Young guns return to Reds side to play Highlanders
Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn has made two changes to his side to play the Highlanders this weekend.
19-year old Harry Hockings returns to the starting side while Izaia Perese has been named on the wing after scoring a match winning try for Easts in Premier Rugby last weekend.
“We’ve kept a pretty similar side to last week,” Thorn said.
“Kane (Douglas) had a good game last week and he has been in strong form, but we felt the time was right to give Harry (Hockings) an opportunity to start. He has been making great strides in his development and this is the next step for him. Kane will provide good impact off the bench.
“Izaia (Perese) has been working hard to get back to the form he showed us in the pre-season, before his knee injury. He has had some chances off the bench and now he gets another crack in the starting side.
“It’s good to see Caleb (Timu) return from injury too. He was in damaging form before that setback and hopefully he will bounce back quickly.
“It’s another tough challenge this weekend. The Highlanders are a good side and they’ll be hurting.
“We have shown we can be competitive. Now we need to take it to the next level.
Queensland Reds team to play Highlanders
1. JP Smith – GPS
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – Sunnybank
3. Taniela Tupou – Brothers
4. Izack Rodda – Easts
5. Harry Hockings – University of Queensland (run-on debut)
6. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland
7. George Smith – Brothers
8. Scott Higginbotham (C) – Wests
9. Ben Lucas – Sunnybank
10. Jono Lance – University of Queensland
11. Jordan Petaia – Wests
12. Duncan Paia’aua – Norths
13. Samu Kerevi – Souths
14. Izaia Perese – Easts
15. Hamish Stewart – Bond University
16. Andrew Ready – Easts
17. Sef Fa’agase – University of Queensland
18. Ruan Smith – GPS
19. Kane Douglas – Norths
20. Caleb Timu – Souths
21. Liam Wright – Easts
22. Moses Sorovi – Wests
23. Aidan Toua – Easts