Queensland coach Richard Graham has stuck by the players who earned the Reds a last-start upset over the Highlanders for Friday night’s Super Rugby match against Melbourne Rebels.

Despite the returns of former Wallabies Lachie Turner and Ben Daley from injury, plus the availability of influential flanker Liam Gill, Graham has stuck by his incumbents for the AAMI Park clash.

Vice-captain Will Genia’s ankle injury has forced just the one change from the last-gasp 38-31 win over the Highlanders – ending a six-match losing streak – with Nick Frisby to start at halfback.

Frisby will partner utility Ben Lucas in the first Reds halves combination without either Genia or Quade Cooper since 2008.

Although backs Mike Harris, Rod Davies and Dom Shipperley all signed elsewhere during the June internationals break, the trio all retained starting berths.

Former NSW Waratahs winger Turner has overcome leg injuries but must bide his time on the bench, along with prop Daley and Gill, who is set to be selected in Australia’s sevens team for the Commonwealth Games.

With Gill unlikely to be available for the last two competition rounds, Graham has stuck by Beau Robinson, Curtis Browning and Jake Schatz in the back-row.

While both sides are out of play-off contention, the Reds are keen to avenge last month’s controversial 30-27 loss to the Rebels.

Queensland Reds: Mike Harris, Rod Davies, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Fainga’a, Dom Shipperley, Ben Lucas, Nick Frisby; Jake Schatz, Beau Robinson, Curtis Browning, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, James Hanson, James Slipper. Res: Saia Fainga’a, Albert Anae, Ben Daley, David McDuling, Liam Gill, Samu Kerevi, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Lachie Turner.