Jock Campbell will begin for the primary time this yr because the refreshed Queensland Reds brace for a Blues backlash of their Anzac Day conflict.
Fullback Campbell has performed twice off the bench since coming back from a fractured arm, however will carry composure to Friday’s Lang Park encounter.
Prop Massimo De Lutiis can be again within the squad and can come off the bench for some late energy within the scrum.
Heremaia Murray will return to the bench for Campbell because the injury-hit Reds try and offset the absences of Filipo Daugunu, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson and Liam Wright.
The Reds misplaced twice earlier than a bye final week to drop from first to fourth place with six rounds to play.
The Blues sit eighth after a gradual begin to their Tremendous Rugby title defence, however boast a number of All Blacks stars who ran riot in an exhilarating 41-34 win within the corresponding fixture final yr.
Reds coach Les Kiss acknowledged the significance of final week’s bye to refresh some drained our bodies and minds, and that Campbell’s smarts can be essential in opposition to the Blues.
“It is a (Blues) group actually coming again into kind,” Kiss stated.
“Very cautious … they seem to be a bit up and down by their very own admission. They’ve needed to navigate via some uneven waters, so we will must be good.”
The Blues shall be smarting after an 82nd-minute James O’Connor penalty kick secured the Crusaders a 25-22 win final weekend.
Dalton Papali’i (ankle) and Caleb Clarke (thigh) will miss the conflict for the Blues, whereas Beauden Barrett will come off the bench as he returns from sickness.
Scrum half Finlay Christie has traditionally been a thorn within the Reds’ facet, whereas Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane and Zarn Sullivan will present the midfield and backline strike.
The Western Pressure have promoted scrum half Henry Robertson for a beginning debut in Friday’s conflict with the Chiefs after Nic White (HIA) was dominated out.
Marley Pearce and Vaiolini Ekuasi (shoulders) have been each casualties of final week’s 17-17 draw with the Hurricanes and shall be changed by Ryan Coxon and Will Harris.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who was withdrawn within the warm-up in opposition to the Hurricanes, is unavailable with an ankle harm.
In Canberra, James Slipper and Billy Pollard will pack down within the scrum as starters for the third-placed Brumbies in opposition to the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Luke Reimer (managed) and Len Ikitau (HIA) additionally come again into the line-up after lacking the 24-0 win over Moana Pasifika, the primary shut-out of this yr’s competitors.
AAP
