McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City Head Coach Mick Heenan has made two changes to his starting side for Sunday’s National Rugby Championship (NRC) clash against Bond University Queensland Country at Sci-Fleet Stadium, Wests Rugby Union Club for the Andy Purcell Cup.
Zach Moimoi and Matt Gicquel come off the bench and into the XV this weekend, replacing Jale Vakaloloma and Fraser McReight at lock and flanker respectively.
Brisbane City’s backline remains the same for the first time this season, while there’s five changes to the bench with Feao Fotuaika, Tuaina Tualima and James Dalgleish all recalled into the 23.
After a tough start to the season, Heenan has praised his squad’s resilience who are now aiming to record a third-straight win this weekend. “If you want to keep on improving your performance it’s important to build cohesion,” Heenan said.
“We’ve only changed two people, but both of those guys (Moimoi and Gicquel) have had plenty time off the bench for us so they know the team pretty well. “We’ve been improving steadily through the season. We took another step forward in the second half against the Rising on Saturday. We played some really good footy in attack last week and we defended really well when it counted and we’re looking to build on that.
“This is always a big match in the calendar for everyone involved. Queensland Country are virtually a professional team. We’ve got a couple of Reds players and the club guys have really stepped up for us over the last two weeks and they’ve got a point to prove,” Heenan added.
In the fifth year of their annual NRC derby – City holds a 3-1 advantage over Country, who currently hold the Andy Purcell Cup following their maiden win over City in 2017.
Brisbane City’s next home game is in Round 7 against the Canberra Vikings at David Wilson Field, Easts Rugby Union Club in Coorparoo.
Sunday’s derby against Queensland Country kicks off at 3:00pm AEST at Sci-Fleet Stadium, Wests Rugby Union Club in Toowong and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City team to play Bond University Queensland Country at 3:00pm (AEST) Sunday 30 September – Sci-Fleet Stadium, Wests Rugby Union Club.
1. JP. Smith – Reds/GPS
2. Moli Sooaemalelagi – Sunnybank
3. Ruan Smith – Reds/GPS
4. Zach Moimoi – Bond University
5. Nathan Den Hoedt - Sunnybank
6. Adam Korczyk – Reds/University of Queensland ©
7. Matt Gicquel – GPS
8. Sam Wallis – University of Queensland9. Scott Gale – University of Queensland
10. Quade Cooper – Reds/Souths
11. Jaye Thompson – GPS12. Matt Gordon – Easts
13. Tautalatasi Tasi – Souths
14. Con Foley – University of Queensland
15. Karmichael Hunt – Reds/Souths
16. Sean Farrell – University of Queensland
17. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland
18. Feao Fotuaika – Souths
19. Jale Vakaloloma – Easts
20. Tuaina Tualima – Sunnybank
21. Fraser McReight – Brothers
22. Moses Sorovi – Reds/Wests
23. James Dalgleish – University of Queensland
