St.George Queensland Reds announce Round 2 team against Lions in Johannesburg
The St.George Queensland Reds have made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s match against the Lions in Johannesburg.
Utility back James O’Connor switches from inside-centre to flyhalf in what will be his second start in the Reds’ number-10 jersey after he made his Queensland debut in the same position back in Round 3 of the 2015 Super Rugby season.
Hamish Stewart comes off the bench and slots into the vacant number-12 spot, while lock Izack Rodaa will also earn his first start of the season.
Alex Mafi will start at hooker following an ankle injury to Brandon Paenga-Amosa during last week’s clash in Canberra.
Following consultation in Brisbane, Paenga-Amosa will be sidelined for the next six-to-eight weeks after suffering ligament damage.
In one-of-four changes to the bench, potential Super Rugby debutant Sean Farrell comes into the 23 as a replacement at hooker
Prop Josh Nasser has also been brought-in this week, and like Farrell, could possibly make his Queensland debut as well.
While lock Angus Blyth and utility back Isaac Lucas will both come-on as finishers in Saturday’s Round 2 fixture.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “We’ve got a tough game against the Lions at Ellis Park. They’ve been a good side over the past half-decade, and it’ll be a tough contest.
“We arrived in Johannesburg reasonably early after the Brumbies game. Since being here we’ve been acclimatising and started our preparation.
“As far as this trip – a round the world trip, no other sport really does it, let alone a contact sport. So, if you can get a victory on this trip you can call that a success,” said Thorn.
Queensland play the Lions on Saturday night at 11:05pm AEST and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
The Reds next travel to Argentina to take on the Jaguares in the final leg of their three-week road trip, before returning home to host the Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 22 February.
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St.George Queensland Reds v Lions – Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg on 8 February at 11:05pm AEST
- JP Smith – GPS
- Alex Mafi – Bond University
- Taniela Tupou – Brothers
- Izack Rodda – Easts
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths
- Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland
- Liam Wright © – Easts
- Harry Wilson – Brothers
- Tate McDermott – University of Queensland
- James O’Connor – Brothers
- Henry Speight – Bond University
- Hamish Stewart – Brothers
- Jordan Petaia – Wests
- Jock Campbell – University of Queensland
- Bryce Hegarty – GPS
- Sean Farrell* – Souths
- Dane Zander – Norths
- Josh Nasser* – University of Queensland
- Angus Blyth – Bond University
- Seru Uru – Easts
- Moses Sorovi – Wests
- Isaac Lucas – Sunnybank
- Hunter Paisami – Wests
*denotes potential Super Rugby and Queensland debut
