Milestone for Faingaa
Reds hooker Saia Faingaa will celebrate his milestone 50th game for the Queensland side on Friday when the team recommences their Super Rugby campaign against the Rebels in Melbourne.
The talented hooker has been an integral member in the Reds meteoric rise to championship glory after initially moving from Canberra and the Brumbies to join the Reds in 2009.
Faingaa has enjoyed tremendous success since crossing the border alongside twin brother Anthony with the 25-year-old playing in all 18 matches during the Reds 2011 title-winning campaign while also becoming a Wallabies regular, highlighted by his selection in Australia's 30-man World Cup squad last season.
The Queanbeyan-born talent now has 16 Wallaby caps to his name while he has featured in 76 Super Rugby matches, including 27 games for the Brumbies.
Injury has limited Faingaa's start to 2012, where he has featured in only three of the Reds opening nine games, however he has since regained full fitness to earn selection in the tea'’s four most recent matches leading into the month-long June Test break.
This followed an earlier announcement that twins Saia and Anthony had recommitted to Queensland Rugby and the Reds through until the end of 2013.
"It's very humbling to reach the 50-game milestone for Queensland and to have been part of the Reds revival over the past few years," Faingaa said.
"We've developed a great culture here and I'm excited to see what this playing group can accomplish together, both this season and beyond.
"I said when I re-signed that there is still a lot more I want to achieve in Australia and the Reds are undoubtedly the best place for both myself and Anthony to accomplish our goals. This hasn't changed and to reach 50 games is made even more special in that I'll get to share the experience alongside Anthony and will have him out on the field on Friday.
"The Rebels is an important game for us and the guys are excited to kick things off once again as we make our push towards finals."
Meanwhile, veteran lock Adam Wallace-Harrison has been confirmed as the team's interim vice-captain for the remainder of the regular season with scrumhalf Will Genia to take on the main leadership role following the season-ending hamstring injury to regular skipper James Horwill.
Wallace-Harrison, 32, has played a crucial role for the Reds since returning to Queensland for his second stint in 2011 with his line-out ability and experience allowing the two-metre lock to be a major game-changer in big matches.