Reddy and willing to make tough call

RUGBY UNION FRONTLINE forwards George Smith and Rob Simmons have been rested from Sunday’s tough tango in Buenos Aires in the biggest call of the Nick Stiles’ Reds reign.

Chopping further experience from the side seemed remote when the 200-game value of Quade Cooper (ban) and James Slipper (torn achilles) was lost this week.

Stiles has boldly stuck to his belief that utilising the entire squad, not just his top 15, is the only way to maximise performance during the most intense, high-travel period.

Out go another 251 games of combined Super Rugby experience because flanker Smith and lock Simmons are absent from the bench as well against the Jaguares.

Young livewire Adam Korczyk jumps into Smith’s No.7 jersey while the impressive charges of young lock Izack Rodda can get the Reds rumbling on the front foot without Simmons.

In other pack changes, bullocking runner Leroy Houston wins his first backrow chance of the year ahead of Hendrik Tui while Markus Vanzati will start at prop.

“We knew when we signed George and Stephen Moore that to get the best from their ability and experience, at their age, we had to manage them,” Stiles said.

“To think George would play every game is unrealistic coming off a full Top League season in Japan.

“Not to pick Simmo and George is a big call but we freshen them up and we have guys coming in who deserve these chances. We always knew we’d need to use depth during this gruelling part of the season plus we have genuine competition for spots.”

James Tuttle will take over the line-kicking now he has bumped Wallaby Nick Frisby from the halfback job.

Former Brisbane Bronco Lachie Maranta is on the bench for the first time as fullback-wing cover.

Stephen Moore steps up as captain in his return to the starting line-up for the 7.40am (Qld time) game on Sunday morning. FNQ Rugby rep game preview Tomorrow’s Cairns Post