Former Fijian Under-20 back-row Seru Uru is tipped to be the next big thing for Australian rugby.

Australian Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie told Wide World of Sports, that he is ‘very excited’ about the potential of Uru, who has played well for the Reds this season at both lock and No.8.

Rennie viewed Uru as a Test option at either No.8 or blindside flanker.

“Reasonable size but a really good athlete. Keen to learn more about him,” he said of Uru.

In 2017, Uru was named Fiji Rugby’s Under-20 player of the year.

He played for Ratu Kadavulevu School when they won the 2015 Deans Trophy. Uru is the son of former Fijian 7s start forward Tuidriva Bainivalu.

The Namoli, Lautoka, native has been named in the Wallabies 40-member squad for the 2021 season.

On Saturday night, he came in as a sub as the Reds walloped Rebels 44-19 in a Super Rugby AU clash at the AAMI Park in Melbourne.

Flying Fijians halfback Frank Lomani was moved to the wing and scored Rebels first try after running into a Matt Toomua pass.

Brad Thorn’s Reds finished with six tries to three and always had control of the match to leapfrog the ACT Brumbies by four points at the top of the standings after six rounds. It was the Reds’ biggest winning margin over the Rebels in Melbourne and marks them as the team to beat this season.

Led by Wallaby James O’Connor with 14 points and two tries from hulking tight-head Taniela Tupou, the Reds were too big and strong for the Rebels.

We must win in Dunedin: Blues coach

Second-half tries from TJ Faiane and Mark Telea have earned the Blues a hard-fought 27-17 win over the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Aotearoa at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday night.

Leon MacDonald’s coached side missed out on the bonus point when Reed Prinsep scored a late try for the Hurricanes as the Blues closed the gap on leaders the Crusaders to four points.

“We’re still in the fight,” MacDonald told Super Rugby Aotearoa

MacDonald knew going in that this was a big match for his side, following on from Good Friday’s Highlanders upset over the Crusaders.

The gritty, undermanned southerners had prised the door ajar, and the Blues were, eventually, good enough to wedge their foot in as well and open this Super Rugby Aotearoa championship race back up.

“All of a sudden it has opened it right up. They (the Highlanders) must be brimming with confidence, and we’ve got to travel to Dunedin to take them on at home (after bye week), and that’s going to be a big battle for us.”

Scorers: Blues 27 (TJ Faiane, Mark Telea tries; Penalty try, Otere Black 2 con, 2 pen) Hurricanes 17 (Reed Prinsep try, Jordie Barrett 4pen). HT: 10-9

Edited by Jonathan Bryce 

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