Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia will return to the Queensland Reds starting side for this Saturday’s Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific Round 5 clash against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
Paisami and Petaia are two of three changes to the Reds XV, with Kalani Thomas set to run-on at scrumhalf for the sixth time in his career.
Harry Wilson will celebrate his 50th Queensland cap, while prop Phransis Sula-Siaosi will potentially play his first Super Rugby match after debuting for Queensland on last year’s Tour of Japan.
Head coach Brad Thorn said: “The Rebels have been impressive so far this season. We’re expecting a tough contest down in Melbourne.
“It’s great to have Hunter, Jordy and Isaac back this week. They’ll bring good experience to the backline.
“Congratulations to Harry who’ll play his 50th game for Queensland. It’s a special and well-deserved achievement.
"Phransis impressed us during the Challenger Series and Japan Tour last year. It's a great reward to see him potentially make his Super Rugby debut."
Queensland have named an unchanged starting forward pack for the fourth straight week, with Dane Zander, Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr set to pack down in the front row.
Seru Uru and Ryan Smith reprise their combination in the second row, with co-captain Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Wilson making for a settled and dynamic backrow trio.
Thomas’ inclusion in the starting side sees skipper Tate McDermott drop to the bench, a planned rest week for the Wallaby scrumhalf.
James O’Connor will feature at flyhalf, with Petaia returning on the wing alongside Filipo Daugunu and fullback Jock Campbell.
Fresh from his second try-scoring double of 2023, Josh Flook partners Paisami in the centres, the latter having recovered from concussion.
Off the bench, Connor Anderson returns to the side in place of Connor Vest, while Isaac Henry will also make his comeback from a hand injury suffered in Round 1.
After impressing in his starting debut last week, Taj Annan will provide strike as a finisher with Tom Lynagh ruled out with concussion after last round’s narrow win over the Drua.
After impressing in 2022’s inaugural Queensland Challenger Series and Tour of Japan, Souths prop and Nudgee product Sula-Siaosi will potentially make his Super Rugby debut with Sef Fa'agase suspended.
- Dane Zander – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Albany Creek Brumbies
- Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
- Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
- Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
- Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji
- Liam Wright (cc) – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School – Easts
- Fraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
- Harry Wilson* – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
- Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School – Souths
- James O’Connor – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Brothers
- Filipo Daugunu – Wests – Dogotuki District School, Fjii
- Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
- Josh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Brothers
- Jordan Petaia – Wests – Brisbane State High School
- Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
- Richie Asiata – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School
- Peni Ravai – Easts – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji
- Phransis Sula-Siaosi** – Souths – St Joseph’s Nudgee College**
- Jake Upfield – Bond University – The Southport School
- Connor Anderson – Wests – Brisbane State High School – Everton Park Roosters
- Tate McDermott – University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Flinders Rugby Club
- Isaac Henry – Wests – Brisbane Boys College – Kenmore Bears
- Taj Annan – Souths – Brisbane Boys College – Merewether Carlton
*denotes 50th Queensland cap
**denotes Super Rugby Pacific debut
