Local rugby fans are in for a treat when they get to watch Quade Coop­er, Karmicheal Hunt and Samu Ker­evi in action for Brisbane City against the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua at Churchill Park, Lautoka on September 8.

The former Australian star five eight Cooper and Hunt have been offered a lifeline when they were named in the City squad for this year’s Australian National Rugby Championship.

City coach Mick Heenan revealed that he had met the former Wallabies at a cafe last week to gauge their feelings about the sev­en-round NRC and beyond before including them in his list of 36 names.

“Both Quade and Karmichael are really motivated and in a good frame of mind,” Heenan said before the September 2 NRC opener against the Western Force at Norths’ Courtney Oval.

“I came away feeling they can both be very productive for City, and Quade has already offered ideas on areas where the team can improve based on his NRC involvement last season.”

Cooper, 30, has been an outcast in Queens­land rugby since December when Reds coach Brad Thorn told him he was not re­quired at training any longer.

Heenan said he had no idea if their NRC selection would chisel away at the wall be­tween the pair and the Reds or create a door elsewhere.

“I have no insight to that so you’ll have to ask the Reds but they certainly have the ability to play Super Rugby,” Heenan said.

“Obviously, Quade has had a season away from professional rugby where he has had to do everything himself and I think he’s got growth out of that.”

The City also has also named two Fijian players of towering lock Jale Vakaloloma and flyer Emori Waqavulagi.

Meanwhile, defending NRC champions Queensland Country has retained speedy Fijian winger Filipo Daugunu and Kirwan Sanday.

BRISBANE CITY

Props- Feao Fotuaika, Josh Nasser, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Misioka Timotea; Hookers- Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Andrew Ready, Moli Sooaemalelagi; Locks- Nathan Den Hoedt, Jeremiah Lynch, Zach Moimoi, Lukhan Tui, Jale Vakaloloma; Back row- Matt Gicquel, Michael Gunn, Reece Hewat, Adam Korczyk, Fraser McReight, Pat Mor­rey, Queensland, Tuaina Tualima, Dillon Wihongi; Scrumhalves- Scott Gale, Moses Sorovi; Flyhalves- Quade Cooper, James Dalgleish; Centres- Con Foley, Matt Gordon, Samu Kerevi, Isaac Lucas, Tautalatasi Tasi; Outside backs- Lawson Creighton, Alex Gib­bon, Karmichael Hunt, Lachlan Maranta, Jayden Ngamanu, Emori Waqavulagi

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY

Props- Richie Asiata, Taniela Tupou, Kir­wan Sanday, Fred Burke, Harry Hoopert, Jake Simeon, James Slipper; Hookers- Alex Casey, Efi Ma’afu, Matt Faessler; Locks- An­gus Blyth, Josh Fenner, Rob Puli’uvea, Izack Rodda, Harry Hockings; Backrowers- Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright, Caleb Timu, Tai­nui Ford, Tom Kibble, Harry Wilson, Sunia Finefeuiaki; Scrumhalves- James Tuttle, Tate McDermott; Flyhalves- Hamish Stew­art, Teti Tela; Centres- Duncan Paia’aua, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Tony Hunt, Daniel Boardman; Outside Backs- Izaia Perese, Jordy Petaia, Jock Campbell, Filipo Dau­gunu, Joey Fittock, Patrick James

– Edited by Karalaini Tavi

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