Centre Anthony Faingaa will captain a 28-strong Queensland Reds squad boasting 11 Wallabies in their opening Super Rugby trial against the Blues at Toowoomba on Saturday night.
Faingaa beat a host of contenders vying for the captaincy reins with Wallabies skipper James Horwill (hamstring) still regaining fitness and halfback Will Genia (knee) sidelined.
Faingaa will chime into a near full strength backline featuring playmaker Quade Cooper – six days before he makes his professional boxing debut.
Cooper will combine with Ben Lucas in the halves, Faingaa and Ben Tapuai in the centres, Luke Morahan and Digby Ioane on the wings and Mike Harris at fullback.
Reds director of coaching Ewen McKenzie said he searching for balance in his side.
“There is always a delicate balance in choosing a trial team and it’s important we get our selections right,” McKenzie said.
“The inclusion of so many Wallabies is about being sure we are ready to play the Brumbies in round one.
“We’ve only got two trials before our opening Super Rugby game and we need to get the most out of them.
“Every year there is any number of young players that use these trial games to push their case for selection and by the end of the season become established household names.”
McKenzie is hopeful Horwill will return for the Reds’ second and last trial against 2012 championship-winning Chiefs on February 8 – the same day Cooper makes his boxing debut.
Cooper has been juggling rugby with sparring as he prepares for his much anticipated bout with seasoned fighter Barry Dunnett on the undercard of sport-hopping good mate Sonny Bill Williams’ heavyweight stoush with South African Francois Botha at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Reds squad: Mike Harris, Luke Morahan, Anthony Faingaa (capt), Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas, Radike Samo, Eddie Quirk, Nigel Ah Wong, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Blake Enever, Jono Owen, James Hanson, Albert Anae. Interchange: Curtis Browning, Jarrad Butler, Rod Davies, Saia Faingaa, Nick Frisby, Liam Gill, Greg Holmes, Jono Lance, Tom Murday, UJ Seuteni, James Slipper, Rex Tapuai, Aidan Toua.
Hoy
Roar Guru
You are right. His Hammies seem to blow with the wind. I hope he can get it together. He looks like a prospect. I hope he can fullfill his potential, injury free.
jameswm
Guest
OK forgot about Shipperley. Agreed, Harris is no fullback. I think there are better footballers around, it's his goal kicking that's his trump.
Justin2
Guest
It's a trial, cfs is probably injured again anyway, isn't on the bench. AF deserves the armband, been a brilliant servant and he will look on it as an honor
Chris of Vic
Roar Pro
Got my tickets. Ready to go. No more cyclones/rain forecast. Giddyup, here comes the Rugby season :)
Jiggles
Roar Guru
He's coming back from the hand injury which forced him out of the Wallabies. I'm sure he could play, but why risk it.
Carvin
Guest
Is Shipperley fit?
Dadiggle
Guest
Box kick McKibbon will be captaining the Tahs
Jutsie
Guest
Oh yeah I probably shouldve read the article better
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I haven't heard otherwise. He's on the Bench.
Jutsie
Guest
is lance fit and ready to go?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Massive questions regarding Sautia. When was the last time he strung 2 games together? At age 15 or 16?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Shipperley on one wing and either Morahan or Lance to fullback IMO. Despite Harris being a wallaby, he isn't much chop at 15 and I'd use him as a utility.
Hoy
Roar Guru
You would probably expect Shipperly to come in for Morahan maybe? I agree with WW. They have three centres now and F Sautia waiting in the wings. The current three are all probably better suited to 12, but of the three, Faingaa is better suited to 13. But F Sautia looks a better prospect for 13 if his hammies can hold up.
jameswm
Guest
Captain only for this trial game! Is that a full strength Reds backline, Genia excepted?
WW
Guest
a strange move. with f-sautia i think faingaa's days are numbered... or atleats they were until he was named captain. frankly without genia the reds are going to get smashed anyways!