Teams and previews via SA Rugby Magazine
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REDS vs WARATAHS (Saturday, 11:05, Brisbane)
James O’Connor will start at flyhalf for the Reds in their Super Rugby AU opener against the Waratahs in Brisbane on Friday.
O’Connor will form the halfback axis with Tate McDermott, with Hunter Paisami and Hamish Stewart combining in the midfield, and fullback Bryce Hegarty forming the back three with wings Jock Campbell and Filipo Daugunu.
In the forward pack, captain Liam Wright and Fraser McReight are the starting flanks for the Reds. Harry Wilson has overcome a torn MCL and will pack down at No 8 to complete the back row.
Angus Blyth will partner Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second row, while Brandon Paenga-Amosa has recovered from an ankle injury to take his spot in the front row alongside Harry Hoopert and Taniela Tupou.
‘We’re pumped to be back playing rugby again this week,’ said Reds coach Brad Thorn.
‘We’ve been in a moment of history – 100 years since the Spanish flu. It’s been a tough four months, but as group – both players and staff – we’ve worked hard for each other and adapted to the challenges.
‘It doesn’t get any better than playing the Waratahs in the season opener. Queensland versus New South Wales – there’s plenty of tradition there. It’s a great rivalry and we look forward to continuing that on Friday night.
‘As a club, we continue to bring young talent through our academy and also through club footy. It’s great to see Tuaina Taii and Josh Flook named in the match 23. They’ve worked hard and we congratulate them on this achievement.’
Reds – 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright (c), 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Harry Hoopert.
Subs: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 JP Smith, 18 Josh Nasser, 19 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Scott Malolua, 22 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 23 Josh Flook.
Coach Rob Penney has named two uncapped players in the Waratahs’ starting XV for Friday’s Super Rugby AU opener against the Reds in Brisbane.
Penney’s team announcement was headlined by the selection of No 8 Will Harris and inside centre Joey Walton, who are both set to make their senior debut for the Waratahs.
They’ll join the likes of fellow Junior Wallabies Angus Bell (loosehead prop), Will Harrison (flyhalf) and Mark Nawanqanitawase (left wing) in the run-on side.
Ned Hanigan returns from injury to partner Rob Simmons in the second row. Michael Hooper has been selected at openside flank with Lachlan Swinton on the blindside.
Jack Maddocks plays at fullback, Alex Newsome will partner Joey Walton in midfield and Mitch Short will start in place of the injured Jake Gordon at scrumhalf.
Tom Horton, Tiaan Tauakipulu and Ben Donaldson are also in line to make their professional debuts from the bench, they’ll be alongside the experienced trio of Tetera Faulkner, Tom Staniforth and Jack Dempsey who will provide Penney with plenty of back-up options throughout the game.
Waratahs – 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 James Ramm, 13 Alex Newsome, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Mitch Short, 8 Will Harris, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Angus Bell.
Subs: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Michael Mcdonald, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Tepai Moeroa.
BRUMBIES vs REBELS (Sunday, 11:15, Canberra)
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has selected an all-Wallabies front row for his side’s opening Super Rugby AU match against the Rebels in Canberra on Saturday.
James Slipper will start at loosehead prop ahead of Scott Sio, combining with Folau Fainga’a and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row.
Darcy Swain will team up with Murray Douglas in the second row for the first time in 2020 while Pete Samu forms the loose trio with flanks Tom Cusack and Rob Valentini. Locky McCaffrey and Will Miller will provide cover from the bench.
Rookie Mack Hansen is set to start at fullback in the absence of Tom Banks, who still battling a foot injury. Hansen featured for the Brumbies against the Waratahs but played just four minutes off the bench.
A minor ankle injury has also ruled out Ryan Lonergan from Saturday’s clash, opening the door for Issak Fines to make his Brumbies debut off the bench.
Brumbies – 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valentini, 5 Murray Douglas, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Lachlan McCaffrey, 20 Will Miller, 21 Issak Fines, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Len Ikitau.
The return of Reece Hodge has boosted the Rebels’ starting lineup for Saturday’s clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.
Hodge returns from injury to play at outside centre with Billy Meakes on his inside.
Matt To’omua will steer the attack at No 10 and Ryan Louwrens cracks the nod as the starting scrumhalf. Marika Koroibete and Andrew Kellaway will start on the wings and Dane Haylett-Petty will captain the side from fullback.
Injuries and departures have forced coach Dave Wessels to name a new-look pack.
Wallabies No 8 Isi Naisarani is out with a hamstring strain while hooker Anaru Rangi has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Michael Wells comes in for Naisarani at eighthman and Test hooker Jordan Uelese will step up to the starting spot in Rangi’s absence.
Matt Philip will team up with former Sunwolves lock Michael Stolberg in the second row.
The 21-year-old Josh Kemeny will make his debut at blindside flank and Richard Hardwick has been named at openside flank.
Rebels – 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (c), 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Michael Stolberg, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Pone Fa’amausili, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Matt Gibbon.
Subs: 16 Efitusi Ma’afu, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Trevor Hosea, 20 Esei Haangana, 21 Rob Leota, 22 Frank Lomani, 23 Andrew Deegan.
