Harry Wilson has been named to start for the Queensland Reds against a Crusaders team stacked with All Blacks for their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final.
The incumbent Wallabies captain looked at long odds to play when he ran off in obvious pain late in Saturday’s defeat of the Fijian Drua, just two games into his return from a fractured arm.
But precautionary scans cleared Wilson to return to training this week.
The influential No.8 trained on Tuesday and has been named to start in what is forecast to be a cold, wet Friday-night encounter.
Wilson starred when the Reds ended a 25-year winning drought in Christchurch last year.
He has always been highly rated across the ditch, earning glowing praise from then Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, now helming the All Blacks, after his 2020 Super Rugby debut.
“It’s really pleasing news for us but, more importantly, for Harry. He’s come through the early part of the week well,” coach Les Kiss said.”He’s a true competitor when it comes to battles against the New Zealand sides and their top back rows.”
Versatile forward Seru Uru (knee) has not been recalled despite training on Tuesday, the Reds’ pack unchanged for a third straight game.
Centre Dre Pakeho returns to the bench with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (HIA) sidelined, while Filipo Daugunu will start on the wing and Tim Ryan will come off the bench.
The Crusaders, who won five consecutive Super Rugby titles either side of the COVID-19 impacted 2020-21 seasons, are on a 16-game finals winning streak dating back to 2016.
They have never lost a finals game at home and have won 13 of their past 14 games against the Reds.
Fullback Will Jordan is back, while captain David Havili returns at centre, the pair among 10 All Blacks in the Crusaders’ starting 15.
Former Reds playmaker James O’Connor, hunting a feel-good Wallabies recall ahead of the British and Irish Lions series, will come off the bench.
“This is a strong team, and I can’t wait to unleash them come Friday,” coach Rob Penney said.
REDS: Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell. Reserves: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Angus Blyth, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan.
CRUSADERS: Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan. Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Kyle Preston, James O’Connor, Johnny McNicholl.
