Reds unchanged for Chiefs
Comments
0
Reds' head coach Richard Graham has showed faith in the team that beat the Force last week for their penultimate game against the Chiefs in Brisbane on Saturday.
The game will also mark centurions Will Genia and James Horwill's final appearence in front of their home crowd.
The only changes to the matchday squad comes on the reserves bench with return of Saia Fainga’a from a rib injury and the potential debut of New Zealand-born Japanese Test player Hendrik Tui, who has recovered from a broken leg suffered while playing in Japan.
Graham has named an extended nine-man bench, with one player to be omitted before kick-off.
Graham said it was good to be able to reward them for their win over the Force with consistency in selection.
“It’s a good position to be in. The team have performed well and we have a clean bill of health,” he said.
“The run home is an important one. We want to finish the season as well as we can. That is the most important focus we have as a team right now.
“Obviously there are other things going on around the game but all the team can focus on is what we control and that is our preparation and attitude.
“Playing their last home game is a big occasion for James [Horwill] and Will [Genia] given their 10 years playing with the Reds, however we all know that what will make the night a lasting memory is the performance of the team.
"That is the best way to show the guys how much they value their contributions.
“We are hopeful of a big crowd. There are a lot of people who will not only remember the boys for their service to Queensland but also their leadership and play when the Reds won the 2011 championship. Add the Chiefs to the mix and it’ll be a fantastic game at Suncorp Stadium.”
With a combined total of 232 caps for Queensland, Genia and Horwill are considered two of the modern greats of the Reds.
They first played together for the Reds against the Crusaders in Round Two of the 2007 Super Rugby season and have gone on to become the most-capped Reds players in their respective positions in Super Rugby.
The pair were captain and vice-captain together for five seasons, including the 2011 Super Rugby championship.
Horwill is also the most-capped captain in the team's history, having led the Reds on 69 occasions over eight seasons, before relinquishing the title to incoming skipper James Slipper this year.
Reds: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Karmichael Hunt, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Quade Cooper, 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 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Pettowa Paraka, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Hendrik Tui, 22 Nick Frisby, 23 Ben Tapuai, 24 Jake McIntyre.
Date: Saturday, June 6
Venue: Suncopr Stadium Brisbane
Kick-off: 19.40 (21.40 NZ time; 09.40 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant referees: Rohan Hoffmann, Andrew Lees
TMO: George Ayoub
ADVERTISEMENT
