The Queensland Reds hope some added strike power on the flanks will offset the loss of devastating prop Taniela Tupou for the Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Highlanders.
Centre Hunter Paisami will miss with a shoulder injury while five-eighth James O’Connor (knee) remains out too, with the injury-hit Reds (7-3) keen to avoid a third-straight defeat this season and record fifth-straight loss to the Highlanders (5-5).
But in Suliasi Vunivalu and Jordan Petaia there is welcome respite on Friday at Suncorp Stadium, the pair back from niggles to torment on each wing after missing last week’s gutting 27-25 loss to the Chiefs.
“It’s something we probably missed quite a bit last week, just strike runners,” Reds captain and halfback Tate McDermott said, confirming Jock Campbell would remain at fullback.
“They’re the type of players that can create something out of nothing and that’s something we’ll need against the Kiwi teams, particularly the Highlanders, with good defence.”
Seru Uru and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will also return to the starting side after strong bench cameos in injury returns last week.
Victory against the Hurricanes could put the Reds back above the Chiefs, who host the Brumbies, into the top four.
And it would silence any doubts before a tough regular season finish that features away games to the top-ranked Blues (9-1) and Crusaders (third, 7-3).
Even without Tupou (calf) in the side there will remain an elephant in the room as the Reds chase just their third win from the last 25 games against New Zealand opposition.
“No, I don’t think there is a mental barrier, but we’ve got to prove there isn’t,” McDermott said.
“We’re just coming up against better opposition and we’re learning that if we keep 15 players on the field we will win a game.”
