Slipper slips in for Reds

The match-day 23 features three changes from last week's team, with the welcome return of experienced players James Slipper, Liam Gill and Saia Fainga'a for the interstate derby.

Gill has been named to start at openside flank, while prop Slipper and hooker Fainga'a have been named on the bench. This will be the first game of the season for Gill and Slipper, while Fainga'a started the year as the side's starting hooker but missed the last two matches due to injury.

"It's good to be able to welcome back three seasoned players who have a lot of experience in these interstate clashes.

"What's equally pleasing is the work and development we've seen in our group over the last few weeks. We were bitterly disappointed to not get the win last weekend and Sunday's match gives us another opportunity to reward our fans with a good performance at home.

"This is an important game for us and we know to expect a very physical, spirited clash when we take on New South Wales. We've been building into our season and developing our game and the players have worked incredibly hard to this point – now we want to see the results of that hard work.

"It's Queensland v New South Wales, Sunday afternoon Rugby, it doesn't get much better," Reds co-interim head coach Nick Stiles said.

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 (captain), 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 Sef Fa'agase.  

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

Date: Sunday, March 27

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 15.05 (05.05 GMT)

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant referees: Graham Cooper, Damien Mitchelmore

TMO: George Ayoub