Big names back for Reds

Wed, Apr 12, 2017, 11:00 PM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Quade Cooper is back for the Reds. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Quade Cooper is back for the Reds. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Rest easy, Reds fans, Quade Cooper is back in the starting XV for the must-win clash with the Kings.

Cooper has served his three-week suspension and is one of six changes made to the starting XV as Nick Stiles searches for answers in the wake of his team's second half capitulation against the Brumbies.

In other backline moves, Karmichael Hunt is back after missing the Brumbies loss with concussion and Izaia Perese comes back in ahead of Chris Kuridrani.

It's the forward pack where Stiles has challenged his young guns to lead the Reds back from the abyss.Quade Cooper will resume chief playmaking duties on Saturday. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyWith the Ballymore brains trust managing Stephen Moore's workload, Alex Mafi will make his first start at hooker.

He'll be joined by Lukhan Tui, who has been preferred to Kane Douglas in the second row.

Hendrik Tui has also been given the nod at blindside flanker ahead of Adam Korczyk.

Samu Kerevi will captain Queensland for the first time in Moore's absence.

On the bench, Andrew Ready and Nick Frisby are back after returning to club footy last week, while Hamish Stewart has been preferred to Jake McIntyre as cover for Cooper.

The Reds take on the Kings on Saturday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 3:05pm, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and RUGBY.com.au.

TEAM

Reds team to take on the Kings

1. Sef Fa’agase

2. Alex Mafi

3. Sam Talakai

4. Rob Simmons

5. Lukhan Tui

6. Hendrik Tui

7. George Smith (150th Super Rugby cap)

8. Scott Higginbotham

9. James Tuttle

10. Quade Cooper

11. Eto Nabuli

12. Duncan Paia’aua

13. Samu Kerevi

14. Izaia Perese

15. Karmichael Hunt

Reserves

16. Andrew Ready

17. Kirwan Sanday

18. Taniela Tupou

19. Kane Douglas

20. Adam Korczyk

21. Nick Frisby

22. Hamish Stewart

23. Chris Kuridrani

Share
Super Rugby Pacific Round Six Preview
Force 'heart and soul' Pomare set to reach rare Super W milestone
Michael Hooper is excited about the challenge of playing Sevens in Hong Kong. Photo: Nick Holland/RA Media
'Rookie' ex-Wallabies skipper Hooper ready to step up Sevens unknown
'Brumbies DNA': Wallabies selections on the line for Reds clash - Larkham