Reds change two for Highlanders

Prop James Slipper slots in and resumes the captaincy and Chris Feauai-Sautia returns to the wing after missing the last match due to illness.

This is Slipper's first start in 2016, after missing four rounds of competition due to knee and shoulder surgery following the 2015 Rugby World Cup. His first match of the season was as a replacement against the Waratahs in Round Five. 

Reds co-interim head coach Matt O’Connor said: “It’s good to be able to welcome James (Slipper) back to the starting side. He’s worked hard to get himself back on the field and was very pleased to get some minutes against the Waratahs. You want your most experienced players on the field and James will offer plenty of leadership on Saturday.

“The team returned from the bye with a lot of enthusiasm for the challenge that awaits us on Saturday. The Highlanders are a dangerous team and we know we cannot afford to give them opportunities. We have grown in our performances each week and know it will take nothing short of our best to knock off the defending champions. We look forward to the challenge.”

Reds: 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 James Slipper (captain)

Replacements: 23 Ayumu Goromaru, 22 Sam Greene, 21 Scott Gale, 20 Curtis Browning, 19 Ben Matwijow, 18 Sam Talakai, 17 Sef Fa'agase, 16 Saia Fainga'a

Date: Saturday, April 9

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 19.45 local time (21.45 NZST, 09.45 GMT)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Jordan Way (Australia)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)