Experienced hooker Matt Faessler has been installed as captain by the Queensland Reds for Sunday's clash against the Western Force in Perth in Super Rugby AUS.
The role is recognition of Faessler's leadership and seniority in the Reds camp as the team faces their final regular season match in the new competition.
He steps up for skipper Jock Campbell, who injured his hamstring in last weekend's 47-19 loss to the NSW Waratahs in Narrabri at the Santos Festival of Rugby.
Faessler made an encouraging 40-minute return from a calf injury in that game. He scored a try himself and made a linebreak in the lead-up to another.
The Reds have made a number of changes for Sunday's match.
Prop Massimo De Lutiis (foot) and winger Lachie Anderson, now in the HIA return-to-play process, are missing because of injury. Prop Aidan Ross and lock Connor Vest are unavailable for personal reasons.
It means former All Black Jeffery Toomaga-Allen comes into the starting side at prop while Australian Under-20s prop Trevor King has a place on the bench. Hamish Muller replaces Vest at lock.
In the backs, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips returns to flyhalf where Campbell showed his versatility to fill-in in Narrabri. At the back, Australian Under-20s back Xavier Rubens gets a start on the wing with Heremaia Murray staying at fullback.
On the bench, King and utility back Will McCulloch will have their first chances in this competition.
"'Faess' plays a leadership role at the club as it is and it's a natural progression for him to take over with Jock missing," Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
"He returned last weekend with good involvements. His impact was immediate after half-time in Narrabri and he can build on that again.
"It's good to have Harry back at No.10 and we get to see Trevor and Will for the first time in Super Rugby AUS.
"The boys were suitably disappointed with the result in Narrabri. Their attitude since has been what we expect and the focus is on representing the Reds jersey in the right way in Perth."
The Western Force have a lock on one position in the Super Rugby AUS final. A victory in Perth will give the Reds a shot at playing in the decider as well.
WESTERN FORCE vs QUEENSLAND REDS
Tompkins Park, Perth
4:30pm AEST Sunday, September 28
Live on Stan Sport and rugby.com.au
1 Sef Fa'agase - Sunnybank
2 Matt Faessler (c) - Brothers
3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths
4 Hamish Muller - Brothers
5 Seru Uru - Souths
6 Joe Brial - University of Queensland
7 Tom Robinson - University of Queensland
8 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers
9 Kalani Thomas - University of Queensland
10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Wests
11 Tim Ryan - Brothers
12 Dre Pakeho - Brothers
13 Josh Flook (vc) - Brothers
14 Xavier Rubens - Souths
15 Heremaia Murray - Bond University
Reserves
16 Theo Fourie - Brothers
17 George Blake - Bond University
18 Trevor King - Souths
19 Charlie Brosnan - Brothers
20 Kohan Herbert - Souths
21 James Martens - GPS
22 Will Cartwright - Brothers
23 Will McCulloch - Norths
