Captain James Slipper has been named to start for the Queensland Reds for the first time this Super Rugby season when they host defending champions the Highlanders on Saturday.
Wallabies prop Slipper, who had surgery on his shoulder in the off-season, made his season debut for the Reds off the bench in their loss to the NSW Waratahs before last weekend’s bye.
“He’s worked hard to get himself back on the field and was very pleased to get some minutes against the Waratahs,” interim co-coach Matt O’Connor said.
“You want your most experienced players on the field and James will offer plenty of leadership on Saturday.”
With flanker Liam Gill and now Slipper back to full fitness, the Reds are only missing lock Kane Douglas (knee) from their full-strength side.
The only other change made by the Reds is the return of winger Chris Feauai-Sautia, who missed the clash with NSW due to illness and replaces Junior Laliofi.
“The Highlanders are a dangerous team and we know we cannot afford to give them opportunities,” O’Connor said.
“We have grown in our performances each week and know it will take nothing short of our best to knock off the defending champions.”
Queensland Reds: Karmichael Hunt, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Anthony Fainga’a, Eto Nabuli, Jake McIntyre, Nick Frisby, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Hendrik Tui, Rob Simmons, Cadeyrn Neville, Greg Holmes, Andrew Ready, James Slipper (c). Res: Saia Fainga’a, Sef Fa’agase, Sam Talakai, Ben Matwijow, Curtis Browning, Scott Gale, Sam Greene, Ayumu Goromaru.
Adsa
Guest
Sam Greene needs to come into the equation at some stage this season. We have seen what McIntyre can do, the season is gone for the Reds now so experimenting with the play maker could not hurt the results.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How many Wallabies (Or All Blacks for that matter) that were first choice for the 2015 test season (and as a result played almost all games) are playing well by their standards right now? I'd say there's plenty that are playing below them. Funny that.
pjm
Roar Rookie
There's another lock who's playing well within his skin.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The Reds don't have enough quality players? The following players in their squad were good enough to be in the 23 for a Super Rugby title: Anthony Fainga'a Jake Schatz Rob Simmons Greg Holmes Saia Fainga'a Kane Douglas Liam Gill Ben Daley The following players have not but are capped tier 1 internationals: Chris Feaui-Sautia James Slipper The following were starting players in the NRC's undefeated champions: Nick Frisby Jake McIntyre Caydern Neville Samu Kerevi Karmichael Hunt Hardly a team lacking enough quality in the players. There is pretty much a starting 15 of players who were Super Rugby champions, tier 1 test players, or starting NRC championship players. The problem is a good team, like the 2011 team was described as "greater than the sum of it's parts". This team would be the opposite. Coaching.
Boz the Younger
Guest
It is great to see the running prop back, I hope he makes some metres. I'm not sure about Kane Douglas being on the full strength side any more though, Cadeyrn Neville is playing out of his skin and should keep his spot
RubberLegs
Guest
Shatz is great. He works hard, he is not letting any tries through and he is at the back of the best performing scrum in the Australian conference. Ben Matwijow drops the ball too often. Saia Fainga'a should start. Greene and Gale should be given 30 minutes each. A new backs attacking coach is required urgently.The current backline's attack is woeful.
Old Bugger
Guest
forget mission - he's all about statement(s)......
CUW
Guest
its kind of IRONIC that people are writing about "why australia needs 5 teams " or how australia can have five teams , whe u have teams like reds and force , who just dont have enuf quality players to put on the park - week in week out.
Paul
Guest
Umm, 6?
ClarkeG
Guest
clam down Len - I sense you are on some sort of mission today.
Len
Guest
Aaron Smith should have been in the stand.. Absolute farce SANZAAR !!
WAZZA
Guest
and SCHATZ still at 8 !!! ??? .AAAAAAAAARGH.....No other options i suppose,
Hello
Roar Rookie
Hard not to with the reds at the moment I am still living in hope though:)
pjm
Roar Rookie
I sense a flogging.