Bank of Queensland Reds announce team to play Brumbies
January 25, 2005 - 2:31pm
Story by: QRU
Ben Tune will play his first game for nearly two years when he lines up for the Bank of Queensland Reds against the Brumbies at Ballymore on Saturday, kick-off 7.30pm.
Tune, whose last appearance was a try-scoring one against the Cats in April 2003, will start at outside centre in an exciting Reds backline that includes Wallabies Chris Latham & Steve Kefu and Australia A players Drew Mitchell, Josh Valentine, Julian Huxley and Junior Pelesasa..
The World Cup winning Wallaby underwent surgery on both knees in 2003, but is quietly confident of a return to the sort of form that saw him win 46 caps for Australia and 79 for Queensland.
"Things have gone well in pre-season and I am looking forward to getting back out there," he said. "I'm sure I'll be a little nervous, but I'm confident that I'll be able to get back into the swing of things pretty quickly."
The Reds will also welcome back Julian Huxley on Saturday after the flyhalf missed the entire 2004 Tooheys New Super 12 season through injury.
With Nathan Sharpe on the bench, Rudi Vedelago and Hugh McMeniman get first shot at the vacant lock position, while prop Greg Holmes makes his first Reds appearance in the front row.
Reds captain Elton Flatley was one of four players not considered due to injury, while winger Wendell Sailor, prop Nick Stiles and hooker Sean Hardman have been rested.
BANK OF QUEENSLAND REDS TEAM:
Replacements: Tai McIsaac, Pete Niumata, Rodney Blake, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Heenan, Daniel Leo, Richard Brown, Mitchell Chapman, Tim Atkinson, Scott Daruda, Peter Hynes, Lloyd Johansson, Digby Ioane, Nic Berry.
Not considered due to injury: Elton Flatley (knee); John Roe (shoulder/neck); Brock James (groin); Caleb Brown (shoulder)
Rested: Nick Stiles; Sean Hardman; Wendell Sailor
