This is the game with the hashtag most likely to be stuffed up on the weekend (#REDvREB), and with the number of Jacks, James’s & Jakes in the sides my predictive text is already having conniptions.
Let’s face it, the Reds have had a horror of a season with the result their latest outing to Crusader land still feeling like salt being stomped into fresh ruck marks by a bunch of rampaging All Blacks then being doused in vinegar. Ok, maybe a little less painful, but still painful to say the least. But there has been movement at the station known as Ballymore………
To go with the not less than significant staff changes, there have been a few shuffles in the Reds team. Importantly we are actually starting with a flyhalf in the 10 jersey. Jake McIntyre makes his long awaited debut after a stellar NRC under his belt in 2014. However, head knocks during the Crusaders game last weekend mean that Ant Fainga’a is out and Nick Frisby might be joining him in the hospital ward. Jake Shatz returns from injury and there are some new names on the reserves bench including possible debutant Sam Greene. (Two flyhalves in the same team – who’d have thunk it?)
The Rebels, on the other hand, are cruising to their best season yet. Their six wins this season have included the scalps of the Crusaders, Brumbies and Chiefs, in addition to taking the Reds to task in their first encounter of the season in Melbourne.
Minimal changes have needed to happen to the Rebels line-up. Sean McMahon & Tamati Ellison return from injury meaning that Colby Fainga’a drops back to the bench pushing Scott Fugistaller out of the 23. After his excursion into the centres last week, Dom Shipperley moves back to the wing with Tom English dropping back to the bench. The other news is the return of Laurie Weeks from a knee injury through the bench.
Key matchups
The Front Rows
About the only thing that has been going well for the Reds this season has been their scrum. I was going to mention the whole forward pack but I am sure that you are just interested in how an all Wallaby front row of the Reds is going to stand up against three guys who have possibly got equal claims. Paul Alo-Emile has arguably been one of the best performing Australian THP’s this season and James Slipper is one of the few players most of us would write in ink on a Wallaby team sheet. Chibba has been holding his own and it is good to see Greg Holmes work through his injury issues and get back on the field. On the Rebels side of the ledger, Pat Leafa has shown some improvement this year and Toby Smith has grabbed his chances with both hands.
Jack Debreczeni v Jake McIntyre
The battle of the babies. Debreczeni has been playing very well this season and his monster penalty conversion from 50 plus metres last week has put all teams on notice – infringe within 60m at your peril. However, this is his first visit to the cauldron that is Suncorp. Expectations of McIntyre are high, mostly by the Reds fans, so let’s hope that he can even half meet them. We wait with baited breath to see which of these youngsters rise or fall with the pressure of a Suncorp crowd baying for blood as they both have the ability to win or lose the game for their teams.
Liam Gill v Jordy Reid
There are many arguments over which of the Australian openside flankers should make the world cup squad later this year. Gill has put in some very good performances this year and appears to be getting back to his pestering, thieving best. Enter stage left the George Smith styled Reid who has also had some excellent runs this year earning a few MOTM’s and more than one mention in the Super Rugby team of the week. Who will be the teacher and who will be the student?
Prediction
This is a bit like Reds A facing off against Reds B. I just don’t know which team is which. The Reds are going to have to be on their best behaviour, if Harris & Debreczeni kick well infringements will be punished.
Will I have to turn in my Reds Membership card if I say the Rebels by 3?
Teams
Reds v Rebels
 |  | 
|
| James Slipper (C) | 1 | Toby Smith |
| James Hanson | 2 | Pat Leafa |
| Greg Holmes | 3 | Paul Alo-Emile |
| Rob Simmons (VC) | 4 | Luke Jones |
| James Horwill | 5 | Lopeti Timani |
| Adam Thomson | 6 | Sean McMahon |
| Liam Gill | 7 | Jordy Reid |
| Jake Schatz | 8 | Scott Higginbotham |
| Will Genia | 9 | Nic Stirzaker |
| Jake McIntyre (debut) | 10 | Jack Debreczeni |
| Lachie Turner | 11 | Sefanaia Naivalu |
| Samu Kerevi | 12 | Mitch Inman |
| Karmichael Hunt | 13 | Tamati Ellison |
| Chris Feauai-Sautia | 14 | Dom Shipperley |
| James OConnor | 15 | Mike Harris |
| Reserves | ||
| Andrew Ready | 16 | Tom Sexton |
| Pettowa Paraka | 17 | Cruze Ah-Nau |
| Sam Talakai | 18 | Laurie Weeks |
| Ed O'Donoghue | 19 | Cadeyrn Neville |
| Lolo Fakaosilea | 20 | Colby Fainga’a |
| Nick Frisby/Scott Gale | 21 | Luke Burgess |
| Sam Greene | 22 | Bryce Hegarty |
| Ben Tapuai | 23 | Tom English |
| Location: | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | |
| Kickoff: | Fri 15 May 19:40 | |
| Referee: | Andrew Lees | |
| Assistant Ref 1: | James Leckie | |
| Assistant Ref 2: | Michael Hogan | |
| TMO : | Ian Smith |
