Kuridrani back to face Sharks
Reds coach Richard Graham has made one change to his matchday squad to take on the Sharks in a Super Rugby Round 15 match in Brisbane this Friday.
In the most consistent week-to-week line-up this season, the only change to last week's side – which defeated the Rebels- sees wing Lachie Turner replaced by Chris Kuridrani, due to concussion.
Graham said he was pleased to be able to name a fairly consistent line-up and he hoped the team would build on last week's performance.
"It is nice to be able to reward the group for their performance last week and for the first time this season we have only lost one player to injury," the coach said.
"That in itself is also a bonus as continuity of selection for the right reasons breeds confidence," he added.
"We had a few first-timers last week and they were all strong contributors. Jake [McIntyre] will have gained confidence from his ability to steer the team around, Karmichael [Hunt] will become more familiar in the front line [playing at centre] and Sam Greene's nerves will have settled with 10 minutes off the bench at the back end of the game.
Graham also said flyhalf Quade Cooper was not considered for selection, after it was determined he would benefit from another week of rest before returning from a fractured shoulder blade.
"Quade [Cooper] was pretty close to being available. His fracture has healed and he is training fully with the team. However, we felt it was in his best interests to have another week of strength and contact work."
The Reds and Sharks have met 19 times in Super Rugby, with the Reds winning 10 times.
The two sides have played nine Super Rugby matches in Queensland, with six wins to the Reds.
Reds: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Karmichael Hunt, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Chris Kuridrani, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Pettowa Paraka, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Lolo Fakaosilea, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Ben Tapuai.
Date: Friday, May 22
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19.40 (11.40 SA time; 09.40 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)
