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.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
You wouldn't have copped an email from me. While I am a fan of Daley he is not performing so he shouldn't be in the team. When Holmes came on last week his impact at LHP was immediate and noticeable. The Reds scrum was the only area of the game in which they got on top of the Bulls, and it was Holmes work in-particular that was noticeable. Not sure what is going on with Shepherdson, although I can't say I am such a big fan of his, but he does the work competently enough. Daley is young, so he needs to go back and work on his craft, I have faith he can make it back.
Markus
Guest
I copped an earful last week for daring to suggest that Daley was off his game and should not start, and that Holmes would struggle in a position he shouldn't have been picked in. I was hoping to be wrong. If he wanted to rest Slipper he should have taken a tighthead on tour. What's happened to Shepherdson?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Eh Daley was weak again last week and Holmes just not as good at THP. Holmes when playing at LHP has been the best in Australia this year by a country mile. Not sure what Link is getting at.
rl
Guest
KPM, just getting some good front foot ball would be a start for the Reds. You can have the best backline in the world but if they aren't getting good ball, its over.
Markus
Guest
I feel bad for Hodgson. If he was 5-6 years younger he'd have a fairly fruitful Wallabies career. But being on the wrong side of 30, and with several young prospects coming through the ranks at present (Hooper, Gill, C Faingaa, Alcock), I can only see him getting further time with the Wallabies through a long list of injuries.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
peterlala I think the problem with the Reds was what they didn't do rather than what they did do. There was no good fly-half, good centres or very good back three players aside from arguably Davies and so there was no attack and no points and no engagement in the game. There's no obvious way back from that with all their injuries.
Blue Blood
Guest
I think it is telling that they aren't playing Robinson against Pocock. If even his own Super coach doesn't think he is up to the challenge with Pocock and Hodgson on the pitch, perhaps we can put to rest the thought that Deans should think of him as a Wallabies 7. And I agree that Samo (like Higgers) is too lazy and loose to play at he breakdown against teams like the Force who love this part of the game. Especially with Hodgson playing at 8 at the moment. He is smart, fast and is staring at the breakdown this year (if you don't listen to the commentary who keep calling his turnover's as Pocock's.)
peterlala
Guest
Ewen McKenzie said his focus is on the breakdown...I think that focus led to Radike Samo being axed. To me, he's too loose and lazy.
Rusty
Roar Guru
Surprised at dropping Samo - should another cab fall off the rank he covers a lot of positions
Deez
Guest
Good to hear they've decided to change up the forwards, but I'm not sure slipper will provide any more than Holmes. Hope they found some starch during the week - need to get that underdog determination back. And teach Murphy how to tackle. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.