Hockings earns first start, Daugunu returns

Brisbane: The Reds have made two changes to their starting side ahead of their testing clash against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

After playing two games off the bench following recovery from a broken hand, Harry Hockings gets his first start of the season at lock alongside Izack Rodda, with Angus Blyth rested from the 23.

Angus Scott-Young also heads back into the starting XV after being rested last week, with Lukhan SalakaiaLoto shuffled to the bench to ease his workload.

ASSISTANT COACH

Reds assistant coach Jim McKay said the changes were in part due to the massive amount of competition for spots, something that would serve the team well as they look to manage the players’ workload in what they hope will be a long season.

“There’s plenty of competition there from one to 15 and within the forwards there’s some guys that have been doing a lot of minutes,” McKay said.

Flying Fijian Filipo Daugunu also returns to the side after serving a five-week suspension for a dangerous tackle in a pre-season match against the Rebels.

Daugunu comes on to the bench, with Bryce Hegarty slipping out of the 23, with the winger set to provide plenty of competition for Henry Speight, Chris Feauai-Sautia and Jock Campbell in the jostle for the back three.

“In the backs, we’ve got Lipo (Daugunu), who’s served his five-week suspension for his misdemeanour and that adds depth to us and there’s competition for spots,” McKay said. “If we cast our memory back, he scored those five tries at Gladstone, so if he’s in that sort of form again, he’ll be a good guy to bring off the bench and finish the game as well.”

Reds to face Sharks: 1. JP Smith, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Harry Hockings, 6. Angus Scott-Young,

7. Liam Wright ©, Harry Wilson,9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor,

11. Henry Speight, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia,15. Jock Campbell

Reserves: 16. Ed Craig, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Josh Nasser, 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Fraser McReight,

21. Scott Malolua, 22. Lucas, 23. Filipo Daugunu. Rugby.com.au