Tapuai in for settled Reds
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Ben Tapuai is the only change to the Reds starting line-up for their Round Six Super Rugby clash against the Lions on Saturday.
The seven-cap Wallaby Tapuai slots into the starting team at outside centre replacing Chris Feauai-Sautia, who suffered a hamstring injury during training.
Feauai-Sautia has returned home to Brisbane to undergo scans.
Reds head coach Richard Graham has also made two changes to the replacements bench – both forced by injury.
The first change sees Albert Anae coming in to the 23-man matchday squad to provide cover at prop in place of the injured Ben Daley.
Either Anthony Fainga'a or Ben Lucas will fill the number 22 jersey that Tapuai vacated – with the decision to be made following training on Thursday.
Daley suffered a medial ligament injury in his knee in last week's 20-35 loss to the Sharks in Durban, and will be out of action for six weeks.
Graham said his team had prepared well despite the setbacks and was looking forward to the contest in Johannesburg.
"The Lions have been one of the form teams in the early rounds of Super Rugby.
"They are a young, energetic team who fight and scrap for everything.
"We arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday to ensure we had a good week of preparation.
"Unfortunately we lost Chris [Feauai-Sautia] yesterday, but the players have trained well and we understand the importance of this game.
"We have spent a large part of the week focusing on our own game and wanting to improve certain aspects around the contact areas," Graham added.
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Lachie Turner, 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 Albert Anae, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Anthony Fainga'a/Ben Lucas, 23 Dom Shipperley.
Date: Saturday, March 22
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT, 01.05, Sunday, March 23, AEST)
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Francois de Bruin (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
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