In-form fullback Jock Campbell has been given the week off by the Queensland Reds to ensure he’s fully fit for next month’s Super Rugby Pacific finals series.
Having started in all of the Reds’ previous 13 matches this season, Campbell won’t play against Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night to “regenerate” and ensure he overcomes what has been described as a “minor niggle” before the Reds start their guaranteed finals campaign.
Teenage sensation Treyvon Pritchard will shift from wing to wear the No.15 jersey in Campbell’s absence.
“It gives us a great opportunity for Treyvon to have a go at 15 from the start, and likely to the finish,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.
“He’s up for it.”
In a reshuffled Reds backline, winger Lachie Anderson and centre Hunter Paisami have also been included in the starting team, with versatile Wallaby Filipo Daugunu dropping back to the bench.
There are also four changes to the forward pack that started in Queensland’s 33-31 away win over Moana Pasifika last Saturday.
The Reds will start with a a completely different front-row of Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr, who come in for George Blake, Josh Nasser and Massimo De Lutiis.
Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also returns following the birth of his daughter.
Salakaia-Loto’s presence has resulted in fellow Wallaby Seru Uru reverting to flanker, with Joe Brial dropping down to the bench.
“Joe has started every game and played the most minutes of any forward for us,” Kiss said.
“He has taken his game to a new level this year and will be valuable impact from the bench.”
The sixth-placed Reds could finish as high as fourth on the ladder depending on this weekend’s results.
“We are not in control of the permutations for the finals, so all our focus is on addressing this game and getting the win,” Kiss said.
“The Fijian Drua are a dangerous proposition. (They) showed with their win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra how strong they are.
“They are extremely tough customers at the breakdown with the turnovers they force, and everyone knows they can counter-attack from anywhere if you let them.”
Meanwhile, the ACT Brumbies will welcome No.8 Charlie Cale back into their starting team for Saturday’s home clash against Moana Pasifika.
A bonus-point win over the last-placed Pasifika could be enough to secure the Brumbies a home game in the first week of the finals.
Cale scored nine tries in seven matches at the start of the season before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said there had been no thought of resting players ahead of the finals series.
“We’ve had a bye two weeks ago. All the players are nice and fresh,” Larkham said.
“We’ve certainly got to focus on trying to win this weekend. We’ve picked a team that reflects that.”
Elsewhere, the Waratahs have made six changes to their starting team for Saturday night’s battle with Western Force at HBF Park, where both teams will only have pride to play for.
Jamie Adamson, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Andrew Kellaway, Joey Walton and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will come into the starting XV.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said: “We want to finish the season well. It’s incredibly disappointing not to be playing finals.”
Queensland Reds: Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Treyvon Pritchard. Bench: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Vaiuta Latu, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, Ben Volavola, Filipo Daugunu.
