The St.George Queensland Reds have named their side to take on the Chiefs in their Indigenous Round clash at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds have made two changes to the starting side for the Friday night match.
Wallabies lock Kane Douglas will make his first start for Queensland, after a welcome return from injury via the bench against the Brumbies last week.
Douglas’ return means Australian Under 20s lock Lukhan Tui has been shifted to the reserves bench, after a promising run in the starting side last week.
In the other change to the starting side, an ankle injury to regular flyhalf Jake McIntyre has presented an opportunity for playmaker Duncan Paia’aua to earn his first start in Super Rugby.
Paia’aua came on as an injury replacement for McIntyre at half time last week and looked comfortable in the key role.
The only other change to the match-day 23 sees the return of veteran Anthony Fainga’a, who has been named on the bench.
Reds co-interim head coach Matt O’Connor said:
“It’s disappointing to lose Jake for this match, but we’re confident in Duncan’s ability. He performed well when he came off the bench to cover for Jake in the second half last week and we’re all looking forward to seeing what he can produce against the Chiefs on Friday night.
“The Chiefs are top of the New Zealand conference for a reason.We are well aware of the threats they pose. They are a fantastic footy team.
“What’s important for us is that we put in a performance our fans can be proud of. We’ve had a reasonable run at home this year and we want to continue that in our last two matches at Suncorp Stadium for the season.”
This Friday’s match marks Queensland Rugby Union’s fifth Indigenous Round, which coincides with NAIDOC Week and celebrates the year-round work of Queensland Rugby in Indigenous communities in Queensland.
As part of Indigenous Round celebrations, the Reds have been wearing unique Indigenous training kit all week, which was designed by Reds Generation Next program participant Phillip Yeatman.
Originally from Yarrabah, Yeatman is a member of the Kuku-Nyunkal, Yalanji, Olkola cultural group.
He graduated from Brisbane Boys College in 2015 and is currently studying engineering at Queensland University of Technology.
A portion of all sales of this year’s Indigenous Round merchandise will go toward his education.
The Reds will also unveil a unique Indigenous Round jersey, also designed by Yeatman, at tomorrow’s captain’s run at Suncorp Stadium.
The signed match-day jerseys will be auctioned at www.redsrugby.com.au to raise funds for the Reds Foundation – which supports Queensland Rugby’s diversity programs.
The Reds play the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium this Friday at 7:45pm.
Tickets are still available at www.redsrugby.com.au.
The match will also be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
St.George Queensland Reds side to play Chiefs
7:45pm, Friday 8 July, Suncorp Stadium
1. James Slipper (C)
2. Andrew Ready
3. Greg Holmes
4. Cadeyrn Neville
5. Kane Douglas (run-on debut)
6. Hendrik Tui
7. Liam Gill
8. Curtis Browning
9. Nick Frisby
10. Duncan Paia’aua (run-on debut)
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Henry Taefu
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Chris Kuridrani
15. Jack Tuttle
16. Matt Mafi
17. Sef Fa’agase
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Lukhan Tui
20. Leroy Houston
21. James Tuttle
22. Anthony Fainga’a
23. Campbell Magnay
This season sees the return of charitable initiative ‘Be Great, Do Good’, with Cadeyrn Neville wearing unique headgear each week to support different charities by raising funds and awareness for their cause.
The initiative was founded by Reds prop Ben Daley, who will continue to support the charities despite currently being sidelined due to injury.
This week Neville will wear headgear in support of the Reds Foundation, which has been established to support a number of Queensland Rugby’s diversity programs, including the Reds Indigenous Program.
Learn more at www.redsrugby.com.au.
