Wallaby centre Hunter Paisami returns to the Queensland Reds backline for Saturday night’s peak derby clash against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
Paisami has put a corked hip behind him and will partner in-form Filipo Daugunu in the midfield for the Round 14 match in SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific.
Their partnership means youngster Dre Pakeho will be used as impact from the bench after an impressive run of starting assignments.
Experienced Ryan Smith will start as lock partner to Josh Canham with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto unavailable after a shoulder knock sustained against the NSW Waratahs last Friday.
With flanker Seru Uru (knee) sidelined, Joe Brial slots into the backrow beside Fraser McReight and No.8 John Bryant.
With flyhalf Tom Lynagh progressing through the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Protocols, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will start at No.10.
“The Brumbies are no doubt a team in form coming off their win over the Western Force (33-14),” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“They have an imperious record at home in Canberra as we know.
“We certainly showed our qualities of grit and belief with how strongly we finished the game against the NSW Waratahs in our last game. It was very pleasing coming off the short turnaround from our previous match in Fiji.
“Harry had a very strong second half when he came in for Tom against the Waratahs and has stepped up for us with his opportunities this season.
“Our bench has been very productive. This weekend, Connor Vest will bring his impact as a backrower-lock. He’s been fully involved at training and with matches for his Souths club and the Reds Development XV to be ready for this.”
Saturday, May 17
GIO Stadium, Canberra
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. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
9. Tate McDermott (c) - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Flinders RC
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
11. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland - Manukau Rovers
13. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC, Sydney
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
Reserves:
16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts
17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
18. Massimo De Lutiis - Wests – The Southport School – Surfers Paradise Dolphins
19. Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach RC
20. Connor Vest – Souths - Grafton High School - Grafton Junior RC
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School – Pine Rivers Pumas
23. Heremaia Murray – Bond University – Auckland Grammar - Te Rarawa RC, NZ
Unavailable through injury: George Blake, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Alex Hodgman, Tom Lynagh, Will McCulloch, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright
