Dropped Wallabies lock Rob Simmons will play for the Sydney Rays in the NRC this weekend after being released from the national squad.
Simmons was dropped by coach Michael Cheika ahead of Saturday's Test with the Springboks, replaced by Rory Arnold in the team.
He won't be the only Wallaby in the team - Curtis Rona will start at outside centre for the Rays in their season opener.
Simmons has been in this spot before, playing for Queensland Country in 2016 after being dropped from the Wallabies squad after a disappointing opening Bledisloe Test.
The 29-year-old will be joined by another familiar name in the Rays 23 -Scott Sio's brother Patrick will run out at no. 8.
Israel Folau's brother John was set for his debut but the 23-year-old twinged his hamstring at training on Thursday night and will be replaced by Warringah's Tyson Davis.
Fiji and Brisbane City open the action on Saturday afternoon at 1pm AEST.
Saturday September 8
Fiji Drua vs Brisbane City, Churchill Park, Fiji, 1pm AEST
LIVE STREAM on foxsports.com.au from 12:55pm AEST. To access this, you must have a FOX SPORTS subscription or foxsports.com.au digital subscription.
Fiji Drua to take on City
IN: Jona Sawailau
OUT: Filimone Seru
1. Joeli Veitayaki
2. Ratu Naisa Navuma
3. Mosese Ducivaki
4. Peni Naulago
5. Albert Tuisue
6. Peni Raidre
7. Mosese Voka
8. Eremasi Radrodro
9. Frank Lomani
10. Alivereti Veitokani
11. Levani Kuruimudu
12. Cyril Reece
13. Poasa Waqanibau
14. Apete Daveta
15. Apisalome Waqatabu
Reserves
16. Veremalua Vugakoto
17. Eroni Mawi
18. Luke Tagi
19. Tevita Naqali
20. Johnny Dyer
21. Seru Vularika
22. Enele Malele
23. Jona Sawailau
Brisbane City to take on Fijian Drua
IN: Josh Nasser, Jeremiah Lynch, Sam Wallis
OUT: Dillon Whongi, Misioka Timoteo, James Dalgleish
1. JP Smith – Reds/GPS
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – Reds/Sunnybank
3. Ruan Smith – Reds/GPS
4. Adam Korczyk (C) – Reds/University of Queensland
5. Nathan Den Hoedt – Sunnybank
6. Pat Morrey – University of Queensland
7. Fraser McReight – Brothers
8. Matthew Gicquel – GPS (NRC/Brisbane City starting debut)
9. Moses Sorovi – Reds/Wests
10. Quade Cooper – Reds/Souths
11. Emori Waqavulagi – Souths
12. Con Foley – University of Queensland
13. Karmichael Hunt – Reds/Souths
14. Jayden Ngamanu – Reds/Souths
15. Jaye Thompson – GPS
Reserves
16. Moli Sooaemalelagi - Sunnybank
17. Josh Nasser – UQ (potential NRC/Brisbane City debut)
18. Feao Fotuaika – Souths
19. Jeremiah Lynch – Wests
20. Tuaina Tualima – Sunnybank
21. Sam Wallis – UQ (potential NRC/Brisbane City debut)
22. Phoenix Hunt – Easts
23. Matt Gordon – Easts
Sydney Rays vs Canberra Vikings, Concord Oval, 3pm AEST
LIVE on FOX SPORT 3 503 from 3pm AEST
Rays to take on Vikings
1. Matt Sandell (Sydney Uni)
2. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood)
3. Shambeckler Vui (Southern Districts)
4. Rob Simmons (Randwick)
5. Ryan McCauley (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Lachie Swinton (Sydney Uni)
7. Jack Hayson (Randwick)
8. Pat Sio (Eastwood)
9. Mitch Short (Randwick)
10. Will Harrison (Randwick)
11. Tyson Davis (Warringah)
12. Harry Burey (Northern Suburbs)
13. Curtis Rona (Parramatta)
14. Latu Latunipulu (Randwick)
15. Tim Clements (Sydney Uni)
Reserves
16. JP Sauni (Northern Suburbs)
17. Rory O’Connor (Warringah)
18. Dean Doumbos (Eastwood)
19. Nick Palmer (Northern Suburbs)
20. Josh Kemeny (Sydney Uni)
21. Nick Duffy (Northern Suburbs)
22. Enoka Muliufi (West Harbour)
23.James Kane (Sydney Uni)
Vikings to take on Rays
IN: TP Luteru, Michael Oakman-Hunt, Jacob Abel, Mack Hansen
OUT: Folau Faingaa (Wallabies), Rory Arnold (Wallabies), Joe Powell (Wallabies), Tom Banks (Wallabies)
1. Sione Taula
2. Connal McInerney
3. Les Makin
4. Blake Enever
5. Darcy Swain
6. BJ Edwards
7. Michael Oakman-Hunt
8. Ben Hyne
9. Ryan Lonergan
10. Wharenui Hawera
11. Lausii Taliauli
12. Jordan Jackson-Hope
13. Len Ikitau
14. Chance Peni
15. Andy Muirhead
Reserves
16. TP Luteru
17. Vunipola Fifita
18. Tom Ross
19. Luke Kimber
20. Brodie Leber
21. Jacob Abel
22. Irae Simone
23. Mack Hansen
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9
Force vs NSW Country Eagles, McGillivray Oval, 3pm AEST
LIVE STREAM on foxsports.com.au To access this, you must have a FOX SPORTS subscription or foxsports.com.au digital subscription.
Force to take on Eagles
IN: Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Heath Tessmann
OUT: Clay Uyen (hamstring), Feleti Kaituu
1. Harry Lloyd - Perth Bayswater
2. Harry Scoble - UWA
3. Kieran Longbottom - Coastal Cavaliers
4. Fergus Lee-Warner - Southern Lions
5. Jeremy Thrush - Kalamunda
6. Tevin Ferris - Nedlands
7. Chris Alcock - Uwa
8. Brynard Stander - Joondalup Brothers
9. Ian Prior © - Associates
10. Andrew Deegan - Wanneroo
11. Rod Davies - Wanneroo
12. Henry Taefu - Coastal Cavaliers
13. Marcel Brache - Cottesloe
14. Masivesi Dakuwaqa - Southern Lions
15. Jack Mcgregor - Palmyra
Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann - Nedlands
17. Cameron Orr - Arks
18. Chris Heiberg - Palmyra
19. Leon Power - Wanneroo
20. Harrison Orr - Arks
21. Issak Fines - Perth Bayswater
22. Rodney Iona - Associates
23. Peter Grant - Cottesloe
Eagles to take on Force
1. Paddy Ryan
2. Tom Horton
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes
4. Jed Holloway
5. Tom Staniforth
6. Alex Humfrey
7. Sam Ward
8. Jake Gordon
9. Mack Mason
10. Alex Gibbon
11. Will McDonnell
12. Apolosi Latunipulu
13. Jaline Graham
14. Alex Newsome
15. Mahe Vailanu
Reserves
16. Matt Gibbon
17. Robert Lagudi
18. Emmanuel Meafou
19. Patrick Tafa
20. Mick Snowden
21. Rohan Saifoloi
22. Harry Potter
QLD Country vs Melbourne Rising, Mike Carney Toyota park, 3pm AEST
LIVE on FOX SPORTS 3 503 from 3pm AEST
Country to take on Rising
IN: Jake Simeon, Michael Wood
OUT: Caleb Timu (Wallabies), Rob Puliuvea
1. Harry Hoopert - Reds/Brothers – Jondaryn
2. Alex Casey - Souths
3. James Slipper – Reds/Bond University – Gold Coast
4. Harry Hockings – Reds/University of Queensland – Bowen
5. Angus Blyth – Reds/Bond University – Gold Coast
6. Angus Scott-Young – Reds/University of Queensland
7. Liam Wright – Reds/Easts
8. Tai Ford – Bond University/Gold Coast
9. James Tuttle – Reds/GPS
10. Hamish Stewart – Reds/Bond University – Pittsworth
11. Joey Fittock - Bond University – Gold Coast
12. Duncan Paia’aua – Reds/Norths - Rockhampton
13. Jordan Petaia - Reds/Wests
14. Jock Campbell - University of Queensland – Gold Coast
15. Tom Lucas - Sunnybank – Rockhampton
Reserves
16. Effi Ma’afu - Wests
17. Richie Asiata - Easts
18. Jake Simeon - Souths
19. Michael Wood – Brothers*
20. Harry Wilson - Brothers
21. Tate McDermott – Reds/University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast
22. Tony Hunt - Norths
23. Patrick James - Brothers
Rising to take on Country
IN: Pone Faamausili, Ikapote Tupai, Fabian Goodall
OUT: Matt Philip, Justin Masters, Mees Erasmus
1. Fereti Sa’aga FR
2. Anaru Rangi FR
3. Jermaine Ainsley FR
4. Esei Ha’angana
5. Trevor Hosea
6. Angus Cottrell C
7. Richard Hardwick
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Michael Ruru
10. Archie King
11. Tom English VC
12. Billy Meakes
13. Sione Tuipulotu
14. Sefa Naivalu
15. Kiti Ratu
Reserves
16. Andrew Tuala
17. Tetera Faulkner
18. Pone Fa’amausili
19. Robert Leota
20. Ikapote Tupai
21. Harrison Goddard
22. Kemu Valetini
23. Fabian Goodall
