The Reds have suffered a double blow ahead of Saturday’s grudge match against the Waratahs after skipper James Horwill and Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia were both ruled out through injury.
Horwill has a minor calf complaint while Genia will nurse knee and hand injuries in a bid to be ready for the Super Rugby finals starting next weekend.
The fifth-placed Reds are already assured a spot in the play-offs but can secure a home qualifying final if they beat the Waratahs and the fourth-placed Crusaders lose to the Hurricanes on Friday night.
Lock Ed O’Donoghue will start in Horwill’s absence while Nick Frisby will occupy the number nine jumper against the Waratahs, with prop James Slipper to captain the side.
“We’re in a unique circumstance where we’ve only got one game before the finals so it’s important we begin to get our combinations right and are choosing players who are completely fit and healthy for the next stages of our campaign,” Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said.
“You never wish to see players of the calibre of James Horwill and Will Genia miss games but James Slipper did an outstanding job in the opening month of the season and will lead us well into what is a very important match against the Waratahs.
“Rivalries in Australian Rugby don’t get much bigger and we’re proud to have won the past four games against NSW.
“That’s an important record to us, as is The Templeton Cup, and we’ll be determined for that to continue.”
Slipper says it’s a massive honour to captain the side in his 50th game for the Reds.
“Anytime you get to captain your state is a massive honour and to be doing it on the same night as you reach 50 Queensland and Super Rugby games makes it even more special,” he said.
“I really enjoyed the experience and learned a huge amount from captaining this team earlier in the year.
“It’s disappointing to be without James and Will, but to get this opportunity again is very rewarding and I’ll be doing everything within my power to get a Reds win on Saturday.
“Anytime you’re playing the Waratahs it’s a huge game and you can sense there is a real determination and resolve within the group at the moment to put in a really strong performance before the finals commence.”
Controversial flyhalf Quade Cooper has been named vice-captain by McKenzie, who will take over the Wallabies reins at the end of the Reds’ finals campaign.
REDS: 1. Greg Holmes, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. James Slipper (c), 4. Ed O’Donoghue, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Eddie Quirk, 7. Liam Gill, 8. Jake Schatz, 9. Nick Frisby, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Luke Morahan, 12. Mike Harris, 13. Ben Tapuai, 14. Rod Davies, 15. Ben Lucas.
Reserves: 16. Albert Anae, 17. Jono Owen, 18. Radike Samo, 19. Jarrad Butler, 20. Beau Robinson, 21. Anthony Faingaa, 22. Dom Shipperley.
Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/413842/Quins-snap-up-Kennedy
Genia, Horwill blow for Reds
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