redsrugby.com
Connors, Barnes ruled out of Chiefs clash
Barnes won't play this weekend Tuesday, 28 February 2006
Rookie flyhalf Berrick Barnes and veteran lock Mark Connors have been ruled out of the QR Queensland Reds squad for Friday night's match against the Chiefs in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Both players suffered bruised ribs in the Blues match last weekend but are hopeful of being fit for the home game against the Force next week.
The injuries have forced coach Jeff Miller to make changes to the team, with Ole Avei coming in to cover for Connors and Steve Kefu in for Berrick Barnes.
Avei will start on the bench with Tom McVerry moving into the No. 6 jersey. James Horwill also starts on the bench giving Cameron Treloar his first run-on start in Super 14.
Kefu will start on the bench with Lloyd Johansson moving into starting line-up at inside centre and Elton Flatley starting at flyhalf.
Prop Anthony Mathison has been brought into the 22 for Tom Court, who was always going to miss the Chiefs match in order to play a full match for Qld A against NSW A this Friday night.
Greg Holmes has been cleared to play.
Outside centre Julian Huxley doesn't think the backline change will hamper the team's efforts.
"We have a 100+ capper in Elton Flatley to step into the flyhalf position, a current Wallaby in Lloyd Johansson to slot into the centres and Steve Kefu with 50 caps coming onto the bench. I can't see it being a problem."
The team flies out to Hamilton tomorrow.
The team is:
1 Greg Holmes
2 Stephen Moore
3 Rodney Blake
4 Cameron Treloar
5 Hugh McMeniman
6 Tom McVerry
7 David Croft (vc)
8 Mitchell Chapman
9 Sam Cordingley
10 Elton Flatley
11 Drew Mitchell
12 Lloyd Johansson
13 Julian Huxley
14 Henari Veratau
15 Chris Latham ©
16 Sean Hardman
17 Anthony Mathison
18 James Horwill
19 Ole Avei
20 Josh Valentine
21 Steve Kefu
22 Caleb Brown
A couple of big losses for the Reds there............whats that now 4 or 5 starters injured? Brumbies are the only Aussie team that haven't been hit big by injuries yet.
They would have a quality team if they had Tune,Roe,Conners,Barnes etc...all fit
I cant really see them winning without Barnes, the kid is a freak..... future superstar no doubt, they looked too flat when he came off last week....big loss..
.... but at least we get to Johansson in the starting line-up and Flately is not a bad replacement at 10
Anyone know when Tune is due back from injury?? ...surely cant be long now.