Reds dealt blow as Filipo Daugunu, Harry Wilson sidelined indefinitely

The Queensland Reds have suffered a major injury blow ahead of Saturday night’s Super Rugby blockbuster bout against the ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.

The Queensland Reds will experiment different combinations in round nine of the Super Rugby Pacific after injuries to two key men.

The Queensland Reds have suffered a major injury blow ahead of Saturday night’s blockbuster Super Rugby bout against the ACT Brumbies.

Incumbent Wallabies Harry Wilson (No.8) and Filipo Daugunu (centre) are key omissions in the matchday 23 set to tackle traditional rivals from the nation’s capital when they meet at Suncorp Stadium.

Last Friday’s 27-15 slip-up against the Chiefs in Waikato was a costly one, with barnstorming backrower Wilson sustaining a fracture in his arm.

Daugunu, the Reds best back through seven games this season, also sustained a calf niggle - the extent of which is undetermined.

Filipo Daugunu of the Queensland Reds during the round eight Super Rugby Pacific match between Chiefs and Queensland Reds at FMG Stadium. Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images.

Queensland’s injury warden is already nurturing co-captain Liam Wright. In the backline, injuries to Wallaby centre Josh Flook (hamstring) and emerging outside centre Frankie Goldsbrough emphasise the severity of Queensland’s struggles.

Saturday night’s game will mark the 100th Reds appearance for co-captain Tate McDermott but he will be without two of his most influential on both sides of the ball this season.

Flare-filled Fijian Seru Uru returns to the lineup to replace Wilson while 20-year-old revelation Dre Pakeho remains at outside centre, with Tim Ryan thrust into the lineup in the absence of Daugunu.

Queensland are fortunate they have a bye in round 10 which will provide Wilson and Daugunu time to recover without missing a match.

QUEENSLAND REDS TEAM LIST

Queensland Reds

1 Sef Fa’agase

2 Matt Faessler

3 Zane Nonggorr

4 Josh Canham

5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

6 Seru Uru

7 Fraser McReight

8 Joe Brial

9 Tate McDermott (c)

10 Tom Lynagh

11 Tim Ryan

12 Hunter Paisami

13 Dre Pakeho

14 Lachie Anderson

15 Heremaia Murray

Reserves:

16 Richie Asiata

17 Alex Hodgman

18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen

19 Angus Blyth

20 John Bryant

21 Kalani Thomas

22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips

23 Jock Campbell

Unavailable through injury: Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright

Reds outside back Tim Ryan, the ‘Junkyard Dog’, will partner Lachie Anderson on the wings in Saturday’s clash at Suncorp. Picture credit: Anthony Wingard.