Reds dump Croft

[Burgs]

Reds dump Croft

Jim Morton
Thursday, April 19, 2007

Queensland coach Eddie Jones has pulled a selection surprise by propelling attacking flanker Tom McVerry into Saturday night's Super 14 clash with the Cheetahs at Suncorp Stadium.

Jones has demoted warhorse David Croft to start linkman McVerry in one of two changes designed at spicing up the listless Reds attack for what he expects will be a high-scoring shootout.

Teenage flyhalf Quade Cooper has also been promoted after showing most of the few bright pieces of creativity in last weekend's dreary 26-13 loss to NSW.

Cooper will renew his promising backline combination with fellow youngster Berrick Barnes, 20, with the former Bronco shifting to inside centre at the expense of Andrew Brown.

"I don't think there will be any doubt there will be a lot of points scored in this game," Jones said.

"There will be plenty of ball movement and we've picked a side that we'd think is our best attacking team."

Croft celebrated his 100th cap for Queensland in the last-start loss but Jones prefers McVerry's mobility and ability to link the play in attack.

The 28-year-old, who has played the bulk of his 52 caps off the bench, has produced consistently in cameos this season and has made a knack of pulling off clutch tackles and breakdown pilfers.

"Tom has done a good job coming on for Crofty and we think starting him will better fit our plan to play an attacking game, with Crofty coming on as an impact player to keep the momentum going."

There are worrying doubts about the fitness of reserve halfback Will Genia who was in line for a start before injuring his ankle at the end of training yesterday.

Wallabies lock Hugh McMeniman has been retained despite being troubled by a lingering ankle injury which forced him off after 45 minutes against the Waratahs.

The Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs, staying on the Gold Coast since losing to the Hurricanes in Wellington, will lose coach Rassie Erasmus at the end of the competition as he will link with the Springboks.

There's a cloud over Erasmus's team selections after the Queensland Rugby Union today received two different 22s for the match program.

The clash represents Queensland's best chance of adding to their solitary victory in a bitterly-disappointing campaign.

The Reds travel to South Africa after the round 12 encounter to play the Stormers and the in-form Bulls.

Reds:

1. Tama Tuirirangi,
2. Stephen Moore,
3. David Te Moana,
4. Hugh McMeniman,
5. James Horwill,
6. Mitch Chapman,
7. Tom McVerry,
8. John Roe (c),
9. Nic Berry,
10. Quade Cooper,
11. Peter Hynes,
12. Berrick Barnes,
13. Ben Tune,
14. Andrew Walker,
15. Clinton Schifcofske,
16. Sean Hardman,
17. Herman Hunt,
18. Ed O'Donoghue,
19. David Croft,
20. Will Genia,
21. Andrew Brown,
22. Brando Va'aulu.

AAP

[Shaun]

Carn the Reds! Give Tune the send of he deserves! (a win of course)

[prop53]

does that mean croft will be leaving the reds now also

[Sagerian]

It'll be a blood bath...