Injured Reds call the Doctor to stay in top-four hunt
The Queensland Reds' casualty ward has been full all season so it's fortunate they've found a doctor in their midst.
Dre Pakeho has been arguably the find of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 20-year-old Penrith-born Pakeho is nicknamed Doctor after the famous rapper and producer Dr Dre.
And the No.13 was among the main acts in Friday's crucial Suncorp Stadium win, silencing Blues and 81-Test All Blacks opposite Rieko Ioane.
Usually a No.12, the academy product, who spent his early childhood in New Zealand before returning to Brisbane as an eight-year-old, has flourished at outside centre for the injury-hit side that sits fourth with five rounds to play.
Seven capped Wallabies remain on the sidelines for the Reds, including utility back Filipo Daugunu (leg) and specialist centre Josh Flook (hamstring).
Neither will be fit to face Fijian Drua in Suva this Saturday.
Daugunu could be back a week later to play the NSW Waratahs but Flook is only an outside chance to return for the finals in a blow to his Wallabies hopes.
"I don't think he's going to be here in the season proper at this stage, a bit of work to be done," coach Les Kiss revealed of the 23-year-old Flook after Friday's 35-21 victory.
Kiss would be reluctant to shift Pakeho though, given his blossoming combination with No.12 Hunter Paisami.
His debut in Perth was marked by a nerveless, pinpoint kick for touch that led to their match-winning try and his performance against a star-studded Blues backline on Friday showed that was no fluke.
"He stepped up completely. Great running lines, timing, punching his shoulder through, creating momentum off the ruck," Kiss said of his "superb" outing against the Blues.
"Defensively ... he smoked a guy (Ioane) when he needed to, took the space and really smoked him.
"Some mature moments for a young man … he's standing on his own two feet clearly at the moment."
The Reds (6-3) are two points behind third-placed ACT Brumbies (6-4) and 10 behind joint leaders the Crusaders and Chiefs (8-2), who have all played an extra game.
Away games over the next three weeks, against the Drua, Waratahs and Brumbies, will test a squad hunting a top-four finish that ensures a home quarter-final.
They then close the regular season with home games against the Hurricanes (4-1-5) and Drua (2-8).
* REDS INJURY LIST
Filipo Daugunu, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright.
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