What has been billed as a fond farewell to two Queensland greats may also provide a long-awaited welcome to a highly-rated Reds rookie.
Queensland coach Richard Graham has named an unchanged starting side for Will Genia and James Horwill’s Suncorp Stadium swansong on Saturday night against the Chiefs.
Horwill (Harlequins) and Genia (Stade Francais) leave after the World Cup, ensuring this weekend’s Super Rugby clash will be their last for the Reds at their beloved home ground.
However, it may also unveil an exciting debutant after New Zealand-born Japanese Test player Hendrik Tui was named on an extended bench.
The destructive ball runner has finally made a Reds squad after an injury disrupted return from Suntory Sungoliath in the All-Japan Championship.
He was set to miss a number of Super Rugby games due to Japan club commitments but his Reds arrival was delayed even further after breaking his leg for Suntory.
Graham liked the look of Tui, who has played 27 Tests for Japan, since chiming into the Queensland Premier Rugby for Norths in the past fortnight.
“We brought him here obviously because he carried the ball strongly and he’s played two club games now for Norths,” Graham said.
“I’ve watched both those games and his ability to break the line has been impressive.”
Wallabies hooker Saia Fainga’a is also on the bench after returning from a rib injury.
Graham is yet to decide the player he will trim from the interchange.
He has named the same starting side that notched a bonus-point 32-10 win over the Western Force in Perth last weekend.
“Every team wants to build some continuity and that comes through consistency of selection for the right reasons,” Graham said of the Reds who are 12th in the standings in an injury ravaged season.
“Every team goes through their challenges. We’ve probably had a few more than others this year, having given 17 debuts this year to players.
“It was good on the back of a performance last week to give that same group the opportunity to play again this weekend.”
dru
Roar Rookie
And then have a look at the number of NRC and extended Squad players that have had Reds rugby opportunities this year. The year of unparalleled injuries has been unparalleled also for introducing young Aussie players. AND have a specific look at those players who are loose forwards, Reds is chockers with them. Time to see a (hopefully) hard hitting up the guts loosie playing in a Red jersey.
Tigranes
Guest
Hendrick Tui sounds suspiciously Maori - Afrikaaner to me, rather than Japanese.
AndyS
Guest
I assume Tui is there under the Japanese player dispensation and will be playing for their new SR team next year?
James
Guest
Accept that it's professional sport. However there should not be a need to pursue overseas players to fill the rosters. It is just another case showing that our development system is failing and not producing players of the required standing. And all we get from the ARU is talk about increasing support, interest, participation and creating depth. They don't get it!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It must be disheartening for them that they haven't shown enough to warrant selection over a player who was recruited out of Japan. But picking players based on state allegiance rather than merit will do nothing for the success of QLD rugby, and nothing to develop those players to the level they need to be in order to be quality Super Rugby players.
Sailosi
Guest
Aww, the poor little Aussie kids it getting a go. It's professional sport. It should be about the best player regardless of where you are born. There's one way of little Aussie Johnny getting a game, work harder and get better than the player ahead of you.
Greg
Roar Rookie
yep pretty disheartening...
atlas
Guest
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/68747118/Cooper-braced-for-loss-of-star-Taranaki-players Some 'maybes' in there, yes i'd rate them as 'key' for a small province with eight senior teams to select from
ben
Guest
What other key players are taranaki losing? ....and im sure waisake is staying in nz now.
atlas
Guest
Well yes, that may be Plan C. As he says, 'lucky' to have a backup plan. But good luck to him, and the opportunities rugby can offer a young player. Pleased he is to play again for Taranaki in this season's ITM Cup before the Waratahs, as Taranaki attempt to retain the championship won 2014, though losing some other key players such as Waisake Naholo overseas makes it a tough task this year But what about the NRC? No good props there?
ben
Guest
....and if he doesnt make the qantasroos...what next? Manu samoa through his samoan dad?
atlas
Guest
Players play where they can . : . Another one on the move, from Blues and current ITM Cup champs Taranaki Back in Sydney, the club [Waratahs] announced the signing of former New Zealand U20s captain Angus Ta'avao. After 48 Super Rugby appearances for the Blues, the tighthead prop will join NSW on a two-year deal, and will also be eligible for Wallabies duty thanks to his Victorian-born mother. "I wanted to exhaust all my options in trying to be an All Black tighthead but, with Owen Franks and Charlie [Faumuina] there and signed on again for a few more years, and Charlie also at the Blues, there's not much room," he said. "I'm lucky I have other eligibility to explore."
Greg
Roar Rookie
Must be pretty disheartening for young Aussie players with these kind of decisions