Queensland coach Les Kiss has backed lock Ryan Smith to excel in his SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific captaincy debut after being handed the armband for Saturday night’s clash against the Western Force in Brisbane.
Smith, 28, will lead the Reds out in the absence of Wallabies trio Harry Wilson (rested), Fraser McReight (rested) and co-captain Liam Wright (injured) with Tate McDermott returning to play via the pine.
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“’Smithy’ did an excellent job in his week of captaincy in Japan and he is highly respected within our squad,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
“Tate will come off the bench this week with Kalani (Thomas) starting at halfback after a strong performance against the Highlanders last weekend.”
Smith captained Queensland against Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan last November and will pack down against rival lock and Force skipper Jeremy Williams.
Meanwhile Alex Hodgman and Massimo de Lutiis will start as props against the Force after star roles off the pine against the Highlanders.
“We are very happy with how our scrum is going. Both Alex and ‘Mass’ had a great impact off the bench against the Highlanders and get their chance to start against the Force,” Kiss added.
The Force welcome back star winger Dylan Pietsch and workhorse flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny for Saturday's Suncorp Stadium showdown.
Pietsch, 26, missed the past fortnight with a knee injury but returns in place of George Poolman with Marley Pearce's promotion to starting loosehead the only other change from last week's matchday 23.
Former Reds Hamish Stewart and Mac Grealy add spice to the encounter with the Force hoping to end a Brisbane losing streak dating back to 2016.
REDS (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Richie Asiata, Massimo De Lutiis, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith (c), Seru Uru, John Bryant, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Relacements: Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Reed Prinsep, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Brett Cronan
