Prop flies in from NZ to answer Reds’ SOS as O’Connor returns

A sudden prop problem at the Queensland Reds has prompted an SOS to New Zealand where a former Brisbane club rugby forward has been found.

Express delivery from New Zealand...new Queensland Reds prop Jack Straker is straight onto the reserves bench to play the Bulls. Photo: Tom Mitchell, QRU

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AN SOS to New Zealand has unearthed former GPS club prop Jack Straker as a scrum fix for the depleted Queensland Reds front-row.

Straker, 26, packed just a handful of scrums at training on Wednesday after flying in the same day but did enough to convince the Reds to punt on him for Saturday night.

Coach Brad Thorn rated him ready for a bench spot against the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium because of his solid credentials as a scrummager in New Zealand’s tough Mitre 10 Cup.

James O'Connor...back in the Reds’ starting line-up after proving his fitness this week at Ballymore training after a sprained ankle. Photo: Darren England, AAP

The Reds have moved quickly to make sure their clout as one of Super Rugby’s most formidable scrummaging units is not eroded on Saturday by illness, injury and inexperience.

When key figure JP Smith was ruled out with illness, the Reds couldn’t risk leaving prop duties in the hands of in-form Wallaby Taniela Tupou and three youngsters, Dane Zander, 20, Josh Nasser, 20, and Harry Hoopert, 21.

Tupou and Zander will start but tighthead Straker replaced Nasser on the bench after the team was announced when all his clearances were ticked.

Smith was tested for coronavirus as a precaution but returned a negative result.

Straker was activated as an injury-cover replacement because Feao Fotuaika (foot surgery) and Dave Feao (broken collarbone) are both out long-term.

Straker took charge of his career after playing Premier Rugby at GPS by heading to NZ.

Playing Mitre 10 Cup for Canterbury and Tasman (2017) and Northland (2018) has added experience to the natural traits of the Brisbane Grammar First XV prop of 2009-10.

Queensland captain Liam Wright (fourth from left with mullet) leads training warm-ups at Ballymore before Saturday night’s game against the Bulls. Photo: Darren England, AAP

“The Reds have got what they want...a tough prop with the scrum and other set piece skills as his bread and butter,” said Shane Arnold, Straker’s former coach at GPS.

James O’Connor makes a timely return at flyhalf after a game off to mend a right ankle sprain.

He will add much-needed poise to the Reds’ general kicking game as will the reinstatement of Bryce Hegarty, who is also the specialist goalkicker the team needs.

Hegarty has been picked on the wing while former Wallaby Chris Feauai-Sautia has shifted in a spot to outside centre to replace injured Hunter Paisami (knee).

The idiotic move to keep top halfback Tate McDermott on the bench as a finisher, behind Scott Malolua, can only backfire.

You set the up-tempo tone against the Bulls from the kick-off when a sniper like McDermott can probe for gaps among their forward giants with the best players around him.

Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo'unga lines up a kick against the Reds during last week’s 24-20 win in Christchurch. Photo: Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images

For the 3.35pm (AEST) first leg of the Suncorp Stadium double-header, the Crusaders are backing themselves to beat Japan’s Sunwolves without All Blacks Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Richie Mo’unga and Jack Goodhue.

All have been left at home.

Halfback Bryn Hall will captain a side that still includes All Blacks backs Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor and George Bridge.

REDS: Jock Campbell, Bryce Hegarty, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Hamish Stewart, Henry Speight, James O’Connor, Scott Malolua, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Harry Hockings, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Dane Zander. Reserves: Ed Craig, Harry Hoopert, Jack Straker, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Isaac Lucas, Filipo Daugunu.

CRUSADERS: George Bridge, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Faingaanuku, Brett Cameron, Bryn Hall (c), Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Sione Havili, Mitchell Dunshea, Luke Romano, Oliver Jager, Brodie McAlister, George Bower. Reserves: Hugh Roach, Isi Tuungafasi, Michael Alaalatoa, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Tom Sanders, Ere Enari, Fergus Burke, Manasa Mataele.