Seasoned pair Angus Blyth and Ryan Smith will start in the lock spots for the Queensland Reds in Saturday afternoon’s match against the Fijian Drua in Suva.
The Reds’ depth in the tight five has enabled head coach Les Kiss to effectively manage his personnel throughout a demanding SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific season.
Fellow lock options Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will both be used from the bench for impact in this Round 12 match.
“Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth will be the starting locks this week. We have great strength and depth in this position and locks who get through a power of work,” Kiss said.
“We know the importance of sustaining this for the full 80 minutes against a team like the Drua with the threats they possess.”
On the bench, hooker Max Craig, 21, is in line for a Super Rugby Pacific debut in his second season as a Reds squad member after playing for the Australian Under-20s in 2023. A standout for the Easts club this season, Craig made his Queensland debut against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in November, 2023 and played an uncapped trial against the same team on tour to Japan late last year.
In the backs, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will start at flyhalf with Tom Lynagh to be used from the bench.
“It’s great to be able to call on Harry. He did a fantastic job as a starter against the Chiefs. Tom will make his impact from the bench. It’s an important position and we are continuing to manage them,” Kiss said.
“Between Harry and Tom, we’ve got two good 10s. We said at the beginning of the year we would back both these young fellas and they are going sensationally well in the way they are growing.”
Flanker Seru Uru is looking forward to a tough challenge in the country of his birth.
“I’m always excited to go back to the homeland to play against the Drua. It’s always a big challenge, a tough one,” Uru said.
“For me, it’s always a special moment. It’s the only time that family get to watch me close up because it’s watching me behind a screen otherwise.
“We are well prepared as a team and looking forward to the game.”
Kiss said the excellent 35-21 victory over the Blues on Anzac Day was a really positive step.
“The boys lifted and really focussed on the things that matter. It is up to us to continue the momentum into Fiji this weekend,” Kiss said.
