TEAM NEWS: O'Connor back, Hegarty returns to kick for Reds against Bulls

Thu, Mar 12, 2020, 12:16 AM
Emma Greenwood
by Emma Greenwood
Bryce Hegarty will come in on the wing after a backline reshuffle from the Reds. Photo: Getty Images
Bryce Hegarty will come in on the wing after a backline reshuffle from the Reds. Photo: Getty Images

James O'Connor will return but the Reds have suffered another injury blow with Hunter Paisami ruled out for a month with a knee injury, forcing a backline reshuffle that has brought primary kicker Bryce Hegarty back into the side to face the Bulls.

The Reds fell just short of an upset against the Crusaders last week when they missed all four shots at goal in a four-point loss to the Super Rugby champions and having Hegarty back will be a bonus.

While Hegarty missed one of those attempts last week after coming off the bench, he has a success rate of more than 70 per cent this season and will be a welcome addition to the team.

Reds assistant coach Jim McKay said O'Connor's return was a boost, although his replacement, Isaac Lucas, had played a key role in the near-upset of the Crusaders.

"James possibly could have played last week at a push but Isaac did a very good job," McKay said.

"It was obviously a disappointing outcome for us but from a neutral perspective, it was a high-quality game and Isaac played an integral part in that.

"James was in good form before (his ankle injury), so he steps back in and Isaac's got a different role for us this week (off the bench)."

Paisami has been a revelation since starting in place of the injured Jordan Petaia and while his injury is a blow for the Reds, another bash-and-barge merchant is set to step in at outside centre.

"Chris (Feauai-Sautia), who has played a lot at centre, can fit in there comfortably for us," McKay said.

"He played a lot there for us last year and is a lot like Hunter - runs hard, tackles hard and runs very good lines.

"And that means Bryce gets an opportunity as well. He'll do a good job on the wing for us, it's a slightly different role for him but the other thing that he brings is goal kicking as well and that can solidify things for us there."

Meanwhile, Scott Malolua gets another chance to start at scrumhalf, with Tate McDermott again coming off the bench.

In other changes, Dane Zander has earnt his first super Rugby start, replacing JP Smith, who has been ruled out with illness.

"Dane hasn't put a foot wrong since he's come into our squad this year on the back of a very good campaign in NRC for Brisbane City," McKay said.

"It's great to show that path from club rugby at Norths and NRC and he's worked his socks off to get himself in shape and every opportunity he's had he hasn't put a foot wrong and we believe he deserves a chance to start for us."

Harry Hockings and Angus Blyth will start in the second row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto returning to the back row and Angus Scott-Young coming off the bench, while Izack Rodda is still being rested.

In the reserves, Harry Hoopert has been recalled to the match-day 23, with Scott-Young and Lucas to come on as finishers.

And in a late move after the initial team was named, potential debutant Jack Straker has been named on the bench in place of Josh Nasser as a reserve tighthead.

With a glut of injuries to the squad's front-rowers, the former Queensland Schoolboys player, who has been plying his trade in New Zealand's Mitre 10 Cup for the past three years, was added to the Reds' squad and could make his debut against the Bulls.

McKay said the Reds had done plenty right against the Crusaders last week but there was still room for improvement.

"We got a lot of things right against the Crusaders, we created a lot of opportunities," he said.

"We need to be able to finish our line breaks better and also getting down into the opposition 22 as well, we need to be more ruthless, patient and precise, so we've had a look at that as well.

"Our base game's coming along well but just converting the line breaks and being patient in the 22, hopefully that will get us the other side of the ledger."

The Bulls have also won only one match this season but McKay said after beating the Highlanders at home last week, they will start their tour with plenty of confidence.

"But for us, the focus is on us and putting our game together," he said.

"We've been playing well but not well enough. We're still looking to improve all the time."

The Reds take on the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, March 14, kicking off at 7:15pm (6:15pm local) and broadcast LIVE on Foxtel, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.

The match is the second in Suncorp double-header which kicks off with the Sunwolves taking on the Crusaders at 4:35pm AEDT.  

TEAM

Reds to face Bulls

1. Dane Zander – Norths 

2. Alex Mafi – Bond University 

3. Taniela Tupou – Brothers 

4. Angus Blyth – Bond University 

5. Harry Hockings – University of Queensland

6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths 

7. Liam Wright (c) – Easts 

8. Harry Wilson – Brothers 

9. Scott Malolua – GPS

10. James O’Connor – Brothers 

11. Henry Speight – Bond University 

12. Hamish Stewart – Brothers 

13. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths 

14. Bryce Hegarty – GPS

15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland

Reserves

16. Ed Craig – TBC 

17. Harry Hoopert – Brothers 

18. Jack Straker* - GPS

19. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland

20. Fraser McReight – Brothers 

21. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland   

22. Isaac Lucas – Sunnybank 

23. Filipo Daugunu – Wests

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