Queensland Reds co-captain Liam Wright sidelined again through injury

Queensland co-captain Liam Wright has again been sidelined ahead of the Reds’ weekend battle with the Waratahs.

Reds centre Hunter Paisami will return from suspension, but Queensland co-captain Liam Wright has suffered another injury setback and will miss Saturday night’s interstate grudge match against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.

Flanker Wright was only two games into his return from a long-term shoulder injury, and started for the Reds in their 43-19 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Crusaders last Sunday in Christchurch

However, in a “precautionary” move by Reds coach Les Kiss, Wright – who captained the Wallabies in one match last year – will have scans this week on his shoulder, and hasn’t been named in Queensland’s 23-man squad for the Bob Templeton Cup battle against the unbeaten Waratahs.

“Liam got a knock on the shoulder in the first half (against the Crusaders),” Kiss said.

“We’re investigating it further … as a precaution to make sure we get it right in terms of what it is.

“He’s in as positive a state of mind as he can be. It would weigh on anyone’s mind when that happens, but … we’re just being supportive.

“The locker room is right behind him.”

Wright has been replaced by Seru Uru, who returns from injury after missing the loss in Christchurch.

Liam Wright (centre) passes the ball during Queensland’s 43-19 loss to the Crusaders. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

Paisami also makes a welcome return after missing the Reds’ past two games through a suspension stemming from Queensland’s 56-36 win over Moana Pasifika last month.

With Paisami reinstated in Queensland’s backline, Dre Pakeho drops back to the bench,

Elsewhere in the backs, Tom Lynagh will start at flyhalf after being a late withdrawal last Sunday.

Apart from the inclusion of Uru., other changes to the starting pack are in the front-row, where props Sef Fa’agase and Zane Nonggorr come in for Alex Hodgman and Massimo de Lutiis.

“This is one of the big games on the rugby landscape in Australia in any year,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.

“For us, putting on the Queensland jersey to play at home to face NSW makes it even more compelling.

“The focus is 100 per cent on Saturday night and making the adjustments we need from our game against the Crusaders last weekend.

“I won’t take anything away from the Crusaders. We did hand them a lot of momentum.

“That comes back to us being more patient in the game to build more possession pressure and making more of the incisions we made.”

Reds: Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru., Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray. Bench: Richie Asiata, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho.

Originally published as Queensland Reds co-captain Liam Wright sidelined again through injury