St.George Queensland Reds side to play Western Force
The St.George Queensland Reds have named their side for their first home game of the 2016 season.
Head coach Richard Graham has made two changes to the starting lineup. An ankle injury to Henry Teafu (6-8 weeks) has forced a backline shuffle, with Karmichael Hunt shifting to inside centre and Japanese Test player Ayumu Goromaru making his run-on debut at fullback.
On the bench, Ballymore Kid contract winner Junior Laloifi is in line to make his Queensland and Super Rugby debut after being named as cover for the outside backs.
Graham said his side was looking forward to their first home game of the year.
“This is an important game for us and we’re pleased it is at Suncorp Stadium. We are continuing to build and the support of our home supporters will be important,” he said.
In the wake of Cyclone Winston and the devastation it caused in Fiji, Queensland Rugby has thrown its support behind appeal efforts, with members of the Brisbane Fijian community invited to Saturday’s match to collect donations.
In addition, Fijians Samu Kerevi and Eto Nabuli will auction their playing jerseys following the match. Their teammates Ben Daley, Ben Matwijow and Cadeyrn Neville have also joined the cause, with their ‘Be Great, Do Good’ headgears up for auction following the game. While not in the match-day 23, Reds winger Chris Kuridrani has offered his 2014 debut jersey for the online auction.
The Reds play the Western Force this Saturday 5 March at Suncorp Stadium at 6:45pm (local time).
St.George Queensland Reds v Western Force
Saturday 5 March, Suncorp Stadium
1. Ben Daley
2. Saia Fainga’a
3. Greg Holmes
4. Cadeyrn Neville
5. Rob Simmons (C)
6. Hendrik Tui
7. Curtis Browning
8. Jake Schatz
9. Nick Frisby
10. Jake McIntyre
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Karmichael Hunt
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Ayumu Goromaru (run-on debut)
16. Andrew Ready
17. Sef Fa’agase
18. Sam Talakai
19. Ben Matwijow
20. Michael Gunn
21. Scott Gale
22. Sam Greene
23. Junior Laloifi (potential Queensland/Super Rugby debut)
This Saturday will also see Queensland Under 20s take on the Western Force Under 20s in Round 2 of the Super U20s Championship, as a curtain raiser at Suncorp Stadium at 4:15pm (local time).
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