Wallabies winger Digby Ioane and fellow Test backs Ben Tapuai and Mike Harris are all in doubt for the Queensland Reds’ Super Rugby clash with the winless Highlanders in Dunedin on Good Friday.
The Reds trio were all undergoing scans on Monday after pulling up badly following Queensland’s 23-18 victory over the Bulls on Saturday night.
Ioane has a knee problem while inside centre Tapuai and utility Harris both have hand injuries.
Coaching boss Ewen McKenzie said the scans were precautionary but admitted there were concerns whether they would make the trip to the South Island on Thursday.
The Reds have winger Dom Shipperley available again after overcoming a back problem and he’d be a likely replacement if any were to be ruled out.
Skipper James Horwill produced an encouraging first-half return against the Bulls and will be able to play for an hour against the Highlanders, while halfback Will Genia says he’s ready for an 80-minute display in his third game back from a knee reconstruction.
McKenzie will become the most-capped Super Rugby coach at Forsythe Barr Stadium as it will be his 121st match in charge, breaking Robbie Deans’ record.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Hmm, lets look this week. I'm not saying he shouldn't be there...maybe I'm expecting too much.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
That's a very strong team, only lacking Digby. If that team can't win in Dunedin, I don't think any other Reds team will. Good to see Ben Daley back in the 22.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
I think you may be Adam. He's actually very quick off the mark and is a good line runner. I've been watching him since under 15s and he's been doing that since then.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Taps... Am I the only one who thinks he is slow off the mark on offense and doesn't run lines? All his breaks seem to be made from a standing start and he twist through lines rather than hitting gaps. This leaves him often unsupported when he gets taken down.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
St.George Queensland Reds team to play the Highlanders 1. Greg Holmes 2. James Hanson 3. James Slipper 4. Rob Simmons 5. James Horwill (c) 6. Eddie Quirk 7. Liam Gill 8. Jake Schatz 9. Will Genia (vc) 10. Quade Cooper 11. Luke Morahan 12. Ben Tapuai 13. Anthony Faingaa 14. Dom Shipperley 15. Jono Lance 16. Albert Anae 17. Ben Daley 18. Ed O'Donoghue 19. Jarrad Butler 20. Ben Lucas 21. Aidan Toua 22. Rod Davies
Harry
Guest
Team announced ... Digby and F'Sautia out, but pretty useful replacements - Shipperly and Morahan, and Ben Lucas and Rocket Rod onto the bench. Gill back. Daley back and will start on the bench. Good looking side though would prefer Samo in there somewhere. IS the old boy injured or Link not picking him?
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Yep, can't disagree with any of that FOS. Tapuai is getting better each outing, must surely be a Wallaby bolter...there again, if the Waratahs win another one, there goes the aspirations of any Reds or Brumbies player ;)
formeropenside
Guest
agree, but Ioane was missed against the Force - he seems to be one of those players who usually gets what Cooper will do next. Tapuai was huge v the Bulls: he's the best 12 in Australia by far. Mind you, Jono Lance or AF can fill that gap at 12 pretty well for the Reds, presumably with Morahan to 15, Ships to one wing, and CFS getting a reprieve to play 13 perhaps.
mania
Guest
good to see horwill and genia back and tbh they're more vital to the reds campaign than ioane, tapuai and harris