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Durban - Ben Lucas at flyhalf is the most notable change in a new-look Reds backline to face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday. Kick-off is at 17:05.
The Reds have made six personnel changes, including giving Lucas his first start of the season at pivot. Mike Harris moves to inside centre to accommodate Lucas while Jono Lance drops out of the squad. Rod Davies is named at fullback, with Luke Morahan relegated to the bench.
In the forwards, loosehead prop Greg Holmes and lock Van Humphries start their first games of the year. In light of their elevation, Ben Daley and Rob Simmons are named among the reserves. Beau Robinson and Radike Samo are preferred to youngsters Liam Gill and Jake Schatz at flank and No 8 respectively.
"Ben Lucas has been training at flyhalf since the beginning of pre-season last year and has featured there in all three of our games so far," coach Ewen McKenzie said. "We have been pleased with the change of tempo and skills he has shown in those opportunities and feel he can offer something different against the Sharks.
"Van and Greg are also experienced campaigners that have impressed us in the chances they’ve been given. We feel Beau and Radike are best suited to executing what we want to accomplish from the start of the game."
Teams:
Sharks:
TBA
Reds:
15 Rod Davies, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Ben Lucas, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 James Horwill (captain), 3 James Slipper, 2 James Hanson, 1 Greg Holmes
Substitutes: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Luke Morahan
The Reds have made six personnel changes, including giving Lucas his first start of the season at pivot. Mike Harris moves to inside centre to accommodate Lucas while Jono Lance drops out of the squad. Rod Davies is named at fullback, with Luke Morahan relegated to the bench.
In the forwards, loosehead prop Greg Holmes and lock Van Humphries start their first games of the year. In light of their elevation, Ben Daley and Rob Simmons are named among the reserves. Beau Robinson and Radike Samo are preferred to youngsters Liam Gill and Jake Schatz at flank and No 8 respectively.
"Ben Lucas has been training at flyhalf since the beginning of pre-season last year and has featured there in all three of our games so far," coach Ewen McKenzie said. "We have been pleased with the change of tempo and skills he has shown in those opportunities and feel he can offer something different against the Sharks.
"Van and Greg are also experienced campaigners that have impressed us in the chances they’ve been given. We feel Beau and Radike are best suited to executing what we want to accomplish from the start of the game."
Teams:
Sharks:
TBA
Reds:
15 Rod Davies, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Ben Lucas, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 James Horwill (captain), 3 James Slipper, 2 James Hanson, 1 Greg Holmes
Substitutes: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Luke Morahan
