Jock Campbell to Start as Reds Face Blues in Anzac Day Showdown
The Queensland Reds will welcome back fullback Jock Campbell for his first start of the Super Rugby season in a crucial Anzac Day clash against the Blues at Lang Park on Friday night.
Campbell, returning from a fractured arm, has made two appearances off the bench but will now bring his trademark calm and experience to the starting lineup. His inclusion comes as the injury-hit Reds aim to bounce back from consecutive defeats that saw them slip from first to fourth on the ladder before last week’s bye.
Reds coach Les Kiss praised the timing of the rest week and said Campbell’s composure would be vital against a dangerous Blues outfit.
“It’s a [Blues] team really coming back into form,” Kiss said.
“They’ve had to navigate through some choppy waters … we’re going to need to be good.”
Massimo De Lutiis will also return to bolster the bench and add late muscle in the scrum. Meanwhile, Heremaia Murray shifts to the bench to make room for Campbell in the back three.
The Reds are still without key players Filipo Daugunu, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson, and Liam Wright, and will need a strong performance to halt the momentum of a Blues side out for redemption after a last-gasp loss to the Crusaders last week.
All Blacks Firepower Looms
The eighth-placed Blues, defending champions, arrive in Brisbane with no shortage of firepower. While Dalton Papali’i (ankle) and Caleb Clarke (thigh) are sidelined, the returning Beauden Barrett is set to make an impact off the bench after illness.
Key threats include halfback Finlay Christie, midfield wreckers Rieko Ioane and Mark Tele’a, and explosive fullback Zarn Sullivan.
The Reds will no doubt remember last year’s thriller when the Blues ran riot in a 41-34 win.
Force and Brumbies Update
Elsewhere, the Western Force have handed Henry Robertson a starting debut at halfback for their Friday match against the Chiefs, with Nic White sidelined under concussion protocols. Ryan Coxon and Will Harris replace injured forwards Marley Pearce and Vaiolini Ekuasi (both shoulder).
Brandon Paenga-Amosa remains out with an ankle issue.
In Canberra, the Brumbies have made a few tweaks ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the Hurricanes, reinstating James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Luke Reimer (managed), and Len Ikitau (HIA) after last week’s 24-0 shutout win over Moana Pasifika — the first scoreless result of this Super Rugby season.
