1
Ex-All Black named to start in Reds’ grudge match against Waratahs
By Finn Morton
Former All Black Alex Hodgman will start for the Queensland Reds on Saturday night when they take on arch-rivals NSW Waratahs at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Hodgman, 30, is in line to debut for the Reds after previously enjoying stints with the Crusaders and Blues in New Zealand.
The New Zealand-prop has been included in a matchday squad that included nine players with Wallabies experience ahead of the newest instalment of this passionate rivalry.
“It’s tough, it’s exciting, it’s rivalry as its best. It’s an occasion I live for,” new coach Les Kiss said in a statement.
“As a team, we know what the Waratahs are capable of and what this game means to them. Nothing is taken for granted.
“The team picked for Queensland has the responsibility to fill the jersey and taken on a NSW team we expect to be a difficult opponent.
“I’ve got good options at No. 10 and this week it is Tom Lynagh’s opportunity.
“He’s familiar with what it takes at Super Rugby level after his debut season in 2023 and he’ll bring that experience to the game.
“Having a prop of Alex’s vast experience is fantastic. He’s played a lot of Super Rugby.”
Capped Australia internationals Liam Wright and Tate McDermott will co-captain the star-studded lineup which includes Wallabies Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr in the front row.
Joining those three in the Reds’ forward pack are locks Seru Uru and Ryan Smith, as well as backrowers Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson.
With James O’Connor set to miss at least three rounds with a hamstring injury, coach Kiss has decided to start rising star Tom Lynagh in the No. 10 shirt.
Lynagh has some genuine attacking weapons outside him, too, including Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook.
Downlands College product Mac Grealy get the nod to start on the left wing while former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu will run out on the right. Jordan Petaia has beaten in-from Josh Campbell in the race for the fullback jersey.
There are also three potential debutants on the bench in Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Josh Bryant and Cormac Daly.
Reds team to take on Waratahs
- Alex Hodgman**
- Matt Faessler
- Zane Nonggorr
- Seru Uru
- Ryan Smith
- Liam Wright (cc)
- Fraser McReight
- Harry Wilson
- Tate McDermott
- Tom Lynagh
- Mac Grealy
- Hunter Paisami
- Josh Flook
- Suliasi Vunivalu
- Jordan Petaia
Reserves
- Josh Nasser
- Peni Ravai
- Sef Fa’agase
- Cormac Daly*
- John Bryant*
- Kalani Thomas
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips*
- Jock Campbell
*Potential Super Rugby Pacific debut
**Queensland Reds debut
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Fabien Galthie's emphatic World Cup statement after Six Nations win
3
Four England talking points after their Six Nations rout of Wales
4
What Steve Borthwick told Matt Sherratt following Wales debacle
5
Latest Comments
🤣 VG Ardy👋
Go to commentsMy name is Amelia Jonathan from the United States, Using this opportunity to thank Dr. Ughulu is a grateful thing to me, for over years I have been sick with Hepatitis B disease, I have done a lot of things to get cured of my diseases and nothing has worked out. I have taken different types of medication for it , but it still doesn’t work for me. I still keep going for a check up so that the doctor will tell me my disease has be gone, because i’m taking my medicine with no result nothing has been cured, I have spent a lot of money just to get cure of Hepatitis B. until my old time friend came to my place and saw what am going through, and then direct me to contact Dr. Ughulu who is a very powerful man, which I did explain my problem to Dr. Ughulu and send me a herbal remedy bottle and explain to me how I should drink it. So I started to drink the herbal tea in one week that I drink the herbal tea. I went for a check up to check if I’m cured from Hepatitis B disease, then the nurse told me nothing is wrong with me anymore and said I’m fine. I am the happiest person right now. I promise Dr Ughulu I will testify about his good work on the internet. Reach out to Dr. Ughulu Via: drughulupowerfulspelltemple@gmail.com Thank you so much sir for what you did for me you’re the best of all. TEXT OR CALL: +1(252) 409-1841 or website: https://drughulupowerfulsp.wixsite.com/my-site-ughulu WHATSAPP NUMBER: +1(720) 794-2516
Go to comments