Wallabies speedster returns in style, Reds belt Bristol

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Wallabies speedster returns in style, Reds belt Bristol

Wallabies back Filipo Daugunu has scored two tries in his return from a broken leg, helping Queensland warm up for the Super Rugby season with a 82-21 thumping of Bristol.

Daugunu had been on the sidelines since August, when he broke his leg during the early stages of Australia’s loss to South Africa in Brisbane.

The Fiji-born speedster started on the left wing for the Reds in the first game of their United Kingdom tour.

Daugunu, Jock Campbell, Fraser McReight all dined out against an understrength Bristol outfit, with the visitors helping themselves to six tries in each half at Ashton Gate.

Bristol coach Pat Lam, who had 21 unavailable players this weekend through injury or international call-ups, opted to use the fixture as a chance to develop his club’s academy and inexperienced talent.

In sharp contrast, Reds coach Les Kiss included 14 Wallabies in a near full-strength side.

Daugunu, who represented Fiji at underage level in both soccer and rugby then rose up the ranks while playing club rugby in Brisbane, is one of many players with a point to prove ahead of the British and Irish Lions’ tour in July.

The 29-year-old is also among the new faces in the Reds’ squad, having returned to the franchise on a one-year deal after playing the 2024 season with Melbourne Rebels.

“We had about eight or nine new combinations in our team, so for those things to click well for us was nice,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.

“We had good accurate passing, good clean outs, good breakdowns; all the little things that you want to do well.”

Campbell scored a hat-trick in the second half, McReight crossed twice, and Kalani Thomas scored with the first touch of his 50th game for Queensland.

“It’s pretty surreal, I remember getting my first cap against the Waratahs,” Thomas, one of the team’s eight try-scorers, said.

“It’s always good to get a taste of new opposition and experience English footy, and it was amazing to see and hear so much Queensland support in the crowd. I love this club.”

The Reds next travel to Belfast for Friday’s clash with Ulster, the second leg of a two-game *** tour that Kiss hopes will give his team a competitive edge in the season proper.

Queensland start their Super Rugby campaign on February 21, hosting Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium.

It has been 35 years since the Reds toured the ***.

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