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REDS v WARATAHS: Friday 7.45pm AEDT, Suncorp Stadium<\/strong><\/p>\n Reds coach Brad Thorn has opted to ease Taniela Tupou into 2021 action by naming the Test prop on the bench for the season opener in Brisbane.<\/p>\n Feao Fotuaika will instead start at tighthead prop while Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa also misses out on Thorn's 23.<\/p>\n Wallabies outside centre Jordan Petaia will start on the wing while the uncapped Ilaisa Droasese gets an opportunity on the bench following the dumping of star NRL recuit Suliasi Vunivalu.<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/em> Michael Cheika and David Campese sign on for Stan Sport's star-studded rugby commentary team<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/em> Wallabies legend Tim Horan calls for Jordan Petaia to play at fullback for the Reds and Australia<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong><\/em> Andrew Mehrtens and Dave Rennie run the rule over Australia's playmaking options<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Hooker Richie Asiata and lock Ryan Smith are also in line to make their Super Rugby debuts as substitutes.<\/p>\n "How good is it to have rugby back," Thorn said. \u00a0<\/p>\n "It's the first time in four years we've had a home game to kick off the season, so we're looking forward to playing some entertaining footy in front of our Queensland fans.<\/p>\n "Three guys could make their debuts which is a great thing to recognise. They've worked hard in the pre-season and deserve their selection. The Waratahs will provide a tough contest. There's plenty of tradition and rivalry between the two teams as well, so we're looking forward to a good hit out on Friday night."<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Waratahs coach Rob Penney has unveiled a predictably youthful lineup that will start huge underdogs at Suncorp Stadium.<\/p>\n Former Reds and Broncos back Izaia Perese will make his NSW debut at outside centre while Kiwi imports Jack Whetton and Sam Caird both start in the second row.<\/p>\n REDS (15-1):<\/strong> Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu, James O'Connor (c), Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Angus Scott-Young, Seru Uru, Angus Blyth, Feao Fotuaika, Alex Mafi, Dane Zander<\/p>\n Reserves:<\/strong> Richie Asiata, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Tuaina Tualima, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Ilaisa Droasese\u00a0<\/p>\n WARATAHS (15-1):<\/strong> Jack Maddocks, Alex Newsome, Izaia Perese, Joey Walton, James Ramm, Will Harrison, Jake Gordon (c), Jack Dempsey, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Jack Whetton, Sam Caird, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Tom Horton, Angus Bell<\/p>\n Reserves:<\/strong> Dave Porecki, Te Tetera Faulkner, Sio Tatola, Jeremy Williams, Hugh Sinclair, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawase<\/p>\n FORCE v BRUMBIES: Friday 10pm AEDT, HBF Park<\/strong><\/p>\n Force coach Tim Sampson has wasted no time in unleashing his cast of international stars on Super Rugby, with Rob Kearney, Tomas Lezana and Santiago Medrano all named in the starting lineup to host the defending champion Brumbies.<\/p>\n Ireland great Kearney is at fullback while Argentina Test brutes Lezana and Medrana add real starch to the forward pack.<\/p>\n Ex-Brumbies stalwart Tevita Kuridrani will also take his Force bow at outside centre while there are plenty of big names on the bench in Greg Holmes, Tomas Cubelli and Richard Kahui.<\/p>\n It will be fascinating to watch how quickly the new faces slot in with the Force a real dark horse if they can click.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has given Wallabies squad member Len Ikitau first crack at filling Kuridrani's considerable boots at outside centre.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old will start for just the third time at Super Rugby level while Mack Hansen\u00a0makes his run-on debut on the wing.<\/p>\n "We're super excited to be back at the starting line\u00a0of what's going to be a great Super Rugby season," McKellar said.<\/p>\n "To head away\u00a0is\u00a0an experience\u00a0we haven't had a lot of over the past twelve months and I know as a group we love\u00a0being\u00a0on the road, enjoying each other's company and getting a positive result.<\/p>\n "We saw in our trial, that the Western Force are a quality outfit and there's no doubt they'll be up for what's going to be a great occasion at HBF Park on Friday night in front of a big crowd."<\/p>\n FORCE (15-1):<\/strong> Rob Kearney, Byron Ralston, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Marcel Brache, Jono Lance, Ian Prior (c), Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Tomas Lezana, Fergus Lee Warner, Jeremy Thrush, Santiago Medrano, Feleti Kaitu'u, Tom Robertson<\/p>\n Reserves:<\/strong> Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Tomas Cubelli, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui<\/p>\n BRUMBIES (15-1):<\/strong> Tom Banks, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Mack Hansen, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Caderyn Neville, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper<\/p>\n Reserves:<\/strong> Connal McInerney, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Tom Cusack, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"'Embarrassed'](\"https:\/\/vms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/2021\/02\/343106\/pickerImage.jpg\")
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