Super Rugby: Queensland Reds face challenging game at the Lions

Ben Tapuai: Comes into the XV at outside centre for Reds

Willie Wepener: The hooker replaces the injured Robbie Coetzee for Lions

The Queensland Reds have to adjust to Johannesburg’s high altitude for their challenging game against Golden Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Lions have won three of their five matches this season, and defeated the Auckland Blues last weekend, while the Reds fell to the Sharks in Durban.

Lions head coach Johan Ackermann makes just one change to his starting line-up that will take on the Reds.

That change comes at hooker where Willie Wepener replaces the injured Robbie Coetzee.

Meanwhile, on the bench, Mark Pretorius comes up into the squad after performing well in the junior ranks. He will provide cover at hooker.

Another promising junior figure, Stephan de Wit, will also look to earn his first Super Rugby cap off the bench. This after back-row forward Warwick Tecklenburg failed a concussion test this week.

Additionally, utility back Lionel Mapoe has now recovered from his hamstring strain and will also provide cover on the replacements bench.

One change for Reds

The Reds trail the ACT Brumbies by four points in the Australian conference and head coach Richard Graham has made one change to his starting XV.

Wallabies centre Ben Tapuai comes into the XV at outside centre, following a hamstring injury to Chris Feauai-Sautia during training. Feauai-Sautia has returned to Brisbane to undergo scans.

Graham has also made two changes to his replacements bench, with Albert Anae providing cover at prop and either Anthony Fainga’a or Ben Lucas filling the final spot, with the decision to be made following training on Thursday.

Lions: 15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 JW Jonker, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Faf de Klerk, 1 Schalk van der Merwe, 2 Willie Wepener, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 4 Franco Mostert, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Jaco Kriel, 7 Willie Britz, 8 Warren Whiteley.

Replacements: 16 Mark Pretorius, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 MB Lusaseni, 20 Stephan de Wit, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Ruan Combrinck.

Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 1 James Slipper, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 3 Greg Holmes, 4 Rob Simmons, 5 James Horwill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 7 Liam Gill, 8 Jake Schatz.

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O’Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Anthony Fainga’a/Ben Lucas, 23 Dom Shipperley.

Article source: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/ru-headlines/rugby-union-scarbrough-s-warning-for-england-ahead-of-all-blacks-1-6240311

Super Rugby: Queensland Reds face challenging game at the Lions