Overview
- The Reds named their side Wednesday, confirming Tom Lynagh’s first squad appearance of the season on the bench and ruling out Carter Gordon with a minor lower-leg issue.
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips starts at fly-half again after guiding last weekend’s first-ever Reds win in Fiji as they chase a first victory in Wellington since 1998.
- Captain Fraser McReight returns to the starting side after being rested for the trip to face the Fijian Drua.
- NSW has recalled Andrew Kellaway for the Brumbies derby in Canberra, where James Slipper will mark his 100th match for the Brumbies a week after becoming Super Rugby’s all-time appearance leader.
- In Perth, cross-code recruit Zac Lomax trained with the Western Force but will not play against the Chiefs as coaches opt for a phased introduction.