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Crusaders
43
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
19
| J. O'Connor |  | 80 | ||
| L. Aumua |  | 79 | ||
| 54 | | L. Anderson | ||
| T. Kemara | | 42 | ||
| C. Lio-Willie | | 41 | ||
| 39 | | H. McLaughlin-Phillips | ||
| 38 | | H. Wilson | ||
| T. Kemara | | 36 | ||
| W. Jordan | | 35 | ||
| W. Jordan | | 32 | ||
| S. Reece | | 25 | ||
| 24 | | H. McLaughlin-Phillips | ||
| 23 | | F. Daugunu | ||
| S. Reece | | 18 | ||
| T. Kemara | | 7 | ||
| C. Grace | | 6 |
| 7 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
Teenage sensation Frankie Goldsbrough will make his much-anticipated Super Rugby debut on Sunday (1.35pm AEDT) after being named on the bench to face the Crusaders in Christchurch. The Reds will be up against a familiar face – with James O’Connor on the bench for the Kiwis. Join The Roar for live updates and scores.
The 19-year-old was previously in Brisbane’s NRL pathways but decided to go all-in on chasing a rugby career with the Reds a few years back.
“It felt right to come back to union; I really loved the season last year, have been playing since I was six and only moved to league for a couple of years there,” the outside back previously told AAP.
“That was my gut feeling from the start and everything lined up and it was the way to go.”
Frankie Goldsbrough of Australia (C) during the match between Australia U18s and New Zealand Schools at FMG Stadium Waikato last year. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
A series of injuries to several front-line Reds, including Josh Flook and Jock Campbell, has seen Les Kiss back the teenager to come off the bench against the Crusaders.
Flook’s hamstring injury, as well as a heavy hit on Tom Lynagh, has seen Kiss make several changes to his backline with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips named to start alongside Tate McDermott in the halves.
Dre Pakeho has a new midfield teammate after his impressive debut last week, with Filipo Daugunu coming off the wing to fill the void left by Flook.
Tim Ryan has been promoted from the bench to start on the wing.
Up front there are several changes, with Wallaby Alex Hodgman named to start at loose-head prop in what will be his first minutes in 2025.
He will pack down alongside Matt Faessler, while Massimo de Lutiis comes in to start at tight-head prop.
In the second row Josh Canham will start alongside Ryan Smith, while Liam Wright, who was Joe Schmidt’s first-choice captain last year before injury curtailed his year, comes in for the injured Seru Uru.
There’s a healthy blend of experience to complement Goldsbrough’s arrival in Super Rugby, with Jeffery Toomaga-Allen returning at tight-head prop.
The Reds arrived in Christchurch earlier this week and are preparing to face their old teammate O’Connor, who turned down an offer to stay at Ballymore to sign with the Crusaders.
“We have a lot of respect for James. He’s a quality player and man,” Kiss said.
“Not everything runs in a straight line with rugby. James gave an enormous amount to Australian rugby and he’s exploring another avenue. He has ambitions to coach down the track as well and seeing a different environment will add to that.”
After snapping their 25-year drought against the Crusaders in New Zealand last year, the Reds are expecting the perennial Super Rugby champions to return fire-with-fire.
“That in itself shows how hard it is to win in Christchurch but it’s a challenge we always embrace,” Kiss said.
The Crusaders pack an imposing front row trio of All Blacks Codie Taylor, Tamati Williams and Fletcher Newell.
Codie Taylor returns to the starting lineup for the Crusaders this weekend, linking up with fellow All Blacks Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell in the front row.
The only other change from last week’s starting XV comes in the midfield, with Dallas McLeod starting at centre and Levi Aumua named on the bench.
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, James O’Connor, Levi Aumua
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright (co), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (cc), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray.
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Frankie Goldsbrough
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Markey, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Glenn Newman
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.