Digby Ioane to mark Lote Tuqiri in blockbuster SFS clash
March 04, 2009
Queensland Reds dynamo Digby Ioane will shift back to the wing and mark Australia flyer Lote Tuqiri in Friday night's Super 14 grudge match at Sydney Football Stadium.
Reds coach Phil Mooney has made two changes to his side to play New South Wales Waratahs, with Charlie Fetoai returning from a shoulder injury and prop Dayna Edwards replacing Laurie Weeks at tight-head.
Mooney opted to recall the hard-tackling Fetoai at outside centre and move the destructive Ioane back to the right wing position left vacant by the injured Brando Va'aulu (groin).
Fetoai, who started in the season-opener against the Bulls, starred with a two-try performance for the Queensland Academy in his comeback from injury against the NSW Seconds on Sunday.
“Charlie's never been out of form and, with the opening provided by Brando's unfortunate injury, he's back in the side,†Mooney said.
His return to the midfield sets up a blockbuster clash between Australian squadmates Ioane and Tuqiri, two of the form wingers of the competition.
Queensland is looking to end a four-year interstate drought against the Waratahs with their last win against NSW coming in 2004 at Suncorp Stadium.
Sydney recruit Weeks will sit on the bench after struggling to recover from the oppressively hot conditions in Sunday's 22-3 win over the Cheetahs in Brisbane.
“We've rotated Dayna and Laurie to give Laurie a break - he's played a lot of footy already in what is only his first year as a fulltime professional,†Mooney said.
Highlanders recruit Ezra Taylor has been named to make his first run-on appearance for the Queensland Academy at blind-side flanker in the curtain-raiser against the Junior Waratahs.[/b]
