Queensland Reds keep Ben Lucas at halfback for Lions game

Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn has resisted the urge to select Moses Sorovi at halfback for Saturday afternoon match against the Lions.

Ben Lucas in action during a training session with the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: AAP

Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn has resisted the urge to select Moses Sorovi at halfback for Saturday afternoon match against the Lions at Suncorp Stadium, instead retaining Ben Lucas in the role.

Sorovi made such a dramatic impact when he came off the bench against the Chiefs last weekend that it was expected he would be given a starting role against the Lions but with the South Africans leading the Super Rugby table, Thorn has opted for all the experience he can muster. That particularly might be the case as he has already made one change to the halves, bringing Hamish Stewart in for his run-on debut at five-eighth.

He takes over from Jono Lance who, along with loose-head and captain James Slipper has been ruled out with injury. Former Brumbies prop JP Smith has been brought into the front-row vacancy for his starting debut for Queensland.

In an exciting move, 18-year-old Jordan Petaia has been named on the left wing, taking over from Izaia Perese who has been shifted to the bench. Perese, who missed the start of the season for a partial ACL tear, was brought back into the team against the Waratahs just two matches ago.

As expected, George Smith returns at open side flanker, though the man he replaced Liam Wright certainly distinguished himself with his defence against the Chiefs. Still, with Kwagga Smith on the loose for the Lions, it was time to unleash Queensland’s most accomplished breakdown specialist.

The Reds have also made a number of changes to the bench with 19-year-old Toowoomba Grammar School prop Harry Hoopert being named for a possible Super Rugby debut, with Adam Korczyk being recalled as backrow cover for Smith, while Duncan Paia’aua returns to the match day 23 for the first time since Round six. Certainly if he can produce his best, he will bring some much-needed variety to the Reds attack.

The match will celebrate Rugby Family round, recognising the grassroots of the sport and Reds players have been permission to wear the socks of their original school or club.

St. George Queensland Reds team to play Lions

3:05pm AEST, Saturday 28 April — Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

1. JP Smith*** – GPS (GPS socks)

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa — Sunnybank (Sunnybank socks)

3. Taniela Tupou — Brothers (Brothers and Sacred Heart College socks)

4. Izack Rodda — Easts (Lismore City and Ballina Rugby Club socks)

5. Kane Douglas — Norths (Yamba Buccaneers socks)

6. Angus Scott-Young — University of Queensland (Anglican Church Grammar School socks)

7. George Smith — Brothers (Brothers socks)

8. Caleb Timu — Souths (Marsden State High School socks)

9. Ben Lucas — Sunnybank (Sunnybank socks)

10. Hamish Stewart** – Bond University (Toowoomba Grammar School socks)

11. Jordan Petaia** – Wests (Brisbane State High School socks)

12. Samu Kerevi (C) — Souths (Brisbane State High School socks)

13. Chris Feauai-Sautia — Souths (Brisbane State High School socks)

14. Filipo Daugunu — Wests (Wests socks)

15. Aidan Toua — Easts (Anglican Church Grammar School socks)

16. Alex Mafi — Bond University (St. Joseph’s Nudgee College socks)

17. Harry Hoopert* — Brothers (Dalby Wheatman socks)

18. Ruan Smith — GPS (GPS socks)

19. Harry Hockings — University of Queensland (Anglican Church Grammar School socks)

20. Adam Korczyk — University of Queensland (Brisbane State High School socks)

21. Moses Sorovi — Wests (St. Peters Lutheran College socks)

22. Duncan Paia’aua — Norths (Emmaus College Rockhampton socks)

23. Izaia Perese — Easts (Anglican Church Grammar School socks)

*potential Queensland/Super Rugby debut

**run-on debut

***run-on debut for Queensland