SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC, APRIL 29th, 2023 QUEENSLAND REDS v WESTERN FORCE
SUNCORP STADIUM,BRISBANE
Seru Uru and Liam Wright are the sole changes to the Reds XV who beat Moana Pasifika a fortnight ago, with Jordan Petaia moving to fullback and Jock Campbell to the wing in a reshuffled backline.
Gold Coast product George Blake will potentially make his Queensland and Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench.
Round 10 marks Super Rugby Pacific’s ‘Culture Round’, with 10 different cultures represented in the Reds 23 – Australian, First Nations people of Australia, Fijian, German, Italian, New Zealand Maori, Papua New Guinean, Samoan, South African and Tongan.
Fresh from his first Wallabies camp, Matt Faessler starts in the frontrow alongside Sef Fa’agase and Zane Nonggorr.
Uru’s return from concussion sees him start alongside Connor Vest at lock, while Wright will reprise his combination with the Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson who re-signed with the Reds through 2025 today.
Co-captain Tate McDermott again partners Lawson Creighton in the halves, with James O’Connor and Josh Flook starting in the midfield.
After a strong start to the season, Petaia moves to fullback with Jock Campbell and Suliasi Vunivalu on the wing.
Blake will potentially debut off the bench, with Filipo Daugunu also returning to the side as a finisher.
REDS (1-15):
Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Connor Vest, Seru Uru, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Lawson Creighton, Jock Campbell, James O’Connor, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia
RESERVES: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Peni Ravai, Ryan Smith, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu
FORCE (1-15):
Charlie Hancock, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Michael Wells (c), Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bryce Hegarty, Manasa Mataele, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Zach Kibirge, Chase Tiatia
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Siosifa Amone, Ryan McCauley, Rahboni Vosayaco, Gareth Simpson, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman
Referee: Reuben Keane
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Jordan Way
PREDICTION.
While the Force got a win last week against a very poor Highlanders side in Perth I think the trip to Queensland to play the Reds at home will be too much for them .They will both be fighting in get in the top eight semi finals, which is a mis-match any way. Teams seven and eight will have to take on the top teams, who are far better. Anyway that’s the dumb system. Reds to win by 7 points.
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