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Injuries force Reds to change

In the forward pack, injuries to prop Taniela Tupou (shoulder) and No.8 Scott Higginbotham (calf) have forced a reshuffle.

 

Tupou has been replaced by Ruan Smith, who will make his run-on debut.

 

Higginbotham's injury sees Caleb Timu shift to No.8, with Lukhan Tui brought into the starting side at blindside flank. While Liam Wright has earned his first start at openside flank since Round Four, with Adam Korczyk moving to the bench.  

 

Experienced prop James Slipper will take over the captaincy in Higginbotham's absence.

 

The Reds have also made two changes to the starting backline.

 

Scrumhalf Ben Lucas is yet to recover from a concussion sustained last week and has been replaced by James Tuttle.

 

Wing Izaia Perese has returned from a knee injury suffered in the pre-season to earn his first start of the year, with Jayden Ngamanu dropping out of the matchday 23.

 

The Reds have made a further four changes to the reserves, with Korczyk dropping to the bench for the first time this year and prop Sef Fa'agase, flank Angus Scott-Young and scrumhalf Tate McDermott back in the matchday 23 for the first time since Round Six.

 

The match will be an historic occasion, with the two sides meeting at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the first time since 1983. Both sides will wear traditional strips for the match, with Queensland once again donning a maroon jersey, as it did in its home clash against the Waratahs last year.

 

Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Izaia Perese, 10 Jono Lance, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper (captain).     

Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Jean-Pierre Smith, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Adam Korczyk, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Jordan Petaia.

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Date: Saturday, April 14

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Kick-off: 19.45 (09.45 GMT)

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen & James Leckie

TMO: George Ayoub

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