Volavola named on Reds bench

Former Flying Fijians flyhalf Ben Volavola gears up for a potential debut for the Queensland Reds in Sat­urday's Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific showdown against the Fijian Drua at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

Reds head coach Les Kiss has named Volavola on the bench. Also, in another milestone, fullback Jock Campbell will play his 100th game for the Reds in Lautoka.

This is well deserved for Campbell who has been one of the form fullbacks in Super Rugby Pa­cific with influential recent performances against the ACT Brumbies and NSW Wara­tahs.

Campbell, 30, will become just the second Queensland fullback to reach the 100-game milestone, after the great Chris Latham, when he runs out against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka on Saturday.

In his eighth season for the Reds, Campbell's gliding dynamism from the back has become his calling card with 24 tries across his career for the club as Queensland player #1339.

"It's definitely a honour. For me, the biggest thing is

making sure I play my part in strong team performanc­es," the humble Campbell said.

"I guess one aspect is passing on some of my experience. I've spoken to a few of the young guys in the squad about playing in Fiji and being prepared for the conditions and the crowd."

Volavola has been se­lected on the bench for the first time and is likely to

make his Reds debut. He is well acquainted with playing in Fiji, the country he has represented 38 times in Tests across a long career. He has played in two games in recent weeks for the Reds Develop­ment XV against Brisbane club sides to earn his place as a util­ity back. Flyhalf Carter Gordon, flanker Fraser McReight and prop Zane Nonggorr will miss this match.

"It's part of the process of having regeneration weeks for players. Fraser, Carter and Zane will miss this game," Les Kiss said.

"This creates opportunities for prop Nick Bloomfield and backrower John Bryant, who have both played in our three Development games. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has played for us in every game this season and will start this one at fly­half."

There is a start at halfback for Kalani Thomas, who has been a spark off the bench in the Reds' run of three wins. Louis Werchon will play off the bench on Saturday.

Hunter Paisami returns from two games off with an ankle issue. He will partner Isaac Henry in the centres.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson will step up to skipper the side in McReight's absence.

Kiss said the challenge of facing the Drua in Fiji was one the Reds were preparing for.

"The Drua have had back-to-back wins at home in good fash­ion. They've certainly grown their game and we know they have dangerous players across the pitch. We expect a massive challenge," Kiss said.

LINE-UP
1 Aidan Ross, 2 Josh Nasser, 3 Nick Bloomfield, 4 Seru Uru, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Joe Brial, 7 John Bryant, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 9. Kalani Thomas, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 11 Tim Ryan, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Isaac Henry, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 15 Jock Campbell

Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Ben Volavola*, 23 Treyvon Pritchard