Goromaru to make Reds debut off bench

Star recruit Ayumu Goromaru will make his first appearance for the Queensland Reds off the bench on Friday night against the ACT Brumbies.

Goromaru and his Japan Test teammate Hendrik Tui have both been named as reserves for the team’s second and final pre-season match at Ballymore Stadium.

Karmichael Hunt will again start in the No.15 jersey but it will likely be one of the last times the code-hopper wears it this season, with a shift to the centres on the cards once specialist fullback and goalkicker Goromaru reaches full fitness.

Only one change has been made to the starting side from last week’s 31-3 belting at the hands of the Crusaders, with Wallabies prop Greg Holmes in for his first appearance since last year’s World Cup.

Young front-rower Sam Talakai drops to the bench to make way for Holmes.

The rest of the team is practically Queensland’s first-choice selection, save for long-term injured Wallabies James Slipper and Kane Douglas.

“It’s a good opportunity for us continue to challenge ourselves and the way we want to play this season,” said coach Richard Graham.

“The fact we get to play at Ballymore again is an added bonus.

“We did some good things last weekend but we want to see more from the group Friday night.

“We have been working hard to create pressure and we need capitalise on those opportunities.”

Queensland Reds: Karmichael Hunt, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Henry Taefu, Eto Nabuli, Jake McIntyre, Nick Frisby, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Lolo Fakaosilea, Rob Simmons (c), Cadeyrn Neville, Greg Holmes, Andrew Ready, Ben Daley. Reserves: Saia Fainga’a, Sef Fa’agase, Sam Talakai, Ben Matwijow, Curtis Browning, Hendrik Tui, Scott Gale, Sam Greene, Junior Laloifi, Campbell Magnay, Ayumu Goromaru.