The Queensland Reds have named their side for Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash against the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
The only change made to the squad that fell narrowly to the Melbourne Rebels last weekend has been forced, with prop Ben Daley to miss the next four months due to a pectoral injury he suffered during the match.
The former Wallaby, who has been plagued by injury for the last couple of seasons, underwent surgery this week and has been replaced by youngster Pettowa Paraka.
Japanese import Ayumu Goromaru remains on the bench with Karmichael Hunt at fullback as the Reds prepare to play at home for the first time since the sacking of Richard Graham.
“We took some steps forward last week, but there’s still a lot to work on,” co-interim head coach Matt O’Connor said.
“The two things we can address immediately are our discipline and how we start the game. That let us down last week. We’ve certainly got some concrete elements we can improve on as we continue to develop.
“We decided it was important to stick with the team, as combinations are important and we thought there was a marked improvement last week. We’re trying to get the most mileage out of the combinations we’ve had.
“The players are really excited about being back at Suncorp Stadium and putting out a performance they’re proud of.”
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That would be the force and rebels champ
Taylorman
Guest
Just thought I'd check that Eric. Reds last won by 10 points or more on 30 May 2015, the Blues last did it on 2 May 2015. Interestingly...both did it against the Force.
Squirrel
Guest
Go the qld academies
Jimbo81
Guest
Sam Greene to 5/8. Problem solved. He was Cronk's understudy, has the best boot in super rugby and can use 2016 to get ready for finals footy in 2017.
Uncle Eric
Guest
Hold your horses folks, don't forget the X factor, the ref is Andrew Lees. Reds by 10.
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
And McIntyre is going to start taking it to the line and running straight - he promises. Red and blue make ... purple. Purple Rain, purple rain ....
Squirrel
Guest
The most overpaid bunch of individuals in the history of sport . They should be on a 1/10 of what they get. They are hardly sports professionals but pub players. Hunt on $750 k what a farce. Blues by 50
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I do not hold much hope for the side, Daley did improve the scrum when he came on Sef was seriously outgunned not by power but by guile. I watched him get turned every which way by the Weeks. The scrum became a liability for the Reds. However I do not think that the scrum is the major problem with the Reds. IMO the halves need to be looked at very critically. Still MacIntiyre is standing way too deep and on a number of occasions seemed to lose his way not knowing where or who to pass it to. Even though I'm not a fan of Hunt it may be that the Reds might have to shift him to in centre so that he can yell at the halves to tell them who to pass it to. And Matt O'Connor would have to improve his attack fairly rapidly if he is to hold any credence to his ability, so far I've seen nothing that excites me about the Reds attack lines. Going to be a long season I think.
ethan
Guest
Guy can't catch a break! Seems perennially injured...
Dave_S
Guest
Sean, you're completely ignoring the cunning plan, announced last week, to keep Goro on the bench to "provide experience and kick goals as required". The Blues have completely fallen for it, I pity the fools!
Wazza
Guest
But when will Daley play a full season ?? The bloke is perrenially injured ...Now he`s out all super season again..
Locky
Guest
Daley has a habit of long stints on the sidleines ..Time to punt him ??
Sean
Guest
HAHA... Have you seen that blues backline..WOW WEE!!! . It`ll carve up our backline and especially target ANT " RUNNING IN QUICKSAND " FAAINGAA ...
Hello
Roar Rookie
Agree Train - Daley has really improved his scrum work
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
If it ain't broke don't fix it... But seriously, disappointing about Daley. Scrummaged really well in the first two rounds, which was once his achillies heel. That and missing so many games due to injury every year. The scrum was weaker with Sef on the weekend.