Reds century up for Cooper

 

Cooper will start at flyhalf in a Reds side that features four changes from the team that went down 21-35 to the Hurricanes last week.

 

The 50-cap Wallaby made his debut for the Reds in 2007 as an 18-year-old and is now in his eighth season of Super Rugby.

 

In that time, Cooper has become an integral member of the Reds attack, with highlights including leading them to a Super Rugby title in 2011, captaining them against the British & Irish Lions in 2013 and becoming their highest-ever points scorer in Super Rugby after breaking Elton Flatley's record earlier this year.

 

The 26-year-old said he was pleased to reach the 100-cap milestone, but that a win on Friday would make it all the more special.

 

"I'm very proud. 

 

"To play one game for Queensland is a great honour, so to get the opportunity to stay in the game long enough to play 100 games, I'm very fortunate. 

 

"First and foremost for me is focusing on getting a win for the team. I'd much rather the team success come before my own accolades."

 

Reds head coach Richard Graham has tinkered with his side following the loss on the first leg of their tour of New Zealand in Wellington last week. 

 

In the forwards, Greg Holmes and Liam Gill return to the starting lineup. 

 

Holmes is back at tighthead prop, with Ben Daley moving to the bench and James Slipper shifting to loosehead. 

 

Gill is back for the first time since injuring his hamstring five weeks ago and will start at openside flank, with Beau Robinson moving to the bench.

 

In the backs, Rod Davies and Anthony Fainga'a return to the starting line-up, with Jamie-Jerry Taulagi and Ben Lucas to the bench. 

 

Davies will go to left wing and Fainga'a to inside centre, with Mike Harris moving to fullback.

 

"We've made the changes based on performance but also on the team we're playing," Graham said.

 

"Their scrum is very experienced with an All Blacks front row. 

 

"We have made the appropriate changes we feel necessary to give us a strong platform in the early stages.

 

"Beau [Robinson] has performed very well for us as our starting openside, however with Liam's form prior to injury and as a genuine lineout option, I thought it was important to bring him straight into the starting side.

 

"With Anthony Fainga'a back in the midfield, his defence and work ethic is well regarded and he'll do a very good job for us there. 

 

"Mike Harris at fullback provides us with a big body in the back three and also an alternative link to Quade.

 

"For this game, Rod's inclusion in the back three demonstrates a need for experience and he brings genuine speed."

 

Graham added the team needed little motivation to secure an important victory and mark Cooper's 100th cap with success.

 

"It's a special achievement for Quade. 

 

"He displays an enormous amount of pride in the Reds jersey and has thrilled Queensland fans for a number of years now.

 

"We all understand the importance of this game in the context of our season," Graham added.

 

Reds: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Ben Lucas, 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.

 

Date: Friday, May 2

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT, 17.35 EST)

Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)