Josh Flook returns at outside centre to play his 50th game for the Queensland Reds in Saturday night’s Indigenous Round clash against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.
Flook’s selection is one of eight changes to the starting side for the team’s last regular season home game as the fifth-placed Reds zero in on a strong finish to their Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
In other selection news, Tom Lynagh returns at flyhalf, former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman will start after an 80-minute hit-out for his club Sunnybank last weekend and Wallaby Matt Faessler is back at hooker.
Former All Black Jeffery Toomaga-Allen is also starting at prop and Seru Uru returns to the lock position he occupied so well in the first half of the season. Mac Grealy and Tim Ryan are the wing pair.
Flook’s 50-game milestone arrives in his fifth season for the Reds. He has made a strong impression on Reds head coach Les Kiss.
“He personifies the quality of a player who the players love to play with and coaches love to coach,” Kiss said.
“’Flooky’ has excellent timing in attack and defence and that helps give him the upper hand in playing outside centre.
“He’s having a season he can be very proud of. To reach 50 games for Queensland is well deserved.”
Kiss said Lynagh was training fully after a niggle and might even have played StoreLocal Hospital Cup rugby for his club last weekend but for University of Queensland having a bye. He will take on the playmaking role at No. 10.
“It’s Tom’s chance to lead from No.10. We’ve seen his strong form earlier in the season," Kiss said.
“James O’Connor will continue his good, solid progression (with a third game off the bench). That experience is valuable at this time of the season.”
Kiss said the experience in the front-row was another strong building block within the team.
“Alex performed well in 80 minutes for his club last weekend and Matt Faessler is back after a freshening up week,” Kiss added.
The Reds fell 40-31 to the Force when they visited Perth in March so Kiss is well aware of the threat coming to Suncorp Stadium.
“We recognise we need to be at our best against the Force. They have found their groove over the past five weeks,” Kiss said.
“They have been playing some impressive rugby.
“We are looking forward to playing strongly at Suncorp Stadium in our last home game before the finals.”
Saturday 25 May Suncorp Stadium
7:35pm AEST
Watch live Stan Sport and 9GEM
1. Alex Hodgman – Sunnybank – Mount Albert Grammar School, Auckland – Suburbs Rugby Football Club, Auckland
2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
4. Seru Uru – Wests, Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji
5. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
6. Liam Wright (cc) – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School - Easts
7. Fraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
9. Tate McDermott (cc) - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar School - Flinders Rugby Club
10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College, England – Richmond Rugby Club
11. Mac Grealy – University of Queensland – Downlands College – Souths Toowoomba
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
13. Josh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College - Brothers
14. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts
17. Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High School – Beaudesert Warriors
18. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Connor Vest – Souths - Grafton High School - Grafton Junior Rugby Club
20. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. James O’Connor – Brothers - St Joseph’s Nudgee College - Brothers
23. Taj Annan – Souths – Brisbane Boys’ College – Merewether Carlton
