Anthony Fainga’a makes a return to the Reds starting line-up for the derby clash against the Waratahs on Saturday after Mike Harris was ruled out with an ankle injury

Reds Media Release –

Queensland Reds head coach Richard Graham has been forced to make a change to the team to face the Waratahs, with Mike Harris ruled out late due to an ankle injury.

Harris will be replaced by Anthony Fainga’a at inside centre, who will start his first game of the season for the Reds. Ben Lucas comes into the match-day 23 as a replacement on the reserves bench.

Harris pulled up fine from the Reds’ 27-17 win over the Brumbies last weekend and trained well early in the week, but complained of ankle soreness after weights this morning.

He missed morning training to go for a scan on the ankle and has since been ruled out.

The Reds face the Waratahs at ANZ Stadium in Sydney this Saturday, 1 March, at 7:40pm (local time).

Queensland Reds v Waratahs (Sydney)
1. James Slipper
2. Saia Fainga’a
3. Greg Holmes
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (C)
6. Eddie Quirk
7. Liam Gill
8. Jake Schatz
9. Will Genia (VC)
10. Quade Cooper
11. Dom Shipperley
12. Anthony Fainga’a
13. Ben Tapuai
14. Lachie Turner
15. Aidan Toua

Reserves
16. James Hanson
17. Ben Daley
18. Jono Owen
19. Ed O’Donoghue
20. Beau Robinson
21. Nick Frisby
22. Ben Lucas
23. Chris Feauai-Sautia