Lions Aphiwe Dyantyi stands during the SUPERXV Rugby match between Lions and Jaguares at Ellis Park Rugby Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER
Super Rugby: Reds vs Lions – Team news, kick off and live stream
The Lions are two weeks into their tour of Australia. After beating the Waratahs, they are set to continue their winning streak against the Reds this Saturday.
Lions Aphiwe Dyantyi stands during the SUPERXV Rugby match between Lions and Jaguares at Ellis Park Rugby Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER
The Lions are in Brisbane, Australia for their match against the Reds this coming Saturday and are looking to continue their winning streak.
The Lions
Two weeks into their tour Down Under, we show you what the Emirates Lions have been up to while in Sydney!#LetsUnite #TheLionsWay #LionsOnTour pic.twitter.com/daL94YKxsd
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) April 26, 2018
The Lions are still sitting comfortably on top of the South African conference log while the Reds are in fourth place on the Australian log ahead of the Sunwolves who are in last place.
Reds team and injury news
According to their website, the Reds made four personnel changes to their XV for the match, with veteran flanker George Smith, exciting young winger Jordan Petaia, prop JP Smith and flyhalf Hamish Stewart getting the starting nod for the first time this season.
Regular starters James Slipper and Jono lance have been ruled out of the match due to injury.
Reds centre Samu Kerevi has been named captain, with regular leader Scott Higginbotham and stand-in skipper Slipper injured.
George Smith, who made his return from a back injury via the bench last weekend, has been promoted to the starting lineup ahead of youngster Liam Wright, who has dropped out of the match-day 23.
Petaia, who recently became the Reds’ youngest-ever Super Rugby debutant, has earned his first Super Rugby start on the wing, ahead of Izaia Perese, who has shifted to the bench.
JP Smith has been brought into the starting side to replace Slipper, who has been ruled out due to a collar bone injury sustained against the Waratahs two weeks ago.
Stewart has been promoted in place of Lance, who is still recovering from a concussion suffered in last weekend’s match. The match will be Stewart’s first start in Super Rugby.
The Reds have also made a number of changes to the bench, with Dalby’s Harry Hoopert named for a potential Super Rugby debut.
Flanker Adam Korczyk has also been brought back into the reserves, taking the place made available by George Smith’s promotion.
Centre Duncan Paia’aua also returns to the match-day 23 for the first time since Round 6.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us this weekend. The Lions, being last year’s finalists, are an impressive team. It’s no secret we were disappointed with how we started the match last weekend and the guys are determined to get back out there and put in an 80-minute performance.”
The Reds lost against the Chiefs 12 – 36 last weekend.
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi (c), 11 Jordan Petaia, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 George Smith, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith
Substitutes: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Duncan Paia’aua , 23 Izaia Perese
Lions team and injury news
Lions Head coach Swys de Bruin only made one change to his starting XV against the Reds.
Centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been recalled in the place of Lionel Mapoe who has a slight groin concern and is being rested.
On the bench there have been a few changes with prop Johannes Jonker, flank Cyle Brink and flyhalf Ashlon Davids coming in to hopefully make an impact during the match.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Franco Mostert (c), 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Marnus Schoeman, 22 Nic Groom, 23 Ashlon Davids
Kick-off time
Saturday, 28 April, 07:05 (SAST).
TV & Live stream
Super Sport 1 (subscription required) at 07:00 (SAST).
Super Rugby Form (most recent result first)
Reds: LLLLWWW
Lions: WWLLWLW
History
The Reds won one match at home and three away and the Lions won two matches at home and three away against the Reds.
