Liam Gill breaks camp from Commonwealth Games sevens to play for Reds against NSW
LIAM Gill has been allowed to leave Australia’s Commonwealth Games sevens camp and will play for the Reds against NSW on Saturday night.
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THE Queensland Reds have brokered a deal for Liam Gill to break camp with Australia’s Commonwealth Games sevens side so he can duel with NSW skipper Michael Hooper in Saturday night’s interstate clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Flanker Gill will earn his 50th cap for Queensland when he comes off the bench.
Reds coach Richard Graham approached new sevens coach Geraint John to organise the surprise move which has a much upside for Australian rugby.
Gill had yearned to have the best of both worlds, playing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 26-27 and also competing against Hooper, Australia’s top No.7, to press his chances of a Wallabies recall on the interstate stage he loves.
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“I would like to thank Geraint John for his support in this matter. Geraint has been outstanding to deal with and I wish him well in the upcoming Commonwealth Games,” Graham said.
“Whether it is rugby, cricket or league, Queensland versus NSW is still the greatest of rivalries.
“Getting Gilly back from the Australian Sevens program is a significant boost to the squad,” Graham said.
“He is class footballer and his desire to play for the Reds illustrates how much the playing group care. He understands the risks associated, but is willing to accept those in order to play for the Reds.”
Graham has made two changes to his starting XV for his team’s final match of the season.
A broken jaw for Nick Frisby has created an unlikely opportunity for Scott Gale to start his first match for the Reds at halfback because Will Genia is also injured. Veteran prop Greg Holmes, after a knee injury, returns to the starting line-up in place of Ben Daley.
On the bench, winger Chris Kuridrani is in position to make his Reds debut for an injury-rocked backline.
“Scott has been around the program since October in the Wider Training Squad or Under 20s and has a strong understanding of how we want to play the game. More importantly he has the confidence and support of his teammates,” Graham said.
“Chris (Kuridrani) comes onto the bench as cover for the back three. After a disrupted period with injury, he has worked hard to get back on the field and prove his qualities here among our squad and at club Rugby. He is a big lad and will do everything at 100 kilometres an hour if he gets the opportunity.”
Graham’s selection options were limited by a long injury list with squad members Quade Cooper (shoulder/hip), Anthony Faingaa (calf), Chris Feauai-Sautia (shoulder), Nick Frisby (jaw), Will Genia (ankle), Eddie Quirk (knee), Dom Shipperley (ankle), Aidan Toua (pectoral/hamstring) and Blake Enever (bicep) all unavailable.
The Reds will wear a specially-designed Heritage Round jersey, with the names of thousands of Reds members and fans printed onto the playing shirts. In order to have their names printed on this unique, one-of-a-kind jersey, members and fans made donations toward the ongoing fundraising efforts for Queensland Rugby’s SCRUM Monument.
The SCRUM is an architectural structure which will be built at Suncorp Stadium to celebrate Queensland’s rich 131-year Rugby history and will become a focal point for Rugby fans, symbolising the strength, scale and reach of the code in this state.
Reds team to play Waratahs
1. James Slipper
2. James Hanson
3. Greg Holmes
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill
6. Curtis Browning
7. Beau Robinson
8. Jake Schatz
9. Scott Gale
10. Ben Lucas
11. Lachie Turner
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Rod Davies
15. Mike Harris
Reserves:
16. Saia Faingaa
17. Ben Daley
18. Albert Anae
19. Dave McDuling
20. Liam Gill
21. Sam Johnson
22. Jamie-Jerry Taulagi
23. Chris Kuridrani
Originally published as Liam Gill breaks camp from Commonwealth Games sevens to play for Reds against NSW
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