The Queensland Reds are eager to wrap up the Super Rugby Next Gen title as they face the Western Force on Saturday.
The Reds put themselves in the box seat after an enthralling 33-26 victory over the NSW Waratahs at Ballymore.
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This came without flyhalf Finn Mackay, who returns to the side after making his Super Rugby Pacific debut last week against the Waratahs.
He is joined by skipper Tom Robinson, who was wary of the dangers the Force possesses after they defeated the ACT Brumbies last week.
"We want to go three-from-three on the back of two good wins but we have to understand what winning the trophy will take," Robinson said.
"We definitely need to start stronger because we've played catch-up against the Brumbies and Waratahs by conceding the first try.
"You have to deal with the travel to Perth. That's making sure the body is fresh and we are switched on because we were left behind in Canberra to start that game. The Force boys lift in Perth so it's going to take a good performance from us on Saturday."
For the Force, they have added centre Boston Fakafauna as one of several over-age players permitted to play the competition, designed to prepare the Australia U20s for the upcoming season.
Former Bulls U20s outside back Migael De Lange has also been named at fullback, joined in the outside backs by returning Force Academy winger Peni Naqau.
If the Force defeat the Reds, it opens the door for the NSW Waratahs to claim the title if they can defeat the ACT Brumbies with a bonus point on Sunday.
The Waratahs are boosted by the return of recent Australia Sevens debutant Cooper Watters.
Watters, who featured in last year’s Australia U20s campaign and debut in Singapore last month on the SVNS World Series, will line up in the centres alongside Zach Fittler.
Further changes from last week’s defeat include the return of Angus Grover and Jonty Fowler in the halves, while Isaac Fonua shifts into the back-row
Likewise, the Brumbies have made several changes, with impressive fullback Angus Tagicakibau named to start alongside former Rebel U19s star Ed Lyons in the back-three.
2025 Australian Schoolboys back-rower Oscar Cleary starts for the first time in the competition, while number eight Cooper Eagle once again captains the side.
FORCE (1-15): Max Sawers, Luke Megson, Josh Smith, William Crew, Max Johnson, Jackson Bridges, Luke Holt-Brown (c), Nate Gallagher, Luke Aitken, Mack Wrigley, Johan Becroft, Evan Hooper, Fatani Fatanitavake, Peni Naqau, Migael de Lange
Replacements: Ollie Barrett, Berekah Tuifaasisina, Brad Kuhn, Ollie McGinnity, Daniel Grant, Cruz Remi, Boston Fakafanua, Jackson Ropata, Zavier Hawira
REDS (1-15): Kingsley Uys, John Grenfell, Levi Slater, Charlie Brosnan, Kenneth Harris, Tom Robinson (c), Ilan Cloete, Angus Kelly, Alfie Bowman, Finn Mackay, Taione Taka, Dre Pakeho, Frankie Goldsborough, Nic Lynagh, Tom Howard
Replacements: Isaac Rauluni, Jacob Job, Jonah Rangiwai Will Pascoe, Teina Graham, Cooper Stewart, Josh Takai, Ryan Heaton
WARATAHS (1-15): Nick Hill, Tyler Maybery, Edwin Langi, Aron Brennan, Ed Baxter, Isaac Fonua, Marshall Le Maitre (c), Toby Brial, Angus Grover, Jonty Fowler, Brody Folkes, Zach Fittler, Cooper Watters, Rory O’Connor, Louis Fenwick
Replacements: Dylan Simmons, Harper Strachan, Lewis Wilson, Cooper Green, Justice Taumoepeau, Sam Blank, Harrison Dene, Jay McKenzie, James Archer
BRUMBIES (1-15): Nate Hepi, Ewald Kruger, Lochlan Smith, Billy Hansen, Jack Gordon, Oscar Cleary, Jarvis Orr, Cooper Eagle (c), Sam Watson, Chace Oates, Jacob Johnson, Dylan Bretton, Malakye Enasio, Ed Lyons, Angus Tagicakibau
Replacements: Fletcher Burrows, Cajun Arnfield, Keegan Daly, Tevita Loughland, Bailey Bouquiaux, Chayse Geros, Will Trostel, Paddy McInally
