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Wallabies fullback Tom Banks returns to the Brumbies in the only change to the side that scored an encouraging win against Highlanders last weekend.
Banks’ return from a facial fracture means Tom Wright is back on the wing.
Scott Sio and Lachlan Lonergan retained their starting spots over Wallaby incumbents James Slipper and Folau Fainga’a following impressive performances.
“We’re quite lucky we’ve got to this point in the season and I feel like a lot of guys are coming off those niggle injuries and coming back into the fold and selection,” said winger Andy Muirhead.
“It gives Dan [McKellar] a bit of a headache but it’s the good headaches you want knowing that the boys are gonna be performing a little bit harder on the training paddock to try and get their position back or hold their position.
“It’s only going to do good things for us in terms of our training performances.”
Queensland Reds head coach Brad Thorn made two changes to his starting XV to take on the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Backrower Angus Scott-Young will make his first run-on appearance since Round 2 after overcoming a knee injury, while Josh Flook will also return to the starting side on the wing in place of Filipo Daugunu.
Off the bench, abrasive lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and the dynamic Seru Uru will also return from injury as Queensland face the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 2018.
Thorn said: “After a few weeks away it’s good to be back home and playing in front of our Queensland fans again.
Join The Roar experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones and special guess Greg Clark for a deep dive into Fijian Drua.
“The Chiefs are a very good side. They’re coming off a big win and will provide a tough opposition on Friday night.
“There’s a big month of rugby ahead against the New Zealanders. There’s some strong competition coming up and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” said Thorn.
Flook starts alongside Suliasi Vunivalu and Jock Campbell in the back three, as Hamish Stewart and Hunter Paisami again combine in the centres. Jordan Petaia, who was expected to miss just last weekend with a hamstring issue, has not been risked again.
Lawson Creighton will make his second Super Rugby start at flyhalf alongside captain Tate McDermott in the halves.
The Waratahs have made four changes to the starting lineup after their tough start last week.
Dave Porecki and Tom Horton have both failed to overcome concussion protocols with Mahe Vailanu named at hooker.
Rahboni Warren-Vosayco is the only other change to the forward pack and will make his first start of the season after some impressive performances off the bench.
Will Harris has moved to the bench for what coach Darren Coleman described as a “bit of a rest”.
“We’re excited to see Rahboni get his start, he’s had an injury-affected start to the season and we’ve seen him string three games together off the bench and make a real impact,” Coleman said.
“It’s great to see genuine competition between positions and I see that selection battle continuing.
“This isn’t about dropping Will – he’s played a lot of big minutes over the past ten weeks, so we also see the benefit of decreasing his game time this week and giving him a bit of rest.”
Lalakai Foketi, after missing last weekend with a family bereavement, returns to the starting team and resumes his devastating partnership with Izaia Perese in the midfield.
“We missed Lalakai’s presence down in Melbourne against the Chiefs,” Coleman said.
“We’re really happy to see him back and he’ll add an extra dimension to our attack with his ball-playing ability.”
Alex Newsome, who has scored three tries in his past two matches, returns to fullback with Will Harrison ruled out for the season with a knee injury suffered against the Chiefs.
Dylan Pietsch has been recalled to the starting team joining Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wings.
Wallabies trio Feleti Kaitu’u, Izack Rodda, and Tom Robertson will make their return to the matchday 23 for the Force against the Blues.
Captain Kaitu’u has fully recovered from a calf injury sustained at training a fortnight ago and is looking forward to leading the team against their first New Zealand opponent of the season.
Rodda returns as starting lock after missing the last two games due to injury and being a COVID-19 close contact, while prop Robertson joins the team for the first time since Round 4 where he sustained a calf injury against the Waratahs.
Bayley Kuenzle will pair up with Kyle Godwin in midfield after a late change ruled Kuenzle out from the Force’s last game against the Waratahs two weeks ago.
Former Chiefs player Toni Pulu will return to the starting side on the wing alongside Manasa Mataele.
Known for his quick thinking and speed, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa returns to the starting line-up at scrum-half, with Ian Prior moving to the bench.
Friday, Suncorp Stadium, 7:45pm
Reds (1-15): Harry Hoopert, Richie Asiata, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Lawson Creighton, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell.
Reserves: Matt Faessler, Dane Zander, Feao Fotuaika, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Kalani Thomas, Floyd Aubrey, Mac Grealy.
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson (c), Kaylum Boshier, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Pohipi, Alex Nankivell, Jonah Lowe, Chase Tiatia.
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Atu Moli, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Mitch Brown, Xavier Roe, Rivez Reihana.
Friday, HBF Park, 10pm
Force (1-15): Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u (c), Santiago Medrano, Ryan McCauley, Izack Rodda, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Bayley Kuenzle, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan/Jake McIntyre.
Reserves: Andrew Ready, Bo Abra, Greg Holmes, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Anstee, Alex Masibaka, Ian Prior, Richard Kahui.
Blues (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luke Romano, Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan.
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Tanielu Tele’a, Jacob Tatumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Saturday, ANZ National Stadium (Suva), 2:35pm
Drua (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Mesu Dolokoto, Manasa Saulo, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Rotuisolia, Meli Derenalagi (c), Vilive Miramora, Te Ahiwaru Cirikdaveta, Frank Lomani, Teli Tela, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Selestino Ravutaumada, Kitione Taliga.
Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Meli Tuni, Samu Tawake, Villiame Rarasea, Joseva Tamani, Simione Kuruvoli, Onisi Ratave, Kitione Ratu.
Highlanders (1-15): Daniel Lienert Brown, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Bryna Evans, Sam Caird, Christian Lio-Willie, Billy Harmon, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Aaron Smith (c), Mitch Hunt, Scott Gregory, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Ethan de Groot, Josh Hohneck, Max Hicks, James Jentjes, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Hugh Renton.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Saturday, Leichhardt Oval, 5:05pm
Waratahs (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Alex Newsome.
Reserves: Tetera Faulkner, Archer Holz, Geoff Cridge, Will Harris, Jack Grant, Ben Donaldson, James Ramm
Crusaders (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Oli Jager, Zach Gallagher, Sam Whitelock, Pablo Matera, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan.
Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Sione Havili Talitui, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Simon Hickey, Dallas McLeod.
Saturday, AAMI Park, 7:45pm
Rebels (1-15): Cameron Orr, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Brad Wilkin, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells (c), James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, Ray Nu’u, Stacey Ili, Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge.
Reserves: Efi Ma’afu, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa’amausili, Josh Hill, Tamati Ioane, Joe Powell, Nick Jooste, George Worth.
Moana (1-15): Abraham Pole, Ray Niula, Sekope Kepu (c), Veikoso Poloniati, Sam Slade, Michael Curry, Alamanda Motuga, Henry Time-Stowers, Ereatara Enari, Christian Leali’ifano, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Henry Taefu, Levi Aumua, Tima Fainga’anuku, Danny Toala.
Reserves: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Londermuth, Joe ‘Apikotoa, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Solomone Funaki, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Solomone Kata
Sunday, GIO Stadium, 2pm
Brumbies
BRUMBIES (1-15): Scott Sio, Lachlan Lonergan, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Caderyn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White (c), Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks.
Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper, Tom Ross, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford.
Hurricanes (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, James O’Reilly, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Justin Sangster, TK Howden, Blake Gibson, Ardie Savea (c), TJ Perenara, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Salesi Rayasi, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett.
Reserves: Kianu Kereru-Symes, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Caleb Delany, Jamie Booth, Aidan Morgan, Billy Proctor.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.