Queensland skipper Fraser McReight has been given the weekend off despite the Reds’ place in the Super Rugby Pacific top-six under jeopardy.
Wallabies star McReight will miss the Reds’ clash with Western Force in Perth on Saturday night to have a “regeneration week”.
It’s the second time this season the flanker has missed a game to rest and is understood to be because of reported World Rugby management rules – being adhered to by Rugby Australia – that prevent some players from playing six weeks in succession.
Also being rested this week are centre Josh Flook and winger Filipo Daugunu.
Depending on the result of Friday night’s game between the Chiefs and the Highlanders, the Reds could drop out of the top six with a loss at HBF Park to the Force, who have already beaten Queensland this season.
Replacing McReight on the side of the scrum will be John Bryant, while Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson will captain the Reds.
“John Bryant has been outstanding for Souths in the Hospital Cup,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.
“He knows the role he needs to play as a No.7. It gives us a chance for Fraser to have a bit of a regeneration and get a couple of little knocks looked after so he can refresh.”
Coming in for Flook and Daugunu are Isaac Henry and Tim Ryan respectively.
“Isaac was very impressive in four games for us earlier in the season, and Tim returns fresh from his own regeneration week,” Kiss said.
Overall, the Reds have made eight changes to the team that started in last Friday’s 31-21 home loss to the Chiefs.
Other alterations in the pack are the inclusion of hooker Josh Nasser, prop Massimo De Lutiis and lock Hamish Muller at the respective expense of Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Faessler and Nonggorr will come off the bench, while Salakaia-Loto will remain in Brisbane for the impending birth of his third child.
“Massimo has earned his call-up over the past few weeks with the way he’s found his rhythm through club footy,” Kiss said.
“Lukhan was keen to play in Perth. With the imminent birth of his third child, we thought he should be around his family for that reason, and it’s also the ideal chance for him to have a regeneration week after his workload.”
The Reds have also changed their starting halves pairing, with playmaker Carter Gordon and halfback Louis Werchon replacing Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Kalani Thomas respectively.
McLaughlin-Phillips has been left out of Queensland’s squad for the first time this season after suffering a head knock at training this week.
“I’m really excited about the team we have out there. There are a lot of players who have been playing well this year but haven’t been able to get a chance,” Kiss said.
Meanwhile, Wallaby Tate McDermott’s comeback from a long-term hamstring injury is gathering steam, with the star halfback to make his return to club rugby this weekend for University of Queensland.
“Tate’s available now. We had a good chat about what he’d like to do, and we felt the best thing was to go have some minutes (in club rugby) and see how he goes there,” Kiss said.
Reds: George Blake, Josh Nasser, Massimo De Lutiis, Hamish Muller, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Harry Wilson (c), Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Lachie Anderson, Hunter Paisami, Isaac Henry, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell, Bench: Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr. Charlie Brosnan, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard