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Chambers dumped from Reds squad
March 16, 2011 - 11:09AM
Former NRL premiership three-quarter Will Chambers has been dumped from the Queensland Reds squad for Friday night's Super Rugby clash against the Melbourne Rebels.
Chambers, who played in the Melbourne Storm's 2009 grand final triumph, was on Wednesday replaced by youngster Ben Tapuai who has been preferred for a head-to-head outside centre battle with former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock at Suncorp Stadium.
It was one of two changes to the Queensland starting XV which beat the Brumbies 31-25 in round three, with lock Adam Wallace-Harrison taking the place of Van Humphries who has been sidelined for four weeks with a broken thumb.
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie reasoned Tapuai's "irresistable" pre-season efforts and displays at inside centre for the Queensland Academy side, rather than Chambers' disappointing form, had forced the change.
"He (Tapuai) has done everything we've asked of him and more and we are confident he can get the job done on Friday," McKenzie said.
Following an eye-catching debut Super 14 season for the Reds, Chambers underwent a shoulder reconstruction midway through last year and McKenzie cited that as possible cause for lacking confidence in his return to action.
Making matters worse for the 22-year-old, he was overlooked for a place on a forwards-heavy bench, losing out to the extra versatility of speedster Luke Morahan.
Former Brumbies forward Radike Samo, one of five replacement forwards named, will make first Super appearance this season after recovering from a broken finger after captain James Horwill was expectedly given an extra week to overcome his ankle injury.
Queensland: Ben Lucas, Rod Davies, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Faingaa, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (capt); Leroy Houston, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley.
Reserves: James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Radike Samo, Ed Quirk, Liam Gill, Mike Harris, Luke Morahan.
AAP
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