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Wallaby Jock Campbell to captain Reds in ‘awesome opportunity’ against Wales
By Finn Morton
Wallaby Jock Campbell will become the 127th captain in Queensland history after being named to lead the Reds in an intriguing clash with Waren Gatland’s Wales on Friday night.
Coach Les Kiss has appointed Campbell into the role, with the fullback set to captain a side that boasts 14 players with Super Rugby experience in the First XV.
Reds Academy and Brothers centre Dre Pakeho will link up with rising star Tim Ryan in the midfield, while the inclusion of 64-Test Wallaby James O’Connor is a big talking point.
This week’s clash at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will be the Reds’ first home match against a national side in 20 years, and they’re expecting their biggest home crowd in four years.
20,000 supporters are expected to attend the Reds’ first fixture against the Welsh since 1991. Wales are coming off a nine-Test losing streak and will want to end their season on a high.
“This is a wonderful honour for Jack, whose experience and leadership is evident around the Reds every week,” coach Les Kiss said in a statement.
“We’ve said to our guys that this is an opportunity that some never get.
“We’ll go out and back our game. I’ve been in the Test arena a bit myself as an assistant coach against Wales many times.
“They are a special rugby nation so I know these matches put a different demand on you.
“We need to be ready for that. The boys know it is an important game and they are ready for it.”
Sunnybank’s Sef Fa’agase will pack down in a front row along with Richie Asiata and former All Black Jeffery Toomaga-Allen. Connor Vest and Ryan Smith round out the tight five as the locks.
Wests’ Seru Uru joins youngster John Bryan and Joe Brial in the backrow. On the bench, watch out for forwards Matt Gibbon, Massimo De Lutiis and John Canham.
In the backs, halfback Louis Werchon joins O’Connor in the halves, while Pakeho and Ryan will line up just outside them as the centre combination.
Rounding out the starting side is Mac Grealy on the left wing, Floyd Aubrey on the right, and captain Jock Campbell out the back at fullback.
New recruit Lachie Anderson is in line to debut off the bench.
“I can speak for everyone in the squad when I say this is an awesome opportunity for the Reds and the players involved,” James O’Connor explained.
“We are playing a quality national team in what is pretty much a Test match situation.
“I haven’t played a much footy this season so I’m really looking forward to this game against a country I’ve enjoyed playing against in the past.”
This match at Suncorp Stadium is scheduled to get underway at 7:55 pm AEST on Friday night.
Queensland Reds to take on Wales
- Sef Fa’agase
- Richie Asiata
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
- Connor Vest
- Ryan Smith
- Seru Uru
- John Bryant
- Joe Brial
- Louis Werchon
- James O’Connor
- Mac Grealy
- Dre Pakeho
- Tim Ryan
- Floyd Aubrey
- Jock Campbell (c)
Replacements
- George Blake
- Matt Gibbon
- Massimo De Lutiiis
- Josh Canham
- Connor Anderson
- Will Cartwright
- Mason Gordon
- Lachie Anderson
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Latest Comments
Nice one John. I agree that defence (along with backfield kick receipt/positioning) remains their biggest issue, but that I did see some small improvements in it despite the scoreline like the additional jackal attempts from guys like tupou and the better linespeed in tight. But, I still see two issues - 1) yes they are jackaling, but as you point out they aren't slowing the ball down. I think some dark arts around committing an extra tackler, choke tackles, or a slower roll away etc could help at times as at the moment its too easy for oppo teams to get quick ball (they miss L wright). Do you have average ruck speed? I feel like teams are pretty happy these days to cop a tackle behind the ad line if they still get quick ball... and 2) I still think the defence wide of the 3-4th forward man out looks leaky and disconnected and if sua'ali'i is going to stay at 13 I think we could see some real pressure through that channel from other teams. The wallabies discipline has improved and so they are giving away less 3 pt opportunities and kicks into their 22 via penalty. Now, they need to be able to force teams to turnover the ball and hold them out. They scramble quite well once a break is made, but they seem to need the break to happen first... Hunter, marika and daugunu were other handy players to put ruck pressure on. Under rennie, they used to counter ruck quite effectively to put pressure on at the b/down as well.
Go to commentsYes, probably why he still annoys me even now
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