Josh Nasser Set for 50th Cap as Reds Vs Brumbies Named
The Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies named their lineups for reds vs brumbies in Brisbane, and Josh Nasser was set for his 50th cap. Lachlan Lonergan also returned to the Brumbies starting side for his first start of the year.
Reds Keep Same 23
The Reds named the same 23 that went down in Super Point to the Blues. That kept Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr in the front row, with Seru Uru and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the pack and Fraser McReight leading a group that also included Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
Josh Nasser’s milestone sat inside that unchanged group. The hooker was set for his 50th cap as the Reds tried to turn a tough Super Round loss into a response that would keep them in touch with the top four.
Lonergan Returns for Brumbies
The Brumbies answered with a front-row change of their own, naming Wallabies hooker Lachlan Lonergan for his first start of the year and putting Liam Bowron on the bench. Ryan Lonergan captained the side from halfback, while the starting XV also included James Slipper, Rhys van Nek, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Toby Macpherson, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Kadin Pritchard, Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright.
Kadin Pritchard started at centre, while Treyvon Pritchard was listed among the Reds replacements, setting up the Pritchard brothers to go head-to-head. The Brumbies had the same pressure point as the Reds after a tough Super Round loss, with both sides needing victory to stay in touch with the top four.
Brisbane Kickoff at 7:35 pm
Coverage was slated to start at 7:00 pm, with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm. The match was shown live on Stan Sport and the Nine Network, and also on 9Gem, giving supporters a clear window on a fixture that carried more weight than a normal early-season league game.
For the Reds, the unchanged 23 meant a quick chance to settle accounts after the Blues defeat. For the Brumbies, Lonergan’s first start of the year and the Pritchard matchup gave the Brisbane meeting a sharper edge, with both teams trying to avoid falling further behind the top four pack.
