Forwards Trevor King and Vaiuta Latu have been added to the pack as the Queensland Reds chase a winning finale to Swyftx Super Rugby AUS in Canberra on Sunday.
Prop King, 21, and No.8 Latu, 21, will both start as Head Coach Vern Cotter looks to stir more power and accuracy from the side against the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park (2:05pm AEST).
In the backline, Easts centre Jake Pappin will start at inside centre while Ben Volavola will add experience and direction from fullback.
Cotter had some clear takeaways from last weekend's Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma and the 47-19 loss to the NSW Waratahs.
"It was not our best performance by far. There were opportunities created as always but we've got to finish them. We missed kicks to the corner and there were little inaccuracies," Cotter said.
"I was pleased with the character to come back to score three tries (in the final 25 minutes).
"We've had a good, honest review. We feel Trevor and Vaiuta will bring a bit of power to our game which we've been lacking a bit.
"As to the festival in Roma, I thoroughly enjoyed it and all the players did as well through the contact with the people, the spirit around the competition, the day of rugby and all the various teams.
"Thanks to Santos for putting on what was said to be the best festival yet."
Cotter can see the development plusses to Super Rugby AUS in the lead-up to the Reds' four-game tour of Japan and Italy in November and next year's Super Rugby Pacific season.
"Trevor has earned this chance to throw his body around with his impact off the bench in two games and work during the week. I'm really happy with Will Ross, who is going particularly well for a young lock (of 19). These are great apprenticeships at this level," Cotter said.
Having Volavola at fullback will mean another strong voice of organisation for the backline.
"We got lost a few times in Roma. It's nice to have experienced players like Ben who can help pull the strings with Tom Lynagh as he gets himself back into the game," Cotter said.
"Being better at carrying the ball on Sunday, creating fast ball and there will be the right conditions for Tommy to construct and build things."
Flanker John Bryant said the players knew they had to step up in Canberra after the result in Roma.
"It's always a tough one playing the Brumbies and we want to put our best game together," Bryant said.
"We'll be really trying to crank up our ball carries, cleans and physicality in general. Our energy around defence and attack, just getting set early and playing on top of them are things we have to do better.
"I'm really enjoying having Vern in. The new coaching group cut everything out and get straight to the point which I like."
On the bench, Souths lock Jake Kurbatoff and University of Queensland halfback Flynn McDermott will get their first chances in Super Rugby AUS.
Swyftx Super Rugby AUS
Sunday, September 27
Viking Park, Canberra
2:05pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport and free-to-air on rugby.com.au and YouTube
Queensland Reds
1 George Blake – Bond University
2 Matt Faessler (c) – Brothers
3 Trevor King – Souths
4 Will Ross – Brothers
5 Charlie Brosnan – Brothers
6 Joe Brial – University of Queensland
7 John Bryant – Souths
8 Vaiuta Latu – Brothers
9 Mosiah Christian – Norths
10 Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland
11 Sefa Naivalu – University of Queensland
12 Jake Pappin – Easts
13 Josh Takai – Brothers
14 Tim Ryan – Brothers
15 Ben Volavola – Sunnybank
Replacements
16 Zac Hough – University of Queensland
17 Harrison Usher – Bond University
18 Nick Bloomfield – Easts
19 Jake Kurbatoff – Souths
20 Tom Robinson – University of Queensland
21 Flynn McDermott – University of Queensland
22 Will McCulloch – Norths
23 David Fusitu’a – Brothers
26 Dom Thygesen – Wests
28 Alex Flanagan Smith – Norths
