Feauai-Sautia wings it for Reds
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Talented outside back Chris Feauai-Sautia has returned from injury and will start at left wing when the Reds take on the Brumbies in Brisbane on Friday.
Feauai-Sautia will make his first appearance since injuring his hamstring in Johannesburg before the 20-23 loss against the Lions three weeks ago.
The 20-year-old, who has two tries in two Test Matches for Australia, replaces Jamie-Jerry Taulagi who moves to the replacements bench after a lively debut last week.
Feauai-Sautia gets his first start on the wing for the year after starting previous games at outside centre, but is no stranger to the position and having played there for the Reds and Australia before, and Reds coach Richard Graham is confident he can make an impact out wide.
"Chris [Feauai-Sautia] has worked hard during the past four weeks and looks in really good shape.
"His explosive running will be an asset for us," Graham said.
The only other change that Graham has made to his starting line-up to face the Australian Conference-topping Brumbies is in the centres where Anthony Fainga’a will start at inside centre in place of Mike Harris.
Harris complained of Achilles tendon soreness following last weekend’s match and may be named on the Reds’ replacement bench later in the week.
If Harris is not deemed fit for this weekend’s match, 25-year-old lock David McDuling will be named on the bench in what would be his Reds debut.
Graham says that they will give Harris as much time as he needs and a decision will only be made on his availibility just before the match.
"Mike pulled up sore on Sunday morning with an Achilles problem. I have bracketed him on the bench but won’t know until Friday as to whether or not he’ll be available," Graham said.
"We are fortunate to have Ant [Fainga’a] as a straight replacement.
"He brings a lot of experience to the midfield having been with the Reds since 2009 and capped 23 times for the Wallabies.
On the bench, Saia Fainga’a returns to the matchday-23 after a shoulder injury ruled him out of the last two games. Should the hooker make the field, it will be his 100th Super Rugby appearance.
"Saia has done everything required of him during the week and will be a good addition to the game when required. He will potentially play his 100th game of Super Rugby of which 73 are for the Reds.
"The chance to share it with his brother will mean a lot to the both of them," Graham said.
Reds: 15 Ben Lucas, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Anthony Fainga’a, 11 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Curtis Browning, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Mike Harris/Dave McDuling, 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
Date: Friday, April 11
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
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