Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson are amongst seven Wallabies returning to the Queensland Reds line-up for Friday night’s top-of-the-table clash against the Chiefs.
The Reds flew out of Brisbane on Wednesday morning for final preparations ahead of the Round Eight clash at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton in SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific.
McReight, Wallabies captain Wilson and Joe Brial will start in a remodelled backrow. No.8 Wilson and flanker McReight are both back after rest weeks last round.
In the front-row, experienced duo Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Alex Hodgman return to the country of their birth as the starting props beside Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will partner Josh Canham in the lock spots.
Tate McDermott returns to captain the side at halfback beside Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
The versatility of in-form Filipo Daugunu will be on show again. He shifts from outside centre to the wing while Hunter Paisami and 20-year-old Dre Pakeho play in the centres.
“Hunter has been a fantastic influence on how Dre has developed this season. Dre has made the most of every minute he has had this season and his positive attitude has been first class. I'm looking forward to seeing Dre's partnership with Hunter,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
"Up front, Matty Faessler is back to be pillared by Jeffery and Alex in a scrum that is going exceptionally well for us.”
On the bench, fullback Jock Campbell’s silky skills are available again after a lay-off.
The Reds and Chiefs have gone three wins apiece over their past six matches with four of those decided by less than a converted try.
It is a sign of where this highly-appealing match sits that both sides average around five tries per game and are close to the most miserly in defence.
The Chiefs have won 19 of their past 21 games at FMG Stadium Waikato.
“It’s a great ground to play rugby at. It's also one of the toughest places to play at with a boisterous fan base with their cow bells,” Kiss said.
“We’ve shown we are robust and resilient and that our skills have come through to solve problems at the right time.
“We work at being stronger each week. This is another challenge to aim up to in Hamilton against a team that has shown they are right on top of their game.”
Toomaga-Allen, looking forward to his first starting assignment of the season, likes the focussed mentality the Reds have shown during the season at home, on the road and at scrum time.
"I hate to mention cliches but, honestly, it's got to be week-to-week with our mentality. The Chiefs are a formidable beast to handle. They are winning games for a reason, right, so we've got to try to figure out the keys to success against them," Toomaga-Allen said.
"I try to lead the scrum off the field with my experience. It's an area where we are always trying to get better and the competition we have within the squad for places helps drive that."
Queensland Reds vs Chiefs
Friday, April 4
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
4:05pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport
1. Alex Hodgman - Sunnybank – Mount Albert Grammar, Auckland – Suburbs RFC, Auck
2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
4. Josh Canham – Bond University - Brighton Grammar, Melb - Harlequins RC, Melb
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths – John Edmondson HS, Sydney
6. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
7. Fraser McReight (vc) – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (c) - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Flinders RC
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
11. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
13. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC, Sydney
15. Heremaia Murray - TBC – Auckland Grammar - Te Rarawa RC, NZ
Reserves:
16. Richie Asiata - Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
17. Sef Fa’agase - Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High – Beaudesert Warriors
18. Zane Nonggorr - Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
20. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond RC, UK
23. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
Unavailable through injury: Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Josh Nasser, Liam Wright
