Jock Campbell will start for the first time this year as the refreshed Queensland Reds brace for a Blues backlash in their Anzac Day clash.
Fullback Campbell has played twice off the bench since returning from a fractured arm, but will bring composure to Friday’s Lang Park encounter.
Prop Massimo De Lutiis is also back in the squad and will come off the bench for some late power in the scrum.
Heremaia Murray will return to the bench for Campbell as the injury-hit Reds attempt to offset the absences of Filipo Daugunu, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson and Liam Wright.
The Reds lost twice before a bye last week to drop from first to fourth position with six rounds to play.
The Blues sit eighth after a slow start to their Super Rugby title defence, but boast a host of All Blacks stars who ran riot in a thrilling 41-34 win in the corresponding fixture last year.
Reds coach Les Kiss acknowledged the importance of last week’s bye to refresh some tired bodies and minds, and that Campbell’s smarts would be crucial against the Blues.
“It’s a (Blues) team really coming back into form,” Kiss said.
“Very wary … they’re a bit up and down by their own admission. They’ve had to navigate through some choppy waters, so we’re going to need to be good.”
The Blues will be smarting after an 82nd-minute James O’Connor penalty kick secured the Crusaders a 25-22 win last weekend.
Dalton Papali’i (ankle) and Caleb Clarke (thigh) will miss the clash for the Blues, while Beauden Barrett will come off the bench as he returns from illness.
Scrum half Finlay Christie has historically been a thorn in the Reds’ side, while Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane and Zarn Sullivan will provide the midfield and backline strike.
The Western Force have promoted scrum half Henry Robertson for a starting debut in Friday’s clash with the Chiefs after Nic White (HIA) was ruled out.
Marley Pearce and Vaiolini Ekuasi (shoulders) were both casualties of last week’s 17-17 draw with the Hurricanes and will be replaced by Ryan Coxon and Will Harris.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who was withdrawn in the warm-up against the Hurricanes, is unavailable with an ankle injury.
In Canberra, James Slipper and Billy Pollard will pack down in the scrum as starters for the third-placed Brumbies against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Luke Reimer (managed) and Len Ikitau (HIA) also come back into the line-up after missing the 24-0 win over Moana Pasifika, the first shut-out of this year’s competition.
AAP
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