Western Force hooker Folau Fainga’a deserves a gold medal for trash talk after launching a series of humorous taunts at his former Brumbies teammates leading into their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Perth.
The second-placed Brumbies will be missing eight of their Wallabies stars after making 12 changes to their starting side for Saturday night’s match at HBF Park.
James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright have all been given the day off as part of Rugby Australia’s World Cup resting policy.
Some Force fans have viewed the move as a slap in the face and a sign of disrespect.
Fainga’a, who played for the Brumbies for five years before moving to the Force at the end of last year, can see the funny side.
“I’m sure some of them are being rested at home – I think the big dogs of the team,” Fainga’a said.
“I think they’re sending over the little puppies to do a bit of work for them.
“I sort of expected that. Good old veteran James Slipper doesn’t travel well with his back.
“Allan Alaalatoa doesn’t travel well with his back as well.
“Rob Valetini is probably clutching at his knee thinking there is something wrong, but really he just wants to stay home.
“Wrighty is probably walking the dogs. Nic White – he should have come to check out his new club.
“I think ‘Pistol’ (Pete Samu) is the only one that’s forced to come over – unlucky ‘Pistol’.
“The rest of them can sit back at home and get their necks massaged.”
Folau isn’t taking offence to the resting policy.
“I would’t say they’re under-estimating us,” he said.
“They’re well up there on the ladder and they’ve earned the right to do that.”
The Force have won all four of their games at home this season, and a win over the Brumbies would put Simon Cron’s men in a good position to lock in a finals berth.
Folau feels the trip to Perth will be tough for the Brumbies, and he couldn’t help but fire another pot shot – this time at firebrand Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who has a knack for losing his cool on the field.
“You’ve got to try to acclimatise to the time change (when you fly to Perth),” Folau said.
“That five-hour flight is a bit niggly – that will be niggly on some of the boys, especially Darcy.
“He will probably do something dumb on the weekend, as expected.”
The Brumbies have won 14 in a row against the Force, with their last loss against the Perth-based franchise coming in 2013.
Fainga’a starred in last week’s 34-14 win over Fijian Drua, and says his troublesome achilles tendon is feeling the best it has all season.
