Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon will return from a knee injury off the bench for Queensland when the Reds host the Chiefs in a crucial Super Rugby Pacific clash on Friday.
The fifth-placed Reds can eat into the nine-point margin between and the third-placed Chiefs with a win at Suncorp Stadium.
However, the enormity of the task isn’t lost on Queensland coach Les Kiss.
“Along with the (top-of-the-table) Hurricanes, the Chiefs are the most in-form team in the competition to date,” Kiss said.
“We are well aware they are a dangerous team. A match like this will again require our mental toughness to shine through to keep at the task throughout.”
Aiding the Reds’ cause will be the availability of Gordon, who hasn’t played since injuring his knee in Queensland’s 31-26 win over the Crusaders on April 11.
“Carter comes back on the bench,” Kiss said.
“The squad has really benefitted from the depth we have at No.10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has been in excellent form and has grown his tactical acumen.”
McLaughlin-Phillips will again start at flyhalf, while another of Queensland’s playmakers, Tom Lynagh, remains sidelined with injury.
The only change to the backline that started in the Reds’ 30-21 home win over the ACT Brumbies last Saturday is the inclusion of winger Lachie Anderson, who replaces the “managed” Tim Ryan.
It will be Anderson’s first Super Rugby appearance since he injured his wrist in Queensland’s 34-31 win over the Brumbies in Canberra on March 7.
“I’m stoked to be back,” Anderson said.
“The injury was frustrating but I’ve worked really hard on my rehab, and it’s progressed a lot quicker than initially anticipated.
“What a game to come back in. The Chiefs are a big challenge but one we are up for.
“They are hard to beat anywhere so to have them in our own backyard is huge for us.”
Anderson said Queensland’s backline had been “excellent”.
“Our back three of Tim, Filipo (Daugunu) and Jock Campbell, the veteran at the back, have been in career-best form,” he said.
The Reds have made one change to their forward pack, with prop George Blake replacing the injured Aidan Ross (toe).
“Aidan has a toe issue. It’s a difficult one, to assess but we feel it is a short-term issue,” Kiss said.
“We have the experienced George Blake to come in there plus all that Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has given us in each game off the bench.”
Queensland Reds: George Blake, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lachie Anderson, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell. Reserves: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Treyvon Pritchard.
