The Reds team has been named to take on the Cheetahs in what will be the Queensland side’s first home game of the year.
Notable changes to the front row have seen Reds hard man Ben Daley getting the nod over incumbent Wallabies prop James Slipper, after slipper was benched early in the second half against the Waratahs.
It will be interesting to see how Daley will go adapting to new scrum rules against Cheetahs number one front row.
Among other changes Mike (laser-boot) Harris earns a recall to the starting line-up after being dropped for the Waratahs match.
He will be paired with young prodigy Chris Feauai-Sautia adding a balanced second-five option with a crash ball running youngster to try and spur some point scoring in the Reds attack.
Rocket-Rod Davies earns his call up from the Reds-A squad after former Wallaby Lachie Turner has succumb to a persistent knee injury.
Rocket-Rod finished the season strong last year but again found himself battling injuries and struggling to hold his starting spot within the Reds attack.
In a match that will be dominated by open play and expansive running, it seems the Reds will be looking to improve vastly on last week’s attempt against the Waratahs.
They will be hoping to keep the ball in hand and beat the Cheetahs with their first home game of the season at Suncorp.
With the Reds contingent exceeding the 30,000 member mark, it’s sure to be a big show out with what’s likely to be an interesting encounter.
The Cheetahs are coming off the back of a hard loss to the Rebels and are currently one win from three starts. They will be looking to regain their good form of 2013.
While on the other side of this bout the Reds will be looking to pick themselves up after receiving their largest loss to the Waratahs in Super Rugby history last week and be looking to gain some ascendancy before they begin their tour of South Africa.
The jury is still out on Richard Graham and he will definitely be looking to impress the local Caxton street cohorts and prove to loyal fans that he is indeed the right man to succeed Wallaby coach Ewen Mckenzie.
Queensland Reds
1. Ben Daley
2. James Hanson
3. Greg Holmes
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Eddie Quirk
7. Liam Gill
8. Jake Shatz
9. Will Genia (vc)
10. Quade Cooper
11. Dom Shipperley
12. Mike Harris
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia
14. Rod Davies
15 Aidan Toua
16. Saia Fainga’a
17. James Slipper
18. Jono Owen
19. Ed O’Donoghue
20. Beau Robinson
21. Nick Frisby
22. Anthony Fainga’a
23. Ben Tapuai
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