Full house of Gold Coast talent headlines Queensland Reds squad vs Brumbies

Brad Thorn has named a full house of Gold Coast talents to take on the Brumbies in the Queensland Reds season opener in Canberra on Friday night.

Brad Thorn has named a full house of Gold Coast talents to take on the Brumbies in the Queensland Reds season opener in Canberra on Friday.

Backline stars James O’Connor, Jock Campbell and Henry Speight were certainties to start but towering TSS and Bond University lock Angus Blyth has been thrust into the limelight for his first Super Rugby start.

Gold Coast Rugby Union player James OConnor is returning to Queensland to be close to family on the Gold Coast after recently signing with the St.George Queensland Reds. After a rocky few years he is returning to his roots to reinvent himself. Picture: Jerad Williams

Injuries to presumed starters Izack Rodda and Harry Hockings opened the door for Blyth to partner Wallaby Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the battle between Australia’s top contenders.

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Blyth made the most of two pre-season matches to prove to his mentor he was ready to handle the responsibility of marshalling the team’s lineout.

“There are a few locks still out but I feel like I put my hand up and gave everything (in pre-season),” the 204cm giant said.

“I put my hand up and took a bit more leadership on runs and hits to get a bit more of an impact.

Queensland Reds lock Angus Blyth at the team's 2020 Media Day at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Cavan Flynn

“I took a bit of charge of running the lineout last week and I feel comfortable calling and running the lineout.

“It’s almost second nature to me now.”

An even greater surprise was the timely return from injury of prop Feao Fotuaika, the older brother of Titans forward Moeaki.

The 130kg prop, who swapped sides to tighthead, missed the Reds entire pre-season campaign due to injury.

Fotuaika returns for his first game since last year’s season-ending ankle injury via the bench, where he will feature in the second half alongside Bond University hooker Alex Mafi.

REDS TEAM TO PLAY BRUMBIES, 6.15PM FRIDAY (15-1)

Bryce Hegarty, Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Henry Speight, Isaac Lucas, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith. Reserves: Alex Mafi, Dane Zander, Feao Fotuaika, Izack Rodda, Seru Uru, Moses Sorovi, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami