Latest news with #Pakeho
Perth Now
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
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.
Herald Sun
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Reds centre Dre Pakeho delivering the goods following Josh Flook hamstring injury
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Queensland Reds' Super Rugby premiership pursuit has been aided by the incredible depth at coach Les Kiss' disposal. The most notable player stepping up to the plate this season was 20-year-old revelation Dre Pakeho, who has come out of the woodwork to put himself in the frame for Rookie of the Year honours. His sound 80-minute performance in a 35-21 win over the Blues on Friday, where he bested his 81-Test All Black opposite Rieko Ioane, further entrenched his name in those conversations. 'He stepped up completely,' Kiss lauded. 'He found great running-line timing, hitting the shoulders and punching himself through, creating a bit of a collapsed defence situation which created momentum.' Off the ball, Pakeho — who was signed from the club's Academy late last year — was also a hitman responsible for nullifying a high-class Blues backline which featured Ioane, Mark Tele'a, fullback Zarn Sullivan and Beauden Barrett which made next to no noise. 'He smoked a guy when he needed to. He took the space and really smoked him,' Kiss said. 'There were some really mature moments for a young man.' The Sydney-born midfielder, of Maori heritage, only turned 20 in January and entered the season with no expectations due to Queensland having Josh Flook and even Filipo Daugunu as its No.13 options. But the Reds have been turned to Pakeho following a calf injury to Daugunu and a season-ending hamstring injury to Flook. Kiss said Daugunu will miss the Reds' next clash against the Fijian Drua in Suva but could 'possibly' return against the Waratahs on May 9. Kiss was less optimistic about Flook. 'I don't think Flooky is going to be here for the season,' Kiss said. 'At this stage, there's a bit of work to be done with that hamstring.' It has opened the door for inside centre Pakeho to show his class and versatility at outside centre where he has played 80 minutes against the Chiefs, Brumbies, Blues and Force in the last month. 'He has an edge in his game,' Kiss said in praise. 'We've needed him to step up because we've got injuries in that area and we always focus on who we have got rather than who we haven't.' Lynagh's early double sets up Reds' big win over Blues Originally published as Boom Reds centre Dre Pakeho delivering the goods following Josh Flook hamstring injury
