Rest easy, Reds fans, Quade Cooper is back in the starting XV for the must-win clash with the Kings.
Cooper has served his three-week suspension and is one of six changes made to the starting XV as Nick Stiles searches for answers in the wake of his team’s second half capitulation against the Brumbies.
In other backline moves, Karmichael Hunt is back after missing the Brumbies loss with concussion and Izaia Perese comes back in ahead of Chris Kuridrani.
It’s the forward pack where Stiles has challenged his young guns to lead the Reds back from the abyss.With the Ballymore brains trust managing Stephen Moore’s workload, Alex Mafi will make his first start at hooker.
He’ll be joined by Lukhan Tui, who has been preferred to Kane Douglas in the second row.
Hendrik Tui has also been given the nod at blindside flanker ahead of Adam Korczyk.
Samu Kerevi will captain Queensland for the first time in Moore’s absence.
On the bench, Andrew Ready and Nick Frisby are back after returning to club footy last week, while Hamish Stewart has been preferred to Jake McIntyre as cover for Cooper.
The Reds take on the Kings on Saturday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 3:05pm, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and RUGBY.com.au.
TEAM
Reds team to take on the Kings
1. Sef Fa’agase
2. Alex Mafi
3. Sam Talakai
4. Rob Simmons
5. Lukhan Tui
6. Hendrik Tui
7. George Smith (150th Super Rugby cap)
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. James Tuttle
10. Quade Cooper
Click Here: NRL league Jerseys
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Duncan Paia’aua
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Izaia Perese
15. Karmichael Hunt
Reserves
16. Andrew Ready
17. Kirwan Sanday
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Kane Douglas
20. Adam Korczyk
21. Nick Frisby
22. Hamish Stewart
23. Chris Kuridrani