The Reds have been boosted by the return of a number of Wallabies

May 05, 2011
The Reds have been boosted by the return of a number of Wallabies to their starting line-up for their Australian derby in Melbourne against the Rebels this weekend.

The Queensland front row welcomes back both first choice props from injury. Daley has recovered from the broken nose sustained in the Reds' last Australian derby against the Waratahs while tighthead James Slipper returns after sitting out the last two weeks with a collarbone injury.

The explosive Digby Ioane, who had to pay a fine for his Twitter attack on referee Keith Brown after the loss to the Hurricanes last week, is also back in the starting line-up after recovering from facial lacerations earned in the bruising encounter with the Waratahs and he takes his place on the left wing forcing Dom Shipperley on the bench.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has made a further four changes to the starting team in recalling forwards Saia Faingaa, Rob Simmons and Radike Samo and outside centre Anthony Faingaa.
 Two further changes to the bench see loose forwards Leroy Houston and Jake Schatz gain selection as the Reds look to get back to winning ways after last week's slip-up in Wellington."We have the opportunity to bolster our starting side with six current Wallabies this week, for what is an important derby game for us."
 McKenzie said.
 The Reds smashed the Rebels to pieces in their match in Brisbane earlier in the season; the 53-3 win was the Reds highest points total ever recorded in Super Rugby, while the winning margin of 50 was also their largest.

However, the Rebels have already caused a few upsets this season and McKenzie is refusing to take the competition newcomers lightly.

"The Rebels are a completely different team playing in Melbourne so we aren't going into the game with any misconceptions to the challenge we are going to face," said the Reds boss.

McKenzie was especially pleased with the availability of Slipper this week after he recovered well from his collarbone injury. 

McKenzie said "Slipper passed his fitness test earlier in the week with flying colours and he is raring to go after missing the past two games,"

Reds: 15 Ben Lucas, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Will Chambers, 22 Dom Shipperley.

Match Time: Friday, May 6, Local 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia), Simon Moore (Australia)