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Queensland Reds talisman Samu Kerevi has been rested from the Queensland Reds side to face the Chiefs, following a request from Rugby Australia.
Queensland Reds captain and star performer Samu Kerevi has been rested for the first time this Super Rugby season, just as his team enter do-or-die territory against the Chiefs.
Coach Brad Thorn will field a new-look midfield for Friday's game in Hamilton, including Seb Wileman on debut at outside centre while two reserve backs are also in line for their maiden Super Rugby appearances.
Injury and unavailability have diminished the backline options for Thorn, who had no choice but to omit standout attacking force Kerevi under Rugby Australia's welfare protocols for its Wallabies.
Inside centre Kerevi, who looks a certain Test selection, has played all but 14 minutes of the Reds' campaign. Ten of those were spent in the sin bin against the Melbourne Rebels two weeks ago.
Wallabies lock Izack Rodda assumes the captaincy of a lower-table match the Reds must win to have any realistic hopes of staying in finals contention.
Assistant coach Jim McKay said Rodda, at 22, was fully equipped to fill the leadership void left by Kerevi.
"He has grown and he's a senior player within the group," McKay said.
"I think that he'll do a terrific job for us and it's a great experience for him as well ... he was the obvious choice to step up there."
After successive Australian derby losses, Queensland are 13th on the standings, one place ahead of the Chiefs and six points outside the top eight with four rounds to play.
Two of the three starting changes from the 40-32 loss to the Waratahs come in the midfield.
Duncan Paia'aua replaces Kerevi and Wileman is promoted in place of the injured Chris Feauai-Sautia (knee). JP Smith makes way for Harry Hoopert at loosehead prop.
The backline bench cover is raw in the extreme.
Halfback Scott Malolua and outside back Liam McNamara are both poised for debuts after joining the Reds as injury cover.
Five-eighth reserve Teti Tela's sole appearance came last season.
The Chiefs team is notable for the first start of the year for All Blacks openside flanker Sam Cane, who was sidelined for seven months by a neck fracture.
Cane made his playing return off the bench last week in their 23-8 loss to the Blues, a result that leaves the Chiefs with little prospect of finals football.
CHIEFS
Solomon Alaimalo, Shaun Stevenson, Tumua Manu, Alex Nankivell, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber (capt), Pita Gus Sowakula, Lachlan Boshier, Sam Cane, Tyler Ardron, Jesse Parete, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Atu Moli. Res: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross, Sosefo Kautai, Daymon Leasuasu, Mitchell Karpik, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Jack Debreczeni, Sean Wainui.
QUEENSLAND REDS
Matt McGahan, Jock Campbell, Seb Wileman, Duncan Paia'aua, Sefa Naivalu, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Izack Rodda (capt), Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert. Res: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Feao Fotuaika, Ruan Smith, Adam Korczyk, Scott Higginbotham, Scott Malolua, Teti Tela, Liam McNamara.
