Centre Joel Rapana will make his debut for the Queensland Reds among five changes to the Super Rugby champions’ starting team after their embarrassing 61-8 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria.
Rapana comes into the backline for Saturday’s Perth clash with his former team the Western Force, replacing Jono Lance, who suffered a broken leg against the Bulls at the weekend.
That’s the only change to the backline but there are four in the forward pack.
Young openside flanker Liam Gill is promoted to start ahead of Beau Robinson and handed the big task of matching Wallabies star David Pocock at the breakdown.
James Hanson takes over from injured hooker Saia Faingaa, veteran Van Humpries ousts Rob Simmons at lock and James Slipper replaces Greg Holmes at prop.
Wallabies forward Radike Samo has been axed from the match squad, replaced by flanker Eddie Quirk.
Rookie Dallan Murphy retains the five-eighth spot for his second Super Rugby start.
“One of the main areas we are focusing on this week is being competitive at the breakdown and this has been reflected in our selection of Gill and the combination of Beau (Robinson) and Eddie (Quirk) on the bench,” McKenzie said.
“A long-term injury to Jono gives Joel (Rapana) his opportunity and we like what we have seen from him during the short period of time he has spent with the team so far.
“Joel joined the squad in South Africa on relatively short notice but has prototypical size for an outside centre and is a strong defender, so we’re interested to see what he can bring.”
McKenzie said the team was looking forward to the Force encounter after last week’s disappointing loss to the Bulls.
“We reviewed the loss just hours after the game to ensure everyone had a unified purpose and vision about where we wanted to be this week and, at this point, I’ve been impressed with the attitude of the group,” he said.
Rapana relished his new opportunity.
“It has all come about quickly and it’s something I never would have predicted a few weeks ago but I’m excited about the chance and can’t wait to play on Saturday night,” Rapana said.
“All the guys have been great with getting me up to speed so the weekend’s game can’t come quick enough now.”
Queensland Reds: Rod Davies, Dom Shipperley, Joel Rapana, Ben Tapuai, Luke Morahan, Dallan Murphy, Will Genia, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (capt), Van Humphries, James Slipper, James Hanson, Ben Daley. Res: Albert Anae, Greg Holmes, Rob Simmons, Eddie Quirk, Beau Robinson, Nick Frisby, Nathan Eyres-Brown.
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