Wallabies centre Josh Flook will make his long-awaited comeback for the Queensland Reds against the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Flook has been selected to play his first match for the Reds since successfully repairing the hamstring injury he suffered against the Western Force on March 1 in Round Three.
The 55-game Reds regular will reboot his midfield partnership with Hunter Paisami for this final regular season match in SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific. Elsewhere in the backline, Tim Ryan comes onto the wing.
The Reds have selected an unchanged pack from the unit which played against the Hurricanes at the same ground last Friday.
Flook said he was excited to play his comeback match in the same week as the announcement of his contract extension for the 2026 season.
“I’ll just be loving every moment out there,” Flook said.
“I’ve rehabbed it really well and can’t speak highly enough of the rehab staff at the Reds. I’m back 3-4 weeks earlier than we were initially thinking.
“I ticked some boxes speed-wise last week and progressed from there.
“I was devastated when the injury first happened. It’s been a long process to get back but a good one.
“I’ve loved watching the boys this year. It’s been difficult but they’ve played some really good footy.”
Flook said the Drua would be unpredictable opponents at Suncorp Stadium.
“The Fijians are dangerous all over the park. They have props and hookers who run faster than some backs.
They have backrowers who are like wingers. They play up tempo and chance their hand so we have to be on our game,” Flook said.
The Reds will wear the Indigenous jersey, designed by former Reds women's prop Madi Schuck, as one of the highlights to the Queensland Rugby Union's 14th annual Indigenous Round.
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said Flook’s return was a positive at this stage of the season.
“We welcome back ‘Flooky’ and his partnership in the centres with Hunter (Paisami). It has always been a strong point for us,” Kiss said.
“Flooky adds a calm and controlled voice in that crucial outside centre channel.
“Filipo (Daugunu) will have impact off the bench this week. Dre (Pakeho) has been excellent for us and has played the fifth most minutes of any player this season. This weekend is a chance for him to refresh.
“The Drua are always a dangerous opponent as we found out in Suva earlier this month. We can’t drop our guard.
“The team's leadership group made the strong point this week that Suncorp Stadium is our home and this is the last chance (in the regular season) to show who we are and how much our fans mean to us.”
Easts' former Australian Under-20s prop Nick Bloomfield, 21, will be on the bench to follow up his Reds debut in the final minute of last Friday's match against the Hurricanes.
Saturday, May 31
Suncorp Stadium
7:35pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport and 9Gem
1. Sef Fa’agase - Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High – Beaudesert Warriors
2. Richie Asiata - Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
3. Zane Nonggorr - Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
4. Josh Canham – Bond University - Brighton Grammar, Melb - Harlequins RC, Melb
5. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
6. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
7. Fraser McReight (vc) – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (c) - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Flinders RC
10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond RC, UK
11. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland - Manukau Rovers
13. Josh Flook – Brothers – Nudgee College - Brothers
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC, Sydney
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts
17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
18. Nick Bloomfield – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School - Easts
19. Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach RC
20. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
Unavailable through injury: George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Matt Faessler, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Alex Hodgman, Will McCulloch, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Liam Wright
