Experienced forwards Sean Hardman and Van Humphries have returned from injury to win selection in the Reds squad to play the Blues at Ballymore on Saturday in Round 3 of the Super 14 tournament.
Hardman, Queensland’s most capped forward (138), missed last week’s 41-20 victory over the Crusaders because of an ankle injury and will return via the bench as Saia Faingaa gets his second opportunity in the No 2 jersey.
Humphries was given last week off to recover fully from a head knock and returns this week in captain James Horwill’s No 5 jersey, following the skipper’s season-ending knee injury.
Young backrower Jake Schatz retained his position at blindside flanker following an impressive debut last weekend, while openside flanker Daniel Braid will lead the forwards as team vice-captain against his former team-mates in the Blues.
Scrumhalf Will Genia has taken over the on-field leadership from Horwill and will lead the team out for the first time on Saturday night at 6.30pm.
The Reds team is (from fullback):
Peter Hynes (GPS), Digby Ioane (Sunnybank), Morgan Turinui (Sunshine Coast), Anthony Faingaa (Souths), Rod Davies (GPS), Quade Cooper (Souths), Will Genia (c) (Norths), Scott Higginbotham (Wests), Daniel Braid (vc) (Sunshine Coast), Jake Schatz (Sunnybank), Van Humphries (Souths), Adam Byrnes (University), Laurie Weeks (University), Saia Faingaa (Souths), Ben Daley (Gold Coast).
Reserves: Sean Hardman (Brothers), Greg Holmes (Sunnybank), Rob Simmons (Sunnybank), Leroy Houston (Norths), Richard Kingi (Sunnybank), Tim Walsh (club TBC), Will Chambers (club TBC)
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