Queensland Reds enforcer Anthony Faingaa has been cleared to play for the Reds in their second and final Super Rugby trial match of 2012 against the Western Force in Perth.
Faingaa has made a speedy recovery from offseason shoulder surgery to be passed fit for the encounter, giving the talented 25-year-old a solid hitout before the Reds season opening Super Rugby match against the NSW Waratahs on February 25.
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Faingaa will partner Ben Tapuai in the centres as part of a 24-man playing squad which will be aiming to secure its second straight trial victory following Saturday's 27-20 success over the ACT Brumbies in Cairns.
Captain James Horwill and vice-captain Will Genia have been injected into the starting XV which includes seven capped Wallabies from 2011.
Flyhalf Mike Harris will commence the match wearing the number 10 jersey in a starting backline which also features Digby Ioane and Dom Shipperley on the wings and Luke Morahan at fullback.
Horwill will partner fellow Wallabies lock Rob Simmons while props James Slipper and Ben Daley, and hooker James Hanson, round out the tight-five.
The Reds will field a young backrow with Jake Schatz at number eight combining with Eddie Quirk and Liam Gill at blindside and openside flanker respectively.
"We're not long away from playing New South Wales so it's pleasing to see Ant make an earlier than expected return from injury which will give him some solid match practice before round one," coach Ewen McKenzie said.
"There's no denying his defence is a huge asset but he has an ability to lift those around him with his enthusiasm and with the intensity in which he plays the game.
"Securing a win in our opening trial against the Brumbies was important but it has also given us a number of areas to concentrate on moving forward.
"We've got a strong platform from which to work so it's important the group now takes onboard the feedback we've offered while putting it into practice in pressure game situations against the Force."
Faingaa has made a speedy recovery from offseason shoulder surgery to be passed fit for the encounter, giving the talented 25-year-old a solid hitout before the Reds season opening Super Rugby match against the NSW Waratahs on February 25.
Super 15 rugby live
Reds rugby live
Faingaa will partner Ben Tapuai in the centres as part of a 24-man playing squad which will be aiming to secure its second straight trial victory following Saturday's 27-20 success over the ACT Brumbies in Cairns.
Captain James Horwill and vice-captain Will Genia have been injected into the starting XV which includes seven capped Wallabies from 2011.
Flyhalf Mike Harris will commence the match wearing the number 10 jersey in a starting backline which also features Digby Ioane and Dom Shipperley on the wings and Luke Morahan at fullback.
Horwill will partner fellow Wallabies lock Rob Simmons while props James Slipper and Ben Daley, and hooker James Hanson, round out the tight-five.
The Reds will field a young backrow with Jake Schatz at number eight combining with Eddie Quirk and Liam Gill at blindside and openside flanker respectively.
"We're not long away from playing New South Wales so it's pleasing to see Ant make an earlier than expected return from injury which will give him some solid match practice before round one," coach Ewen McKenzie said.
"There's no denying his defence is a huge asset but he has an ability to lift those around him with his enthusiasm and with the intensity in which he plays the game.
"Securing a win in our opening trial against the Brumbies was important but it has also given us a number of areas to concentrate on moving forward.
"We've got a strong platform from which to work so it's important the group now takes onboard the feedback we've offered while putting it into practice in pressure game situations against the Force."
