Hunter Paisami starts as Reds prepare for ‘tough’ Force out west

Wallaby Hunter Paisami is back at the perfect time for the Queensland Reds as they prepare to make the trek out west to take on the Force at Perth’s HBF Park.

Paisami will start at inside centre for the Reds as a direct replacement for the injured Issac Henry, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during the win over the Rebels in round four.

Henry is set for a six to nine-month recovery period after undergoing surgery to repair the ruptured patella tendon he suffered last time out at AAMI Park.

But Paisami comes in as a timely replacement, with the more-than-20-Test Wallaby’s inclusion coming as a major boost to the Reds as they search for what would be their fourth win in five starts.

Queensland are second on the Super Rugby Pacific standings behind the Hurricanes. The Canes are the only team who have beaten the Reds this season, but that was a golden point thriller during Super Round in Melbourne.

“Before being sidelined, Hunter was in top form with his consistently solid performances. He is a plus for us,” coach Kes Kiss said in a statement.

“Our analysis of the Force shows they are playing periods of really good rugby. We played and lost to them in a trial at Ballymore six weeks ago so we know how tough an opponent they will be on their home ground.

“We have to concentrate on our own game to keep our standards high. We know we put ourselves under pressure against the Rebels in the second half last game so there have been areas of our game to work on.

“The guys are a very tight group and this opportunity on the road is another chance to keep improving.”

The other big change for the Reds sees 19-year-old playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips make way for 20-year-old Tom Lynagh to start in the No. 10 jersey this week.

McLaughlin-Phillips was impressive in the starting role during the commanding win over the Rebels on Friday night, but Lynagh has emerged as a genuine Wallabies bolter.

2023 Junior Wallaby Taj Annan has also been named on the bench with Australia international Jordan Petaia ruled out as he goes through HIA protocols.

The rest of the matchday squad remains the same with the likes of Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson and Josh Flook looking to continue their purple patch of form in Perth.

Queensland will take on the Western Force at 6.35 pm AEST in Perth on Saturday evening.

Reds team to take on Western Force

1. Peni Ravai
2. Matt Faessler
3. Zane Nonggorr
4. Seru Uru
5. Ryan Smith
6. Liam Wright (cc)
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson
9. Tate McDermott (cc)
10. Tom Lynagh
11. Mac Grealy
12. Hutner Paisami
13. Josh Flook
14. Suliasi Vunivalu
15. Jock Campbell

Reserves

16. Josh Nasser
17. George Blake
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19. Cormac Daly
20. John Bryant
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
23. Taj Annan