Reds make one change for Brumbies clash
Queensland Reds coach Eddie Jones has made only one change to the team that defeated NSW last week for
the APC final decider against the Brumbies this Saturday.
Hooker Sean Hardman has recovered from a neck injury and will start on the bench in place of Ole Avei,
while centre Ben Tune has overcome a back strain sustained in Sunday’s pre-match warm-up.
| Reds Team |
| 1. | Ben Coutts |
| 2. | Stephen Moore |
| 3. | Herman Hunt |
| 4. | Ed O’Donoghue |
| 5. | James Horwill |
| 6. | Mitchell Chapman |
| 7. | David Croft |
| 8. | John Roe (c) |
| 9. | Nic Berry |
| 10. | Peter Hynes |
| 11. | Caleb Brown |
| 12. | Lloyd Johansson |
| 13. | Ben Tune |
| 14. | Henari Veratau |
| 15. | John Dart |
| Reserve Bench |
| 16. | Sean Hardman |
| 17. | Peter Loane |
| 18. | Cameron Treloar |
| 19. | Ben Mowen |
| 20. | AJ Gilbert |
| 21. | Brett Gillespie |
| 22. | Brando Va’alu |
Forward Mitch Chapman also fought off a shoulder injury and will take the field.
Meanwhile, Queensland will be looking to break their Brumbies hoodoo when they clash in the match that
could decide the APC finalists.
The Reds rounded off their preparations with a robust session at Ballymore this morning and Reds workhorse
David Croft said there was plenty of motivation for the team to beat the Brumbies.
“We’re pretty much their bunnies at the moment,” Croft said. “It’s one (win) from 12 so we’re battling.”
The Reds have not beaten the Brumbies since 1999 and Croft said Saturday’s game against the competition
leaders would be a great test for the young Reds team.
“The best thing about playing the Brumbies is that they’re the best side in Australia hands down, I think,
and at the moment they’re showing that in the APC.”
Croft said there had not been much talk amongst the team about coming up against former team mate Julian
Huxley this weekend.
“Julian is a fantastic player and can carve teams up so we’ve obviously mentioned how dangerous he can be,
but that’s about it.”
The Reds have been boosted by the return of experienced hooker Sean Hardman and received further good news
with Ben Tune (back strain) and Mitchell Chapman (shoulder) both overcoming injury.
Jones is particularly pleased to have two of his most senior players in Tune and Hardman line up this
weekend to help the young players in the forwards and in the backline.
“The good thing about Tuney is he just loves playing,” Jones said.
“He’s gone through so much adversity to keep playing now. He’s a real example of what you can do if you
keep at it.
“Sean’s a very experienced player, a good scrummager, a good lineout thrower and particularly with a young
pack it’s very useful for him to support Stephen Moore.”
Jones said his team was taking the APC very seriously.
“We’ve worked really hard over the last couple of weeks particularly and the boys are looking forward to
the game.”
APC Rugby - Match 6
Queensland Reds vs ACT Brumbies
Ballymore Oval, Brisbane
Saturday afternoon, September 23
Kick-Off: 4:00pm (local/AEST time).
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