Reds star Paisami ‘motivated’ to overcome Eddie Jones’ World Cup snub : PlanetRugby
After missing out on selection to the Wallabies’ 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Reds centre Hunter Paisami will be highly motivated to prove a point in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
The hard-running centre had an injury-ravaged season last year, and after missing out on Australia’s World Cup campaign in France, he is ready to make up for lost time.
Paisami put in a solid performance in the Reds‘ narrow 21-19 defeat to the Western Force in a Super Rugby Pacific warm-up clash at Ballymore on Saturday.
“Obviously, to be ruled out and not be picked (for the World Cup) was pretty disappointing, but I’m looking at bigger and better things for me to try and get better at on and off the field,’ Paisami told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’m pretty motivated and super stoked to try and play some of my best footy for the Reds. (Saturday’s trial against the Force) It was a good first hit-out with a lot of good stuff, and we’re slowly building.
“Les’ [Kiss] gameplan just gives us that freedom to play footy and have a crack on the field, whether we’ve got the ball or not.
“Les has been a massive difference to my game and career this year. He’s given me a lot of confidence to go out there and play my game.”
Despite being snubbed by former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones for the global showpiece, Paisami said being part of the Barbarians’ squad on their tour of Great Britain, helped rekindle his love for rugby.
“Baa-baas was probably one of the best tours I’ve ever done in my career so far; I loved travelling and meeting people, a bit of a mixed team as well with different cultures mixed in.
“It was obviously fun running rugby, and it brings you to the reason why you play rugby, you know, just to enjoy it and have fun.”
When on song, Paisami is brilliant on attack, and he looks set to become new Reds boss Les Kiss’ first-choice inside centre for the 2024 campaign.
Paisami revealed that he spent most of the pre-season training in the number 12 position and is relishing playing in the same position as his rugby hero, former All Blacks star Ma’a Nonu.
“It’s my first full pre-season, I’ve trained at 12 full-time (and) 12 is probably starting to be my preference… that’s where I’m getting comfortable at training.”
“(Nonu)’s probably one of the best players to ever pull on that 12 jersey, just the way he plays with the physicality he brings and his smarts around the game. I’d like to add that passing and kicking into my game.”
