Ayumu Goromaru has held his spot at fullback as the Japanese superstar prepares to take on some of international teammates for the first time since last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Saturday’s clash will be a unique one with Japanese international Hendrik Tui will also play his many of his friends as well, while on the other side, former Red Ed Quirk will return to Suncorp Stadium for the first time since leaving the Queensland at the end of 2015.
Goromaru starts for the second straight week with Karmichael Hunt unable to overcome a groin injury that kept him out of his side’s loss the Hurricanes last Saturday.
In the only change to the starting XV, Cadeyrn Neville returns to the starting lineup pushing young lock Ben Matwijow to the bench.
Co-coach Matt O’Connor praised Matwijow’s impact in recent weeks.
"We’ve managed to keep a fairly consistent side throughout the season and this weekend is no different” he said.
“Ben has been doing a fantastic job in his starting role for a number of weeks, but we have the benefit of being able to bring in a guy like Cadeyrn, who is a talented footballer and gets an opportunity this weekend.
"The Sunwolves are a quality outfit who were unlucky not to beat the Stormers last week and had a great win over the Jaguares recently in Tokyo. We are excited to be back home at Suncorp Stadium in front of our home fans after two away games in New Zealand. We need to learn the lessons from the Crusaders and Hurricanes games and ensure we put out a season’s best 80-minute performance."
The Queensland Reds play the Sunwolves at 3:05pm AEST Saturday, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
TEAM
1. James Slipper (C)
2. Andrew Ready
3. Greg Holmes
4. Cadeyrn Neville
5. Rob Simmons
6. Hendrik Tui
7. Liam Gill
8. Curtis Browning
9. Nick Frisby
10. Jake McIntyre
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Anthony Fainga’a
13. Campbell Magnay
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Ayumu Goromaru
RESERVES
16. Matt Mafi
17. Sef Fa’agase
18. Sam Talakai
19. Ben Matwijow
20. Michael Gunn
21. James Tuttle
22. Duncan Paia’aua
23. Junior Laloifi
