Queensland Reds to be boosted by the presence of Wallabies Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight

The Reds have called on some key personnel in their bid to beat the Chiefs in Waikato on Friday.

Star Wallabies forwards Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight will make timely returns to Queensland’s line-up for the Reds’ top-of-the-table Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Chiefs in Waikato on Friday.

National captain and No.8 Wilson was rested for Queensland’s 28-24 win over Western Force last Saturday, while flanker McReight has missed the Reds’ past two games with an injured AC joint.

The pair’s return are among eight changes to the Reds team that started in the home victory over the Force.

Five are in the forwards, with McReight, Wilson, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Josh Canham coming in for the rested Seru Uru, benched trio Richie Asiata, Ryan Smith and John Bryant, and the omitted Massimo de Lutiis.

The other three changes are in the backs, with captain and halfback Tate McDermott – who came off the bench last weekend – flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and centre Hunter Paisami replacing Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh and Tim Ryan.

With the fit-again Paisami slotting into the centres alongside Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu will move back to the wing.

Reds star Fraser McReight has recoverd from an AC joint injury. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Hunter has been a fantastic influence on how Dre has developed this season,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.

“Dre has made the most of every minute he has had this season and his positive attitude has been first-class.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Dre’s partnership with Hunter.”

The first-placed Reds are a point ahead of the Chiefs, who have won 19 of their past 21 games at FMG Stadium in Waikato.

“It’s a great ground to play rugby at. It’s also one of the toughest places to play at with a boisterous fan base with their cow bells,” Kiss said.

“We’ve shown we are robust and resilient and that our skills have come through to solve problems at the right time.

“We work at being stronger each week. This is another challenge to aim up to in Hamilton against a team that has shown they are right on top of their game.”

New Zealand-born Reds prop Toomaga-Allen said the Chiefs were a “formidable beast”.

“They are winning games for a reason, so we’ve got to try to figure out the keys to success against them,” Toomaga-Allen said.

Reds: Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray. Bench: Richie Asiata, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Jock Campbell.