Reds pick Beau Robinson in starting XV for Suncorp clash against the Stormers
BEAU Robinson has been promoted to start for the first time in 2014 to fill the void left by the injured Liam Gill at the Queensland Reds.
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ABRASIVE flanker Beau Robinson has been promoted to start for the first time in 2014 to fill the void left by the injured Liam Gill at the Queensland Reds.
Robinson’s excellent cameos off the bench are welcome comfort that he can do the job against the Stormers at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night while Gill (hamstring) looks on.
Robinson, hooker James Hanson and winger Dom Shipperley have been brought into the starting line-up following last weekend’s wasted opportunity in Johannesburg. A savage penalty count had the Reds reeling but it should be no excuse for losing 23-20 after leading 20-3.
Hanson comes into the starting side for Saia Faingaa, who will play his 100th Super Rugby match off the bench.
Shipperley comes in for the injured Aidan Toua (pectoral muscle). He will slot in on the wing which allows Lachie Turner to play at fullback.
Coach Richard Graham has made a conservative call by including utility Ben Lucas on the bench.
He has ignored sharp-stepping rookie Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 20, who would have offered far more X-factor as a super-sub for the outside backs because no Toua or Chris Feauai-Sautia (hamstring) greatly reduces that element.
Following scans earlier this week, the Reds have learned Gill will be out of action for six weeks and Toua for 10 weeks. This is in addition to Chris Feauai-Sautia (hamstring) who will miss three weeks and Ben Daley (knee) who will miss six weeks.
“It is always disappointing to lose players for long periods, however the opportunity is there now for Beau and Dom to contribute positively to our game,” Graham said.
“Both have been involved in every game this season. Beau brings an abrasiveness to the collision area and is an excellent communicator. Dom has started in three of the games and is continuing to develop his game, particularly his involvement in the close in channels.”
Curtis Browning is a new face on the bench as backrow back-up.
Reserve lock Ed O’Donoghue will reach his 50th Queensland cap if he is subbed into the game.
“It is a fantastic milestone for Saia … 100 Super Rugby caps is a very notable achievement,” Graham said.
“With his caps split over time with the Brumbies and Reds, I think Saia would relish the opportunity potentially next year to also notch 100 games for Queensland.”
“Donk (O’Donoghue) is in his second stint after some time in Europe. He is a great team man and the boys will celebrate his 50th cap for the Reds. It is a good example to the younger players of perseverance and commitment to achieving your goals.”
Graham said the team needed little motivation to leave Suncorp with a win on Saturday night.
“We’ve had a difficult start to the season and the team is looking forward to returning to our fortress on Saturday night,” Graham said.
Graham also addressed the team’s recent run of penalties.
“Four of the Australian franchises (Waratahs, Brumbies, Force, Reds) sit atop the Super Rugby penalty count,” Graham said.
“It gives a strong indication of the mentality the Australian teams are taking, particularly at the defensive breakdown. Whilst we have conceded penalties in this area, we have also forced the most turnovers, averaging eight per game, and also forced opposition teams to play with the second slowest breakdown ball,” Graham said.
“We continue to work on the skill and the decision making but it is risk v reward.
“Our attacking breakdown had come under scrutiny. We have put a fair bit of time into our attacking framework and we only conceded one penalty in attack on the weekend. That is a great result and supports the work we have done.”
Reds team to play Stormers
1. James Slipper
2. James Hanson
3. Greg Holmes
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Eddie Quirk
7. Beau Robinson
8. Jake Schatz
9. Will Genia (vc)
10. Quade Cooper
11. Dom Shipperley
12. Mike Harris
13. Ben Tapuai
14. Rod Davies
15. Lachie Turner
16. Saia Faingaa
17. Albert Anae
18. Jono Owen
19. Ed O’Donoghue
20. Curtis Browning
21. Nick Frisby
22. Anthony Faingaa
23. Ben Lucas
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