Reds v Crusaders: Adam Thomson overlooked for trial clash at Ballymore

THE Queensland Reds have decided against rushing former All Black Adam Thomson into their final trial against the Crusaders at Ballymore.

Reds recruit Adam Thomson makes his first appearance at Ballymore training yesterday

THE Queensland Reds have decided not to rush former All Black Adam Thomson into their final trial on Friday night at Ballymore.

It is not his recent shoulder issue that prompted the call but the fact the big backrower has been out of rugby contact for nearly a month.

The Reds have decided to get him back into the heavy knocks of training first to prepare him for the Super Rugby opener in Canberra on February 13.

Thomson only arrived from Japan on Wednesday and had a light second run with his new team on Thursday.

Karmichael Hunt will start at flyhalf in his side’s final pre-season clash against the Crusaders on Friday night.

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Reds recruit Adam Thomson chats to Quade Cooper at Ballymore.

Reds head coach Richard Graham has announced a 23-man squad for the fixture, with a further three players to be added. In all Graham has made three changes to the starting team from last week’s match.

Hunt’s move to starting flyhalf has shifted 20-year-old Duncan Paia’aua to the reserves bench, Chris Feauai-Sautia has been brought into a starting wing spot and Jamie-Jerry Taulagi has moved to fullback.

“We took a number of positives out of last week’s match against the Rebels, but the conditions in Cairns really limited what we were able to do in attack,” Graham said.

“I thought our forwards were very good. They set us a strong platform. I’m hoping for more favourable conditions at Ballymore so we can play a more integrated game with all 15 players.

“With a week to go until Super Rugby starts this is an important fixture for us. We are focused on continuing to develop the core aspects of our game and improve with each outing.

“I’m also using these pre-season matches as an opportunity to assess all our options at flyhalf.

“I wouldn’t be preparing the team the best I could if I didn’t look deeply at our flyhalf options for Round 1.

“Karmichael has trained well in the position this week and deserves the chance against the Crusaders.”

The match also sees the return of prop Ben Daley (shoulder) and lock Ed O’Donoghue (ankle) from injury to bolster the forwards on the reserves bench.

Nine players were unavailable for selection, including James O’Connor, who it was hoped would return to play this week but suffered a bout of tonsillitis early in the week and has been unable to train.

All Blacks icon Dan Carter will play No. 10 for the Crusaders.

Queensland Reds v Crusaders

at Ballymore on Friday night

Reds (1-15): James Slipper (c), Saia Fainga’a, Sam Talakai, James Horwill, Marco Kotze, Curtis Browning, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Karmichael Hunt (vc), Chris Feauai-Sautia, Anthony Fainga’a, Samu Kerevi, Chris Kuridrani, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.

Reserves: Ben Daley, James Hanson, Sef Faagase, Ed O’Donoghue, Beau Robinson, Nick Frisby, Duncan Paia’aua, Campbell Magnay.

Crusaders: (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Dominic Bird, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd (c), Luke Whitelock, Mitchell Drummond, Daniel Carter, Johnny McNicholl, Tom Taylor, Kieron Fonotia, Robbie Fruean, Colin Slade.

Reserves: Ben Funnell, Ged Robinson, Joe Moody, Daniel Lienert — Brown, Scott Barrett, Tom Sanders, Billy Guyton, Nathaniel Apa, Nafi Tuitavaki, David Havili.

Originally published as Reds v Crusaders: Adam Thomson overlooked for trial clash at Ballymore