Reds change two for Brumbies clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their starting XV for their final match of 2019 against the Brumbies at GIO Stadium Canberra on Saturday.
Harry Hockings will start at lock in favour of Angus Blyth, while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto returns from his Wallabies rest match and slots into the back row seeing Angus Scott-Young shift to No.8.
Scott Higginbotham drops to the bench in one-of-three changes to the reserves with Caleb Timu and Sefa Naivalu both back in the Reds’ 23 for this weekend.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “The Brumbies are in good form. It’ll be a tough contest down in Canberra. It’ll be a good challenge to finish the year.
“It’s good to have Lukhan Salakaia-Loto back. He sat out last week as requested by Rugby Australia. Harry Hockings comes into the starting side at lock and Angus Scott-Young moves to number eight.
“Tate McDermott is still recovering from an ankle injury. Scott Malolua continues to impress. He’s played two matches for us now and hasn’t looked out of place,” said Thorn.
A victory on Saturday would see the Reds reclaim the Rod Macqueen Cup following Queensland’s 36-14 win at Suncorp Stadium in Round Six.
Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Matt McGahan, 9 Scott Malolua, 8 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Gav Luka, 19 Caleb Timu, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Sefa Naivalu.
Date: Saturday, June 15
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.45 (09.45 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)
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