Horwill, O'Connor return for Reds

 

Reds head coach Richard Graham has made four personnel changes to the starting side for the match that lost 22-43 to the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend.

 

In the forwards, Horwill returns to the starting lineup after missing last weekend due to suspension. 

 

He replaces Dave McDuling who injured his knee against the Bulls.

 

James Hanson returns to starting hooker after Saia Fainga’a suffered an upper body injury against the Bulls. 

 

In the backs, O’Connor is back on the starting wing, with Chris Feauai-Sautia shifted to the centres and Anthony Fainga’a moved to the bench. 

 

Graham has opted for a five-three split on the reserves bench, with Andrew Ready again in line to make his debut as reserve hooker.

 

Should he take the field, Ready will be the 14th Queensland debutant this season.

 

Graham said his side was looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Cheetahs at their home ground.

 

“This weekend is another fantastic challenge in South Africa. The group delivered some real positives last week but we understand we need to tighten up on a number of areas if we are to get a result against the Cheetahs,” he said.

 

“The team have focused a lot this week on our attacking framework and how we can continue to maximize our strengths from prop through to fullback. 

 

"The four tries against the Bulls demonstrated we are heading in the right direction, however each week in Super Rugby there is a need to evolve.

 

“It is disappointing to lose Saia [Faingaa], Dave [McDuling] and Ben [Tapuai] to injury but we’re fortunate this time around to be able to bring James Horwill and James O’Connor into the side.

 

"Both have a lot of experience at this level and also playing at altitude here in South Africa.

 

“We wanted to give Samu [Kerevi] and Chris [Feauai-Sautia] an opportunity to play together again in the centres.

 

"They have a specific job this weekend in the context of the team’s game plan.

 

"Both are big men and should generate momentum when they have the ball.

 

“Andrew Ready has sat on the bench a number of times but has not yet won a Queensland cap. He has worked hard and has pushed the two other hookers to be better. If he were to take the field it would be good reward. 

 

“The Cheetahs enjoy the game becoming loose, and with the likes of Sarel Pretorius, Cornal Hendricks and Raymond Rhule they are able to capitalise very quickly.

 

Add Heinrich Brussow to that mix and they become a very capable side.

 

“The team are looking forward to getting to Bloemfontein Friday and playing our second game in South Africa before returning to Brisbane.”

 

Reds: 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 James O’Connor, 10 Nick Frisby, 9 Will Genia, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper (captain).

Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Marco Kotze, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Anthony Fainga’a, 22 Campbell Magnay, 23 Chris Kuridrani.

 

Date: Saturday, April 18

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 19.10 (03.10 Sunday, April 19 AEST, 17.10 GMT)

Referee: Jaco van Heerden

Assistant Referees: Quinton Immelman, Lourens van der Merwe

TMO: Shaun Veldsman