Filipo Daugunu will play his 50th Queensland and Super Rugby game this Saturday when the Queensland Reds take on the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium as the Queensland Rugby Union celebrates its annual Women in Rugby Round.
Daugunu has been named to return to the starting side on the left wing in place of Jock Campbell, who has been ruled out with a hand injury alongside Seru Uru (ankle).
Co-captain Liam Wright will start in place of Uru at blindside flanker, while Harry Hoopert will make his second run-on appearance of 2022 at the expense of the suspended Dane Zander.
The clash is the first time the fierce rivals have played at Suncorp Stadium since last year’s Super Rugby AU Grand Final, with the Rod Macqueen Cup on the line this Saturday night.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “For the first time this year we’ve got back-to-back home games. We’re looking forward to a big crowd at Suncorp Stadium and playing in front of our Queensland fans.
"It's our second game in three weeks against the Brumbies and should be a good contest.
“Congratulations to Filipo Daugunu on his 50th cap for Queensland. I remember his debut – it was off the bench in our first game back in 2018. He’s a humble and hard-working man. As a team we wish him well this weekend,” said Thorn.
Daugunu starts in an otherwise unchanged backline and will combine with fullback Jordan Petaia and winger Josh Flook in the back three.
Hamish Stewart and Hunter Paisami start in the centres, with Wallabies duo Tate McDermott and James O’Connor pulling the strings in the halves.
Up front, Hoopert starts alongside Josh Nasser and Taniela Tupou, as Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth resume their partnership in the secondrow.
Wright will make his second starting appearance of the year in the backrow along with the in-form Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight.
Off the bench, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been named to make his return from an ankle injury, while Richie Asiata will also feature for the first time in 2022 after breaking his arm in the pre-season.
Tuaina Taii Tualima and Zane Nonggorr are also back in the team as Queensland look to continue their three-year, 12-game winning streak against Australian sides at Suncorp Stadium.
The Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific clash will follow Queensland's clash with the Melbourne Rebels in the Buildcorp Super W.
Tickets for the double header are available via reds.rugby.
Queensland Reds v Brumbies, Saturday 2 April, 6:45pm AEST, Suncorp Stadium:
- Harry Hoopert – Brothers
- Josh Nasser – University of Queensland
- Taniela Tupou – Brothers
- Ryan Smith – Brothers
- Angus Blyth – Bond University
- Liam Wright (cc) – Easts
- Fraser McReight – Brothers
- Harry Wilson – Brothers
- Tate McDermott (cc) – University of Queensland
- James O’Connor – Brothers
- Filipo Daugunu* – Wests
- Hamish Stewart – Brothers
- Hunter Paisami – Wests
- Josh Flook – Brothers
- Jordan Petaia – Wests
- Richie Asiata – Easts
- Feao Fotuaika – Sunnybank
- Zane Nonggorr – Bond University
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths
- Tuaina Taii Tualima – GPS
- Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland
- Isaac Henry – Wests
- Lawson Creighton – Brothers
*denotes 50th Queensland and Super Rugby cap
