St.George Queensland Reds team to play Brumbies in Canberra
The St.George Queensland Reds have named their side to play the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium this Saturday.
Reds head coach Nick Stiles has made a number of changes to the match-day 23 to take on the Australian Conference leaders.
In the starting side, the return of prop Sef Fa’agase from a calf injury has prompted a shuffle in the front row. Fa’agase will start at loosehead prop, with Sam Talakai returning to his regular position of tighthead and Taniela Tupou shifted to the reserves.
The only other change to the starting side from last week’s match sees Lachlan Maranta named to make his run-on debut at fullback, in place of Karmichael Hunt who has been ruled out with the concussion.
Stiles has also made significant changes to his bench, with hooker Alex Mafi and scrumhalf Moses Sorovi in line to make their Queensland and Super Rugby debuts in place of Andrew Ready and Nick Frisby, who have been left out of the 23 and will play Queensland Premier Rugby this weekend.
Lock Izack Rodda has also been named on the bench in place of Lukhan Tui, after recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the game against the Jaguares.
Stiles said: “I flagged at the end of last week’s game there was a need for change and you can see that in the team we’ve selected to play the Brumbies. We’re really happy with the depth we have in the squad at the moment and the competitiveness it is driving within the group for spots.
“It takes 23 players over 80 minutes to win a game of Rugby and we believe this is the team to get us an outcome this weekend. The players who have been named have been rewarded for their efforts on the training paddock and the field.
“There’s obviously some notable omissions in Nick and Andrew. I had a good chat with them early in the week about their performances in recent weeks and about the expectations of the team as a whole. They’re aware of why they’ve been left out of the team this week and I’m looking forward to seeing how they respond at club level this weekend.”
The St.George Queensland Reds play the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium this Saturday 8 April at 7:45 pm. The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
St.George Queensland Reds side to play Brumbies
Saturday 8 April, 7:45 pm, Canberra Stadium
1. Sef Fa’agase – University of Queensland
2. Stephen Moore (C) – University of Queensland
3. Sam Talakai – Brothers
4. Rob Simmons – Sunnybank
5. Kane Douglas – Norths
6. Adam Korczyk – University of Queensland
7. George Smith – Brothers
8. Scott Higginbotham – Wests
9. James Tuttle – GPS
10. Jake McIntyre – Sunnybank
11. Eto Nabuli – GPS
12. Duncan Paia’aua – Norths
13. Samu Kerevi – Souths
14. Chris Kuridrani – GPS
15. Lachlan Maranta (run-on debut) – Wests
16. Alex Mafi (potential Queensland/Super Rugby debut) – Bond University
17. Kirwan Sanday – Easts
18. Taniela Tupou – Brothers
19. Izack Rodda – Easts
20. Hendrik Tui – Norths
21. Moses Sorovi (potential Queensland/Super Rugby debut) – University of Queensland
22. Hamish Stewart (potential Queensland/Super Rugby debut) – Bond University
23. Izaia Perese – Easts
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