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The St.George Reds have named an unchanged lineup for Saturday’s historic and soldout Super Rugby Final against the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium.
Head Coach Ewen McKenzie has stuck with the same lineup that beat the Blues 30-13 in their Semi-Final at the weekend to qualify for their first Final in the professional rugby era.
It’s the first time in 2011 the Reds have fielded the same lineup on consecutive weeks while only once this year has McKenzie named the same starting XV - in round 13 against the Blues, and then following a bye, the Crusaders in round 15.
“At this stage you benefit greatly from continuity and the team we selected against the Blues did a wonderful job and deserve another opportunity tonight,” McKenzie said.
“We’ve benefited from a whole squad effort in 2011 but feel we have the right mix of experience and talent to be successful on Saturday night.”
In their first encounter of the season the Reds overcame the Crusaders in a hard fought 17-16 contest and McKenzie is expecting another tight affair on Saturday.
“Playing in a Final is something you treasure and never take for granted, and I know the team is excited by the opportunity in front of them,” he said.
“We’ve accomplished a lot both on and off the field in the past 18 months and a Super Rugby Final victory would be an incredible way to cap off this season for Queensland Rugby and our fans.
“The support we’ve received all year has been incredible and it’s especially humbling to see so many fans get behind us, send us messages of congratulations and flock through the gates, after many have been impacted by the Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi.”
The St.George Reds will hold a Fan Day on Sunday at Ballymore from 2:00-4:00pm.
St.George Reds team to play Crusaders
1. Ben Daley
2. Saia Faingaa
3. Greg Holmes
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. Beau Robinson
8. Radike Samo
9. Will Genia (vc)
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Anthony Faingaa
14. Rod Davies
15. Jono Lance
16. James Hanson
17. Guy Shepherdson
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison
19. Jake Schatz
20. Liam Gill
21. Ian Prior
22. Will Chambers
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Originally Posted by Coach
