Rookie joins Reds in SA
Uncapped Dave McDuling has been named in a 27-man Reds squad for their two-match tour of South Africa.
The Reds, who beat the Cheetahs 43-33 in an eight-try bonus-point victory in Brisbane on Friday, face the Sharks in Durban next Saturday and the Lions in Johannesburg a week later.
McDuling could make his Super Rugby debut in South Africa, after an injury in 2012 proved a significant setback for the promising young utility forward.
The burly forward, standing at 196cm and weighing in at 115kg, he entered 2012 as one of the team's most interesting prospects, but was cruelly struck down by a season-ending knee injury only days before the Reds' opening pre-season game.
He was primed to make his return during the 2013, but weeks before the Reds' Toowoomba trial match against the Blues, he suffered a second knee injury that would keep him sidelined for the second-straight Super Rugby season.
He made his return later in the year for his club team University of Queensland, and captained the side through to the preliminary final.
An impressive performer before joining the Reds, McDuling represented Australia at both Under-20 (2009) and schoolboy (2007) level.
He was also an integral part of the Sydney University 2010 premiership-winning Shute Shield team.
The squad departs for SA on Sunday morning.
The squad features the group of 23 that defeated the Cheetahs, along with Ben Lucas, Lachie Turner, Albert Anae and McDuling.
Reds squad:
Forwards: Ben Daley, Greg Holmes, Jono Owen, James Slipper, Albert Anae, Saia Fainga'a, James Hanson, James Horwill (captain), Dave McDuling, Ed O'Donoghue, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Eddie Quirk, Beau Robinson, Jake Schatz.
Backs: Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas, Anthony Fainga'a, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Mike Harris, Ben Tapuai, Rod Davies, Dom Shipperley, Aidan Toua, Lachie Turner.
