The Queensland Reds have been handed a big boost ahead of their top-of-the-table clash against the Brumbies with skipper Liam Wright to make his return from injury this weekend.
Wright had been sidelined since picking up a syndesmosis injury during the Reds’ pre-season warm-up against the Waratahs, and his return will further bolster the undefeated ladder-leaders with the finals fast approaching.
The flanker has been named on the bench in the only change to the side which demolished Melbourne last week, with Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson remaining as the starting front row for now and James O’Connor retaining the captaincy. Angus Blyth drops out of the side to accommodate Wright’s return, with Seru Uru shifting into the 19 jersey as lock cover.
The Reds’ opponents have also been bolstered at the selection table with the return of their own captain. Allan Alaalatoa is back in the starting front row after serving a three-game suspension, and fellow prop Scott Sio has been added to the bench after some time on the sideline with injury.
Darcy Swain is the Brumbies’ only other inclusion, with Will Miller, who rejoined the squad as an injury replacement player yesterday after retiring last year, not included in the side to face Queensland.
In the early game of the round, the Western Force have made a raft of changes for their trip to face the Rebels. Kieran Longbottom, Jeremy Thrush, Kyle Godwin, Domingo Miotti, Grason Makara, Richard Kahui and Andrew Ready are all back in the side, although coach Tim Sampson will have to trim two names from the squad after naming an extended bench.
Miotti has been given his first crack at the number ten jersey, with fellow flyhalves Jake McIntyre and Jono Lance out of the squad.
Melbourne welcome Lucio Sordoni and Brad Wilkin back into their team among the reserves, but the big selection news for the Rebels comes in the form of a backline reshuffle. Reece Hodge has been moved to fullback so to accommodate former sevens star Lewis Holland in the centres.
Friday, 7:45pm (AEST), AAMI Park
Rebels
(1-15): Cabous Eloff, James Hanson, Pone Faamausili, Rob Leota, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Lewis Holland, Stacey Ili, Frank Lomani, Reece Hodge
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Lucio Sordoni, Steve Cummins, Brad Wilkin, James Tuttle, Tom Pincus, Jeral Skelton
In: Lucio Sordoni, Brad Wilkin
Out: Albert Anae, Thomas Nowlan
Force
(1-15): Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Sitaleki Timani, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Tomas Lezana, Tomas Cubelli, Domingo Miotti, Jordan Olowofela, Kyle Godwin (c), Tevita Kuridrani, Byron Ralston, Jack McGregor.
Reserves: Andrew Ready, Jack Winchester, Angus Wagner, Kieran Longbottom, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Grason Makara, Richard Kahui (two to omit)
In: Kieran Longbottom, Jeremy Thrush, Kyle Godwin, Domingo Miotti, Grason Makara, Richard Kahui, Andrew Ready
Out: Greg Holmes, Jake McIntyre, Marcel Brache, Henry Taefu, Jono Lance
Saturday, 7:45pm (AEST), Suncorp Stadium
Reds
(1-15): Feao Fotuaika, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor (c), Jock Campbell, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Bryce Hegarty
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Kalani Thomas, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu
In: Liam Wright
Out: Angus Blyth
Brumbies
(1-15): James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Tom Cusack, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, James Tucker, Ryan Lonergan, Bayley Kuenzle, Mack Hansen
INs: Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Scott Sio
OUTs: Harry Lloyd, Fred Kaihea, Rory Scott
Tony H
Roar Pro
probably captain-in-waiting..
Tony H
Roar Pro
Yeah Craig...You're totally right. Thorn's a moron, and has literally got nothing right all season. He's team are at the bottom of the ladder, and don't have any hope of doing well... *eye roll*
Ethel McAAVaaarK
Guest
If that is the case with Hoopert why is Angus Bell in Rennies wallaby squad? he can barely hold a scrum up.
James GC
Roar Rookie
Biggest game of the season for the Reds so you don’t rest your key players and there is no way Smith has leap frogged him so you would have to think he is in the naughty chair.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
No. If you read what I said there was no planning for the future. Essentially that means having a younger crop of guys that get consistent minutes off the bench. Foley, Beale and phipps basically never left the field
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G'day Db. "Looking back at all the 12s who were tried at 10 the lesson here is…"not every 12 is suited to moving into the 10 spot. However, I'm not sure how old you are but you might like to have a look at the 12 from the '84 Grand Slam Wallabies then see how he went in the '91 World Cup. It DOES take a special player to handle the 10 role. I think Stewart got "thrown to the lions" early in his career. I think he may be the most under-rated 12 seen in AU rugby for quite some time, but when JOC leaves, I think HS will be the man to lead the Reds from 10.
Beefa
Guest
Are you suggesting Gibson should have punted Checkas world beaters Beale Simmons Robertson Foley Phipps Hooper Folau Hanigan AAC Dempsey TPN and Kepu earlier ?..LOL
Antony Henrie
Guest
If Blyth went to the tahs he`d be in the Wallaby squad ASAP.
Craig
Guest
Massive mistake by Thorn, Hegarty will lose you a game with his poor defence and poor hands. Jock is the Reds best 15 and Dangunu the Reds best 14.Brumbies by 4.
JP
Guest
Has Angus Blyth fallen foul of "Thornes culture " ?
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
In their own home! :happy:
JP
Guest
Matt Toomua has now proved to everyone why he should not be wallaby 10 or 12 .I continue to say his best rugby was 2013 to 2016, He has steadily gotten worse since. JOC Wallaby 10 Lolesio bench, Toomua nowhere near the 23. If rookie test coach rennie wants to beat the good teams he must do it.1 win from 6 starts in 2020 was a very very poor return .He cannot afford to do it again or he will be out the door quicksmart.Rennie must win 4 games or be sacked imo .He has his squad of 50 now no excuses It`s all on him from now on.
Markus
Roar Rookie
McKellar will far more likely continue in development of Rory Scott and Luke Reimer as long term options, both who would have been Aus u20s if Covid did not disrupt. I also rate Jahrome Brown, but injuries look like they could become a real concern for him.
James GC
Roar Rookie
I think Uru might start being used as a super sub for HW@8 or LSL@5 depending on team requirements.
TheTruth08
Roar Rookie
yeah true that. When they start using at Uru at 6, Mcreight or Wright is not going to stay on bench when either one of them can start in the capital.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Gibson held onto what was left of Cheikas world beaters without any thought of the future. He was very short sighted and that was his undoing.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
He's always been OK around the park but there's so much more required by a prop
Markus
Roar Rookie
Keep obsessing over the lineout maul. Here's hoping the Reds do the same, and we get to watch Samu and the Pony wingers burn them down both touchlines again.
James GC
Roar Rookie
Good luck with that you would be better off chasing Tizzano
Adsa
Roar Rookie
I liked his work at the start of the season, he carried well, plenty of energy of the bench.