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Ryan Smith to lead Reds against Force after historic Highlanders win
By Finn Morton
After last weekend’s historic upset win away to the Highlanders in Dunedin, the Queensland Reds will turn to their second new captain in as many weeks with Ryan Smith stepping up to lead the team against the Western Force in Brisbane.
Smith captained the Reds in an off-season clash with the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan last November and has once again been bestowed the honour, but this time it’s in a crunch Super Rugby Pacific clash against an Aussie foe.
Coach Les Kiss has named regular team co-captain Tate McDermott, who has more often than not led the team solo while Liam Wright has been sidelined, has been named to come off the bench while last weekend’s skipper Harry Wilson has been given a well-earned rest.
Wilson played every minute of the Reds’ opening five matches this season, which sees them sit in third-place on the standings, with all four Australian teams currently in the top six. Flanker Fraser McReight is also being rested, while Wright is still unavailable.
“’Smithy’ did an excellent job in his week of captaincy in Japan and he is highly respected within our squad,” Kiss said in a statement.
“Tate will come off the bench this week with Kalani [Thomas] starting at halfback after a strong performance against the Highlanders last weekend.”
Former All Black turned Wallaby Alex Hodgman will pack down in the front row alongside hooker Richie Asiata and tighhead prop Massimo De Lutiis. Experienced lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto joins captain Smith in the second row to complete the tight five.
Seru Uru, John Bryant and Joe Brial will form a new-look loose forwards trio with regular starters Wilson and McReight among those not named.
Kalani Thomas has been named ahead of McDermott as Kiss mentioned above, with the scrum-half joining Tom Lynagh in the halves. Hunter Paisami and Filipo Daugunu are the starting centres again this week, with Josh Flook still unavailable.
Tim ‘Junkyard Dog’ Ryan, Lachie Anderson and Heremaia Murray will link up as the three outside backs, with this combination going from strength to strength in recent weeks.
“We are very happy with how our scrum is going. Both Alex and ‘Mass’ had a great impact off the bench against the Highlanders and get their chance to start against the Force,” Kiss explained.
“Harry [Wilson] has put in an unbelievable shift over five games. He’s having a rest week. We have high-quality backrowers at the Reds which enables us to start players of the calibre of Seru Uru, John Bryan and Joe Brial.”
This match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is due to kick off at 6:35 pm AEST on Saturday.
Queensland Reds team to play Western Force
1. Alex Hodgman - Sunnybank – Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland – Suburbs RFC, Auck
2. Richie Asiata - Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
3. Massimo De Lutiis - Wests – The Southport School – Surfers Paradise Dolphins
4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths – John Edmondson HS, Sydney
5. Ryan Smith (c) – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
6. Seru Uru - Wests - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
7. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
8. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
9. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond RC, UK
11. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
13. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC
15. Heremaia Murray - TBC – Auckland Grammar - Te Rarawa RC, NZ
Reserves:
16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts
17. George Blake - Bond University – The Southport School – Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
19. Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach RC
20. Connor Vest – Souths - Grafton High School - Grafton Junior RC
21. Tate McDermott - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Flinders RC
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School
Unavailable through injury: Jock Campbell, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Liam Wright
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