James O’Connor, Jock Campbell again miss out on starting spots with Reds

Striving for “consistency”, the Queensland Reds have named an unchanged starting 15 for their Super Rugby Pacific battle with the Brumbies.

James O'Connor remains on the bench for the Reds. Picture: Hannah Peters / Getty Images

Wallabies pair James O’Connor and Jock Campbell will have to settle for Queensland bench spots for a second successive week, with the Reds naming an unchanged starting team for Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Brumbies in Canberra,

Having been thrashed 47-13 by the Hurricanes on the opening weekend of the season, the Reds hit back hard last Sunday with 71-20 demolition of the Western Force.

Flyhalf O’Connor and utility back Campbell returned from injury in the win via the bench, and they have again been given the role of “finishers” this weekend.

Reds co-captain Tate McDermott backed the pair to provide the Queenslanders with composure in the closing stages of what promises to be a tough encounter against the unbeaten Brumbies.

“Jock’s had a handful of Wallabies caps but James has been there, in and around that (Wallabies) set-up for a number of years, and he’s an older head that’s really important at the end of the game,” McDermott said.

“Their experience and their game-management towards the back end of the game will be crucial, particularly in a game like this.”

Jock Campbell has again been named on Queensland’s bench. Picture: Dan Peled / Getty Images

McDermott said “consistency” in selection was important for the Reds.

“Having an unchanged starting team … is a step in the right direction.”

Halfback McDermott was delighted with the way the Reds bounced back against the Force after their first-up loss.

“We asked the boys for a response and they did that in spades, (but) we can’t really get ahead of ourselves,” he said.

“(The Brumbies are) another really important challenge for us. We found out where we were as a side in round one and we’ve grown a lot.

“We’ve had six days to prepare for the best team in Australia. We’ve had some pretty fierce encounters over the past couple of years and we’ve developed a pretty good rivalry.”

Reds: Dane Zander, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia. Bench: Richie Asiata, Sef Fa’agase, Peni Ravai, Connor Vest, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Jock Campbell.

Originally published as James O’Connor, Jock Campbell again miss out on starting spots with Reds