The Reds have made a number of changes for the match with the Rebels, with Karmichael Hunt’s return from a knee injury prompting a shuffle in the backline.
Hunt will resume his regular role as starting full-back, with Duncan Paia’aua shifting back to inside centre and captain Samu Kerevi to outside centre.
Scrum-half Nick Frisby also returns to the starting side in place of James Tuttle, with Moses Sorovi brought into the 23 as reserve scrum-half.
The only other change to the first XV sees Campbell Magnay earn a start on the wing ahead of Izaia Perese, who has moved to the reserves.
Loose forward Adam Korczyk has also been brought back into the matchday 23 for the first time in three weeks, taking the place of Leroy Houston in the reserves.
Reds head coach Nick Stiles said: “It’s great to be able to bring Karmichael back into the side, he has been in fantastic form. He’s arguably our most consistent player and the physicality and chat he brings to the game provides his teammates with a lot of confidence, which allows us to play our best football. He was sorely missed last week.
“In terms of the other changes in the backline, we’ve been happy with the development of Bobby (James Tuttle) and Izaia, but both Nick and Campbell deserve an opportunity in the starting side after working hard in the background to get back to their best. We’ve brought Moses into the reserves because he is a different style of player to Nick and Bobby and feel he can provide a spark off the bench if needed.
“The Rebels will be a tough challenge. Both sides are coming off disappointing losses so there’s no shortage of motivation.”
Reds: 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Campbell Magnay, 13 Samu Kerevi (c), 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 George Smith, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Lukhan Tui, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sef Fa’agase
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Kirwan Sanday, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Izaia Perese
Date: Saturday, May 13
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19:45 local (09:45 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Shuhei Kubo, Ed Martin
TMO: Damien Mitchelmore
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