The Queensland Reds have made two changes to their front-row for Friday night’s Super Rugby clash with the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
Reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie has rotated his engine room with prop Ben Daley replacing loosehead Greg Holmes for his first start of the season, while hooker James Hanson moves to the bench to make way for Saia Faingaa.
Otherwise, Queensland will field exactly the same 22 against the Kiwi conference leaders that lined up for last weekend’s 19-all draw with the table-topping Brumbies.
Faingaa started the first five rounds before sustaining a neck injury while Daley missed the start of the year due to calf and head injuries but has made an impact off the bench in the Reds’ past three wins.
McKenzie admitted the high-energy duo, who both started in the 2011 final triumph, bring “something different” to the Reds game as they look to complete a 4-0 shutout of Kiwi sides this season.
“They’ve obviously been frustrated by injuries earlier in the season, so I’m sure they’re eager to grab the opportunity they’ve been given and run with it,” he said.
“The Blues are a very talented side and the short six-day turnaround makes things even more complicated for us, so to be able to maintain continuity in our selections is important.”
Queensland have won their last three Super matches against the Blues, including the 2011 semi-final featuring the same backline, and also beat them 41-35 in a 12-try trial match in Toowoomba in early February.
The Reds (33) are two points behind the pace-setting Brumbies, while the Blues are on top of the tightly-packed New Zealand conference on 31 points.
Queensland Reds: Jono Lance, Rod Davies, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Res: James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Ed O’Donoghue, Jarrad Butler, Ben Lucas, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Dom Shipperley.