Chambers to start for QAS Reds 2nd XV against Barbarians
New recruit Will Chambers is one of five QR Reds selected in Saturday’s QAS Reds 2nd XV and Australian Barbarians clash at Ballymore (kickoff 7:30pm).
The night will be a casual, no frills "footy only" evening, with free entry and parking at Ballymore.
The former NRL Melbourne Storm Premiership winning centre has again been selected in the number 13 jersey, the same role he played during the Reds 20-12 trial win over the Crusaders last week.
With Wallaby sensation Digby Ioane named at outside centre for the Reds in their third and final trial against the Western Force on Friday night, head coach Ewen McKenzie thought it would be best for Chambers to get a full 80 minutes under his belt.
Chambers has played just 60 minutes of professional rugby since joining the Reds in the offseason after a lower back injury ruled the 100kg centre out of their first trial against the Waratahs.
“Rather than change Will Chambers to another position and make the whole transition more confusing, we’ve chosen to leave him at 13 and play him in the A game so he gets 80 minutes of rugby. That is the best thing for him at this time,” McKenzie said.
Chambers will be joined by team-mates Brando Va’aulu, Lei Tomiki, Dayna Edwards and Saia Faingaa, while the squad also includes seven QAS Reds Academy players.
They are Aidan Toua, Ben Tapuai, Jake Schatz, Andrew Shaw, Albert Anae, Liam Gill and Jono Lance.
The team will be coached by Academy Co-ordinator Paul Carozza, with 2009 Hospital Cup winning coach Zane Hilton as his assistant.
The Barbarians have named a strong 23-man squad for the contest with former Wallaby lock and current Gold Coast Breakers co-coach Garrick Morgan guiding the side alongside Sunshine Coast’s Brett Johnstone.
Premier Rugby champions Brothers are well represented with five players included, while Souths and the Breakers each supplied four.
In the coming month the Reds 2nd XV will play a Premier XV at Suncorp on Saturday, February 13 (kickoff 4:25pm), Argentina’s Club Atletico San Isidro at Ballymore on Wednesday, February 24 (7:15pm) and compete in a home and away series against interstate rivals NSW Waratahs A.
Queensland will host the first match against NSW on Sunday, February 28 at Ballymore No.2 (3:00pm), with their second contest on Sunday, March 7 (3:00pm) at Concord Oval in Sydney.
QAS Reds 2nd XV team to play the Australian Barbarians at Ballymore on Saturday night (from fullback): Aidan Toua (Easts), Brando Va'aulu (University), Will Chambers (TBC), Ben Tapuai (Sunnybank), Paul Doneley (Brothers), Tim Walsh (TBC), Brent Hamlin (Souths), Jake Schatz (Sunnybank), Lei Tomiki (TBC), Andrew Shaw (Brothers), Liam Shaw (Brothers), Adam Preocanin (Easts), Dayna Edwards (Sunnybank), Saia Faingaa (Souths), Albert Anae (Sunnybank). Reserves: Heath Tessman (University), David Feao (Souths), Pat Ritchie (Eats), Cameron Bracewell (Gold Coast), Liam Gill (Sunnybank), Sam Grasso (Brothers), Jono Lance (University), Dallan Murphy (Brothers).
Australian Barbarians (from fullback) Thomas Cox (Sunshine Coast), Rex Tapuai (Sunnybank), James Harvey (Brothers), Nathanuel Gendle (Brothers), Nicky Price (Brothers), Michael Zovko (Souths), Sam Batty (Country), Paula Kaho (Souths), Chris Johnson (Souths), Martin Collins (Gold Coast), Tom Murday (Sunnybank), Rubin Fuimaono (Gold Coast), Adrian Dixon (Brothers), Andrew Coady (Brothers), Cole Mooney (Gold Coast). Reserves: Ryan Schultz, (Norths), Sam Cummins (Easts), Brett Nayler (GPS), Geoff Ingram (GPS), Mitch Francis (Gold Coast), Ian Prior (University), Fred Tuua (Souths), Ian Aokuso (Wests)
