The Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels have named their teams for this weekend’s qualifying final in Brisbane, with Dave Wessels opting for the surprise tactic of picking two openside flankers.
Both Brad Wilkin and Richard Hardwick will start in the back row in an attempt to counter the on-ball abilities of Reds pair Liam Wright and Fraser McReight.
“We definitely picked two sevens to put some pressure on the ball ourselves but obviously Brad Wilkin’s is playing really well, and Dickie Hardwick probably had the best game I’ve ever seen him play last week,” Rebels coach Wessels said.
“So, it’s very hard not to pick those guys – I think it’s a case of them almost deserving selection, as much as it is a tactical decision.”
The Rebels also welcome back Andrew Kellaway, who replaces Tom Pincus on the wing, while Sydney University scrumhalf Theo Strang coming onto the bench as backup for starting no.9 Frank Lomani after James Tuttle sustained a hamstring injury in last week’s win over the Force.
Rob Leota and Campbell Magnay are the other additions to the 23, both of whom will come off the bench.
There are no surprises in the Reds’ side, with Brad Thorn naming the same starting XV which comprehensively outplayed the Brumbies last week.
The only changes to the Queensland squad are amongst the reserve front-rowers, where hooker Alex Mafi returns from a hamstring injury in place of Josh Nasser and Jack Straker replaces fellow tighthead Ruan Smith.
Saturday, 7:15pm (AEST), Suncorp Stadium
Reds
1. Harry Hoopert, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Liam Wright (c), 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15. Jock Campbell
Bench: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. JP Smith, 18. Jack Straker, 19. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Hunter Paisami
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Brad Wilkin, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Matt To’omua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Bill Meakes, 13. Reece Hodge, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty (c)
Bench: 16. Efitusi Maafu, 17. Cabous Eloff, 18. Matt Gibbon, 19. Michael Stolberg, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Theo Strang, 22. Andrew Deegan, 23. Campbell Magnay
jameswm
Roar Guru
Ha ha, good point. The DHP one was a bit weird - he could have passed it, but went to ground. And then, it looked like he wanted to stay on!
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
I shouldn't have worried but I wasn't to know that To'omua would provide a try assist for Petaia and DHP would fall apart physically. The Reds' kicking was nowhere near as ineffective as the Rebels'.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
I recall the happy days when Will Genia would field the kick-offs inside his own 22 and immediately put the ball in touch around the halfway mark.
Ex force fan
Guest
Some of these penalties were just wrong. A penalty a game is the price you pay for generating turnovers and slowing down the attack.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
I don't have a horse in this race but what I like about this game is some good young talent which has emerged this season and will be Wallabies candidates will be on display, like the Reds' McDermott, Wright, McReight, Wilson, Daugunu and Petaia. Plus the Rebels' Orr, Uelese and Hosea. The Reds rightfully are favoured but the Rebels have had some games this year when they really looked good, they just never did that consistently. If they are on then they could pull off the surprise.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Because of his very poor performances. Worst 2nd playmaker in the Oz comp by a mile
jameswm
Roar Guru
I didn’t say they were bad. But none is creative for the position they are playing.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I like Wells, he isn't a star but he never lets the team down. Always getting his head into the dark spaces, great attitude in D, he's the kind of guy that is still leading the kick chase late in a match.
Ex force fan
Guest
Any inside info there? Weren’t you his juniors coach at Joondalup? I didn't coached at Joondalup.... Richard's family that are all in Perth and as he is very close to his family, it is reasonable to think that he would welcome an opportunity to come back to Perth. That is if playing at the Force doesn't disadvantage his aspirations to play for the Wallabies. The other AU franchises are signing up players for next year and there is a lot of pressure on players at other franchises to commit. Let's hope that RA will not drag their feet for too long and compromise the Force's ability to field a competitive team next year.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
TWAS, so is it "Hardkin" or "Wilwick"?
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
Why?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I was a fan of Meakes but I don't think he has been good in Super Rugby AU. His short passing has gone backwards, kicking game non-existent, his running lines have been less effective and he seems to both go back into traffic and isolate himself at the same time.
Inside Pass
Roar Rookie
Meakes to me is like Hamish Stewart. Great defensively. Attacks the line and sets up his outside backs so they can shine. Can kick. Not as well as Stewart.
mused6
Roar Rookie
4 of them are internationals. They can’t be that bad.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Wilkin is used a bit. Pone is injured. Cottrell actually is stuck in Melbourne. NSW wouldn’t let him quarantine then join the squad. Leota has been regularly used as the bench back rower for 2 seasons now, he just dropped out when he got injured a few games ago. Kemeney is an odd one in that he’s been given more starts than Leota, but selected in the 23 less.
jameswm
Roar Guru
What backs? How much creativity and sleight of hand is there in the Rebels 10-12-13?
jameswm
Roar Guru
"the Reds will have to handle counterattack by Koroibete, Hodge, Haylett Petty and Kellaway" - I don't know that they will be losing too much sleep over that to be honest.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I struggle with Tuttle - serious lack of speed, esp compared with McDermott and Gordon.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Wessels has gone away from his 6-2 bench too. Leota the only back row sub. And for his two 7s, neither really jumps in the lineout. Are Cottrell and Pone injured? Kemeny? Wells? I got the impression Leota was behind those 3 other backrowers.
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
think the reds will win by a few points after all the rebels only just beat the force last Saturday