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