Code convert David Fusitu’a has been drafted into the centres by the Queensland Reds for Saturday’s marquee clash at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma.
Fusitu’a, 31, is not the only player adding maturity to the backline against the NSW Waratahs with a call-up also extended to former Wallabies winger Sefa Naivalu.
Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler is the new skipper of a side still stinging from the last-gasp 29-28 loss to the Western Force last weekend. He will lead an unchanged forward pack in this Round Two clash in Swyftx Super Rugby AUS.
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Backline reinforcements have been called in with centre Izaia Perese (calf), centre Josh Flook (torn achilles) and winger Lachie Anderson (facial fracture) all sidelined.
New Reds Head Coach Vern Cotter has backed experience with Fusitu’a coming in at outside centre and Naivalu, 34, as the new winger.
The 106kg Fusitu’a's impressive yet low-profile education for the past two seasons at the Brothers club has paid off with a starting spot for the Reds which has surprised even the man himself.
Fusitu’a said his main ambition was just to enjoy club footy with less pressure when he ended a decorated, decade-long rugby league career which included 108 NRL games for the New Zealand Warriors and Tests for New Zealand and Tonga.
“It’s been a crazy couple of years. After my time in league ended with Leeds (in late 2024) I knew I wasn’t finished with footy and wanted to give rugby a crack,” Fusitu’a said.
“I made some enquiries through a friend in NZ. He connected me to the Brothers club so I'm in Brisbane by chance. The people there have been really welcoming, I'm enjoying some new friendships and making headway in rugby.
"I’ve really found that love of what grassroots footy is all about.
“I'm pretty aware of the rich history of the Reds and want to rip in at Roma. There's always a bit more in it coming up against NSW.”
Fusitu’a was celebrating a premiership with Brothers less than a month ago in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup grand final.
Naivalu’s comeback is from the clouds. He made some explosive cameos off the bench for the University of Queensland this season but he has really been picked on his continuous play for French clubs since his 13 games as a Red in 2019.
His thirst for the game runs deep. He was even prepared to have a gallop in the Vintage Reds side against the Roma Echidnas on Saturday at the Santos Festival of Rugby until brought into the Reds squad this week.
Off the bench, there will be a chance for Norths fullback-winger Alex Flanagan Smith.
The Reds must win this second match in the Super Rugby AUS series and the match against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on September 27 to have a shot at qualifying for the final.
Cotter is looking to build on the positives against the Force and give his squad good exposure with 10 players allowed on the bench throughout this series.
“There was some real good stuff content-wise in that first game. We just have to be more consistent by putting one good cycle of play on another,” Cotter said.
“There was plenty of effort, a lot of chances created and the right frame of mind.
“The Waratahs are a big forward pack so we’ll have to up our play. It’s the old foe. We are really looking forward to getting out to Roma and seeing our fans.”
The Reds and Waratahs will get an early chance to meet supporters at the Street Party in Roma, from 4:30pm on Friday, before all the action kicks off the following day at Gallas Fox Park.
Swyftx Super Rugby AUS
Saturday, September 19
Gallas Fox Park, Roma
5:45pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport and free-to-air on rugby.com.au and YouTube
Queensland Reds
1 George Blake – Bond University
2 Matt Faessler (c) – Brothers
3 Nick Bloomfield – Easts
4 Will Ross – Brothers
5 Charlie Brosnan – Brothers
6 Tom Robinson – University of Queensland
7 John Bryant – Souths
8 Joe Brial – University of Queensland
9 Mosiah Christian – Norths
10 Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland
11 Sefa Naivalu – University of Queensland
12 Josh Takai – Brothers
13 David Fusitu’a – Brothers
14 Tim Ryan – Brothers
15 Will McCulloch - Norths
Replacements
16 Zac Hough – University of Queensland
17 Harrison Usher – Bond University
18 Trevor King – Souths
19 Dom Thygesen – Wests
20 Vaiuta Latu – Brothers
21 Cooper Stewart – University of Queensland
22 Ben Volavola – Sunnybank
23 Jake Pappin – Easts
26 Kenny Harris – Bond University
28 Alex Flanagan Smith – Norths
4:30pm-8pm: Free street party on McDowall Street. Live entertainment, food trucks, rugby games zone, player appearances and more
9am: Gates Open
9:30am: Queensland vs. NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 1
10:00am: Queensland vs. NSW Under 19s
Noon: Queensland vs. NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 2
12:30pm: Classic Wallabies Coaching Clinic
1:30pm: Queensland vs. NSW (Women’s 7s) Game 3
2:00pm: Vintage Reds vs. Roma Echidnas
3:30pm: Queensland vs. NSW (Women)
5:45pm: Queensland vs. NSW (Super Rugby AUS)
Gates Close at 9pm
