One change for Reds The Queensland Reds have made one change to the side that lost to the Sharks for their final game in South Africa, against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday. Wallaby midfielder Ben Tapuai comes in for the injured Chris Feauai-Sautia, who left for home thanks to a hamstring injury picked up during training for the Vodacom Super Rugby game. There are also two changes to the bench, with Albert Anae covering at prop for Ben Daley, who also returned home this week with a knee injury while either Anthony Fainga’a or Ben Lucas will fill the final spot, depending on Fainga’a’s recovery from illness. “We’ve had to make one change to our side, Chris pulled out with a sore hamstring. Ben Tapuai replaces him, he’s been around for the last four games, and is a Wallaby himself, a very good communicator and not a real disruption for us at this moment,” coach Richard Graham told Reds TV. “We thought last week when he got his opportunity he was very assertive. He kicks with his left foot and offers us something different.” Graham said he would make the decision on the final spot after Friday’s captain’s practice session at the stadium. “I will make the decision tomorrow at the end of training between Ant and Ben Lucas. Ant is a bit ill at the moment, I’ll assess him tomorrow and see how he pulls up before I make a decision,” Graham added. Graham said his team had prepared well despite the setbacks and was looking forward to the contest. The Lions have been one of the form teams in the early rounds of Super Rugby. They are a young, energetic team who fight and scrap for everything, Graham said, adding that they reminded him of the Cheetahs a few years ago. We arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday to ensure we had a good week of preparation. Unfortunately we lost Chris yesterday, but the players have trained well and we understand the importance of this game. We have spent a large part of the week focusing on our own game and wanting to improve certain aspects around the contact areas. The Reds and Lions have met 17 times in Super Rugby, with Queensland winning 13 of the encounters and drawing one. The Reds record in Johannesburg against the Lions is seven wins, one loss and one draw. The last time the Reds and Lions met was in 2012 in Brisbane, which the Reds won 34-20. REDS TEAM: 15.Aidan Toua, 14.Rod Davies, 13.Ben Tapuai, 12.Mike Harris, 11.Lachie Turner, 10.Quade Cooper, 9.Will Genia, 8.Jake Schatz, 7.Liam Gill, 6.Eddie Quirk, 5.James Horwill, 4.Rob Simmons, 3.Greg Holmes, 2.Saia Fainga’a, 1.James Slipper. Reserves: 16.James Hanson, 17.Albert Anae, 18.Jono Owen, 19.Ed O’Donoghue, 20.Beau Robinson, 21.Nick Frisby, 22.Anthony Fainga’a/Ben Lucas, 23.Dom Shipperley. © supersport
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 10:43:25 +0000
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