Key omissions as Aussie sides spar for Super leg-up
Tom Lynagh will join rival flyhalf Noah Lolesio on the sidelines for the Queensland Reds' clash with the ACT Brumbies that will shape this year's Super Rugby Pacific finals series.
The standout Australian teams sit fourth and second respectively ahead of Saturday's Canberra battle, with a home game in the first week of the rejigged six-team finals format the prize for a top-three finish.
With three regular-season games remaining, the Reds are five points - equivalent to a bonus-point win - behind the third-placed Crusaders, while the Brumbies are a further two points clear but have played an extra game.
The Reds' pulsating defeat of the NSW Waratahs in Sydney last Friday kept them in the hunt, but came at a cost.
Wallabies No.10 prospect Lynagh (concussion), fellow Test contender Seru Uru (knee) and second-row weapon Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (shoulder) are all unavailable.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will replace Lynagh after a solid second-half foray in Sydney last week and several other cameos this year.
Hunter Paisami is also back from a corked hip to team with Filipo Daugunu in the midfield and send impressive rookie Dre Pakeho to the bench.
Lolesio has been cleared of serious injury after his scary exit last weekend and is viewed as a short-term loss by coach Stephen Larkham, who will turn to Queensland product Declan Meredith in the No.10.
"It's going to be the two best teams in Australia currently going at it on Saturday," Larkham said.
"All the remaining games for every team are important. "The Reds ... like us, would like to finish as high as possible on the ladder. It gives you the best opportunity to go deep into the finals."
The Western Force won't take Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart or Nic White to Lautoka to face Fijian Drua as coach Simon Cron attempts to navigate a gruelling travel schedule.
New Zealand playmaker Alex Harford, an injury replacement player, will wear the No.10, with Ben Donaldson set to come off the bench along with fit-again hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa.
The Force are ninth but sit just four points behind the sixth-placed Hurricanes.
The Waratahs will be without cross-code sensation Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for at least four weeks because of a fractured jaw suffered in friendly fire in the last round.
Andrew Kellaway shifts to fullback and Derby Lancaster will return to the starting side on the left wing.
The Waratahs, eighth and level with the Force on 22 points, can keep their finals hopes alive and directly boost the Reds' top-three hopes with a win against the Crusaders in Sydney.
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