The St.George Queensland Reds have made three changes to their starting XV for Friday’s Harvey Norman Super Rugby Trans-Tasman fixture against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Bryce Hegarty has overcome a minor hamstring concern that sidelined him last week and will start at flyhalf with James O’Connor still battling a neck injury.
Josh Flook comes into the starting side on the right wing replacing Suliasi Vunivalu who suffered a hamstring injury midway through the second-half of last week’s match against the Blues.
Angus Blyth will start in the number-four jersey which sees Ryan Smith set to come-on as a finisher in one-of-six changes to the Reds’ reserves.
In their final game of the 2021 season, Queensland could blood their ninth debutant this year with Brothers utility back Hudson Creighton named on the bench.
Fraser McReight has been recalled into the 23, so too hooker Richie Asiata and loosehead prop Harry Hoopert, as well as replacement scrumhalf Kalani Thomas for Friday’s fixture in Wellington.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “We’re looking forward to getting back over to Wellington – we haven’t been there since 2018.
“The Hurricanes are playing for a finals spot and we’re expecting a tough battle against them.
“We want to finish the season well and put in a good performance for our Queensland fans back home,” said Thorn.
Queensland play the Hurricanes on Friday night at 5:05pm AEST and will be broadcast live and ad-free on Stan Sport.
