Reds change two for Brumbies encounter
Chris Feauai-Sautia (centre) of the Reds is seen after he was given a yellow card during the Round 7 Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, March 14, 2020. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **
The Reds have made two changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Indigenous Round clash against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.
Chris Feauai-Sautia returns from a calf injury and will start on the right wing.
It sees Jordan Petaia shift to outside centre to cover for the loss of Josh Flook, who is sidelined following surgery for a dislocated shoulder.
After successfully returning from a knee injury against the Force on the Gold Coast, Harry Hoopert will start at loosehead prop in favour of Jack Straker this weekend.
The Smith twins are officially back together at Ballymore and find themselves as Queensland’s front-row finishing pair in two of three changes on the bench.
Ruan has reunited with his former Queensland team-mates after he was released from his contract at the Rebels, while JP will make his return from a neck injury.
In a further boost, Hunter Paisami has also recovered from injury and takes his place in the 23.
PLAY OF THE WEEK | Super Rugby AU Rd 2@Reds_Rugby Chris Feauai-Sautia with the unbelievable offload to keep the ball alive so Alex Mafi could score and eventually draw the side level to go to our first Super Time.#PlayOfTheWeek #SuperRugby25Years #SuperRugbyAU pic.twitter.com/Ovl15Dl7gg
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) July 14, 2020
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “We’re expecting a good battle against the Brumbies. They’ve proved the top side this season and we’re expecting a tough contest on Saturday night.
“We look forward to being in front of our Queensland fans after playing the Brumbies twice in Canberra this year.
“The bye came at a good time for us with some guys given that extra week to recover from injury. It’s a good boost having Chris, JP and Hunter all back and available to play this week.
“It’s great to see Ruan back at Ballymore. He’s slotted straight back in here and the group has got around him. He brings good experience to our pack at the backend of the season.”
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright (c), 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Harry Hoopert
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Hunter Paisami
Date: Saturday, September 5
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19:20 local (10:20 BST, 09:20 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan