Former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has been promoted to the Queensland Reds' starting side for Saturday night's big clash against the ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.
Toomaga-Allen's inclusion and the return of Wallaby Jordan Petaia on the wing are the two changes to the run-on side for the Round Six clash between Australia's two highest-placed teams in Super Rugby Pacific.
Versatile playmaker Lawson Creighton, at home at flyhalf or inside centre, has been included on the bench for the first time in 2024 after his match-winning performance for Brothers against Randwick in the recent Australian Club Championship.
For Toomaga-Allen, 33, this is another milestone in a 13-year career spanning more than 200 top-level games in New Zealand, Europe and now Australia.
His three strong efforts as a finisher for the Reds this season have quickly shown his value. He made his Reds debut as a starter against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at Ballymore Stadium last November but this will be his first run-on role for the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific.
"Our scrum has been a great platform for us. Jeffery's experience will be valuable in this area. Zane (Nonggorr) has done a fantastic job starting and the finisher role is an important one," Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
Kiss said squad management also applies to Wallaby Petaia returning on the wing in place of Suliasi Vunivalu, who will be utilised off the bench on Saturday night.
"Suli has played a lot of minutes this season. This is another rotation. We want to maintain our No.13 and No.15 in position and we know Jordie has regularly shown his quality on the wing," Kiss said.
"Lawson has been very impressive in training and in the games he has played for our Development XV and Brothers.
"We are very happy with the progress of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips coming into Super Rugby as a 19-year-old. He will no doubt feature again."
The Reds are aiming to bounce back after the 40-31 loss to the Western Force in Perth last weekend. They will face a Brumbies side riding high in third spot after a last-start 60-21 win over Moana Pasifika.
"We're excited to play against the best Australian team over the past few seasons. They've earned that. We're keen to test ourselves in this one," Kiss said.
"It's a big day for the Reds women's team as well. We'll be supporting them to open the double-header against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium."
A $60 Family Ticket (two adults-two kids) is available for the double-header, the first at Suncorp Stadium this season.
Saturday 30 March
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
6:35pm AEST
Watch live via 9GEM and Stan Sport
1. Peni Ravai – Easts – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji
2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
4. Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji
5. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
6. Liam Wright (cc) – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School - Easts
7. Fraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (cc) University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Flinders Rugby Club
10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland- Epsom College, England – Richmond Rugby Club
11. Mac Grealy – University of Queensland – Downlands College – Souths Toowoomba
12: Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
13. Josh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College - Brothers
14. Jordan Petaia - Wests - Brisbane State High School
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace-Easts
17. George Blake - Bond University - The Southport School - Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
18. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Cormac Daly - Norths – Ul Riada, Ireland – North Kildare/Kilcock GAA, Ireland
20. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. Lawson Creighton - Brothers - Padua College -
23. Suliasi Vunivalu – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland
