Tom Lynagh benched as Les Kiss selects Reds side for Drua showdown

Wallaby Tom Lynagh will look to provide impact off the bench when the Queensland Reds take on the Fijian Drua at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday. Coach Les Kiss has also made a couple of changes in the tight five, with two locks coming into the run-on side.

Kiss has selected a strong Reds side which boasts plenty of talent, including Tate McDermott and openside flanker Fraser McReight. Youngster Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will partner McDermott in the halves, while Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth start as the locking duo.

Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto featured in the starting lineup when the Reds recorded a clinical win over the Blues in Brisbane, but the pair will both be used off the bench. Former All Blacks Alex Hodgman and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen will also come off the pine.

21-year-old hooker Max Craig is also in line to debut at Super Rugby level off the bench. Craig has already played for Queensland, featuring against the Panasonic Wild Knights last November, and has now been rewarded with a Super call-up after starring for Easts.

“Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth will be the starting locks this week. We have great strength and depth in this position and locks who get through a power of work,” Kiss said.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

31

26

First try wins

100%

Home team wins

100%

“We know the importance of sustaining this for the full 80 minutes against a team like the Drua with the threats they possess.

“It’s great to be able to call on Harry. He did a fantastic job as a starter against the Chiefs. Tom will make his impact from the bench. It’s an important position and we are continuing to manage them,” Kiss added.

“Between Harry and Tom, we’ve got two good 10s. We said at the beginning of the year we would back both these young fellas and they are going sensationally well in the way they are growing.”

Sef Fa’agase joins Richie Asiata and Zane Nonggorr in the front-row, whole Smith and Blyth round out the tight five. Seru Uru starts at blindside flanker once again, with McReight and Joe Brial completing a familiar backrow combination.

Outside of McDermott and Lynagh in the halves, Hunter Paisami and Dre Pakeho will continue to link up in the midfield. Tim ‘The Junkyard Dog’ Ryan starts on the left wing, with Lachie Anderson on the right, and Jock Campbell is at fullback.

This match is scheduled to get underway at 12:05 pm AEST.

Queensland Reds team to take on Fijian Drua

1. Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High – Beaudesert Warriors
2. Richie Asiata – Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
3. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
4. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
5. Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach RC
6. Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
7. Fraser McReight (vc) – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
9. Tate McDermott (c) – University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar – Flinders RC
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
11. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland – Manukau Rovers
13. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School – Pine Rivers Pumas
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland – Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC, Sydney
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
Reserves:
16. Max Craig – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School – Easts
17. Alex Hodgman – Sunnybank – Mount Albert Grammar, NZ – Suburbs RFC, Auckland
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen – Norths – Wellington College, NZ
19. Josh Canham – Bond University – Brighton Grammar, Melb – Harlequins RC, Melb
20. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths – John Edmondson HS, Sydney – Southern Districts, Sydney
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School – Souths
22. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond RC, UK
23. Heremaia Murray – Bond University – Auckland Grammar – Te Rarawa RC, NZ

Unavailable through injury: George Blake, Filipo Daugunu, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Will McCulloch, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright