Rising star Josh Flook will play his fiftieth sport for Queensland on Saturday evening when the Reds host the Western Pressure in a blockbuster Australian derby at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
With the ninth-placed Pressure trying to sneak into the highest eight earlier than the tip of the common season, they’re a considerably determined aspect who aren’t be taken evenly by the Reds.
Queensland have been overwhelmed by the Pressure – and fairly emphatically too – earlier this season, and whereas the Reds can’t transfer any greater than fifth, momentum is essential at the moment of 12 months.
“We recognise we should be at our greatest towards the Pressure,” coach Les Kiss stated in a press release. “They’ve discovered their groove over the previous 5 weeks.
“They’ve been taking part in some spectacular rugby.
“We’re wanting ahead to taking part in strongly at Suncorp Stadium in our final dwelling sport earlier than the finals.”
One of many tales of the week is Josh Flook lining up for his 50th Queensland Reds look. Flook is broadly thought-about a Wallaby-in-waiting and that is one other essential milestone.
Flook is available in as certainly one of eight modifications to the beginning aspect which additionally consists of the return of Tom Lynagh within the No. 10 jersey.
“(Flook) personifies the standard of a participant who the gamers like to play with and coaches love to teach,” Kiss defined.
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“’Flooky’ has glorious timing in assault and defence and that helps give him the higher hand in taking part in exterior centre.
“He’s having a season he could be very happy with. To achieve 50 video games for Queensland is effectively deserved.”
Seru Uru and Ryan Smith are the 2 locks, whereas co-captain Liam Wright joins Fraser McReight and John Bryant within the backrow.
Co-captain Tate McDermott begins at halfback for the second week in a row and can accomplice Lynagh within the halves. Hunter Paisami and Flook are exterior the pair within the midfield.
Toowoomba-product Mac Grealy will begin on the left wing, with try-scoring phenomenon Tim Ryan on the opposite, and the always-reliable Jock Campbell out the again.
This extremely anticipated Australian derby at Suncorp Stadium is ready to get underway at 7:35 pm NZT on Saturday night.
Queensland Reds to tackle Western Pressure
- Alex Hodgman
- Matt Faessler
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
- Seru Uru
- Ryan Smith
- Liam Wright (cc)
- Fraser McReight
- John Bryant
- Tate McDermott (cc)
- Tom Lynagh
- Mac Grealy
- Hunter Paisami
- Josh Flook
- Tim Ryan
- Jock Campbell
Replacements
- Josh Nasser
- Sef Fa’agase
- Zane Nonggorr
- Connor Vest
- Joe Brial
- Kalani Thomas
- James O’Connor
- Taj Annan
