Reds must lift for APC Final
Queensland Reds coach Eddie Jones has made only one change to the team that defeated the Brumbies last week
for the APC final.
Utility back Andrew Brown has been out of the team with concussion since the opening APC match against
the Force and will start the game on the bench, replacing Brett Gillespie.
| 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. | Andrew Brown |
| 22. | Brando Va’alu |
The Reds left Brisbane for Bowral today knowing it will take an improved performance from last weekend’s
nail biting 20-19 victory over the Brumbies to win the Australian Provincial Championship against them in
Canberra on Friday night.
Both coach Eddie Jones and captain John Roe are under no illusions that everyone needs to step up in the
final of the one-off series, but are pleased with how their preparations have gone.
“There’s been a lot of talk from the players about how we have to play better and that’s a good sign that
they want to improve individually and as a team,” said Jones.
Jones said the team could not play at the same level as in last Saturday’s finals qualifier at Ballymore
and expect to emerge as the champions over the Brumbies on their home turf.
“Our set piece work, the lineout and the scrum certainly wasn’t of the quality or the consistency that we
need to have and our first phase attack needs to be much a lot sharper.”
Roe expects the game to be won in the contest for the ball at the breakdown and the Reds backrow has a
tough test against Brumbies counterparts Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles and Julian Salvi.
“Hopefully David Croft, myself and Mitchell Chapman can equal those guys and provide better ball for our
players because the quality of possession both first phase and off breakdowns will dictate who wins the game,”
he said.
While the Reds know they have to be more consistent on Friday, they have taken plenty out of last week’s
come-from-behind win.
“We were very pleased that we won, very pleased that we stuck at it and got through to the end of the
game,” Roe said.
A win in the APC final would be a great boost for the Reds before they break for a month ahead of
pre-season training.
“In the history books it may not turn out to be a great prize but to the future progress of this team it’s
going to be a very important game,” Roe said.
APC Rugby - Final
ACT Brumbies vs Queensland Reds
Viking Park, Canberra
Friday Night, September 29
Kick-Off: 7:00pm (local/AEST time)
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