Queensland Reds announce team for Bob Templeton Cup clash against Waratahs in Sydney
The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their starting XV ahead of their Round 2 Super Rugby Pacific clash against the New South Wales Waratahs at Leichhardt Oval this Friday night.
Co-captain Liam Wright has been ruled out with a shoulder injury which sees Fraser McReight move into the run-on team at openside flanker, while prop Feao Fotuaika will also start in the front row.
Wright’s absence means scrumhalf Tate McDermott will captain his state solo for the first time, with Spencer Jeans potentially making his Queensland and Super Rugby debut off the bench as the Reds look to retain the Bob Templeton Cup in Sydney.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “We’re looking forward to flying down to Sydney this week.
“We were pleased with the win over the Rebels, but we’re a fair bit off where we need to be.
“The Waratahs will be a tough opponent. They’re playing good rugby at the moment. They’re in good form following a big win over the Drua and strong performances in their trial matches. We’re expecting a tough contest down at Leichhardt Oval,” said Thorn.
After a man of the match performance in his side’s Round 1 win over the Rebels, Harry Wilson will partner clubmate McReight and Angus Scott Young in the backrow, with Angus Blyth and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto again starting as locks.
Fotuaika, Alex Mafi and Taniela Tupou form an imposing frontrow trio, while Thorn has named an unchanged backline to take on the Waratahs.
McDermott and James O’Connor will steer the side around the park in the halves, with Filipo Daugunu, Jordan Petaia and Jock Campbell providing strike and flair in the back three.
Hamish Stewart and Josh Flook combine in the midfield as Queensland looks to secure their third-straight win over their historical rivals.
Off the bench, Seru Uru returns to the side, with the versatile Lawson Creighton a chance to secure his second cap after debuting last weekend.
The match will be exclusively broadcast live on Stan Sport, with kick-off set for 6:45pm AEST.
Queensland Reds v New South Wales Waratahs, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, Friday 25 February, 2022, 6:45pm AEST:
Feao Fotuaika – Sunnybank
Alex Mafi – Bond University
Taniela Tupou – Brothers
Angus Blyth – Bond University
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths
Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland
Fraser McReight – Brothers
Harry Wilson – Brothers
Tate McDermott (c) – University of Queensland
James O’Connor – Brothers
Filipo Daugunu – Wests
Hamish Stewart – Brothers
Josh Flook – Brothers
Jordan Petaia – Wests
Jock Campbell – University of Queensland
Replacements:
Josh Nasser – University of Queensland
Harry Hoopert – Brothers
Zane Nonggorr – Bond University
Ryan Smith – Brothers
Seru Uru – Wests
Spencer Jeans* – Bond University
Lawson Creighton – Brothers
Mac Grealy – University of Queensland*denotes potential Queensland and Super Rugby debut
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