Queensland Reds

The Drua dominated the second half after scores were locked 17-17 at the break, the wheels falling off for a Reds team now relying on an under-strength Chiefs to beat the Western Force in Perth to play finals.

Victory on a wet afternoon at Suva's HFC Bank Stadium lifted Mick Byrne's men (6-8) above four teams, including the Reds (5-9), into seventh to assure them a quarter-final berth.

And it bumped the Reds back to eighth - the Force now able to shunt them out of the finals picture and book their own berth with a win over the Chiefs later on Saturday.

Zane had his first crack last weekend in a trial match against the Western Force at the expense of the injured Taniela Tupou who is out for the season. 

Reds opened their 2023 campaign in comprehensive fashion securing a 45-10 over Western Force in Perth.

Queensland Reds rising star Zane Nonggorr has some big shoes to fill this season after Wallaby Taniela Tupou was injured during end of last year’s tour.

But after a week of intense criticism and questioning, Brad Fittler's controversial selections, and non-selections, have been justified after NSW kept the series alive with an emphatic 38-6 win against Queensland in Perth on Sunday night.

The Maroons were totally outclassed and out-enthused by a NSW team that had spent an entire week working on working harder.

More effort, Fittler wanted. Effort he got.

James Maloney strolled into Blues camp exactly seven days ago, after repeatedly being snubbed in the weeks prior, asking the coach if he had lost his number.

The pair will return on the bench, with Queensland also making two changes to their starting XV.

Harry Hockings will start at lock, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto shifting to flanker, while Angus Scott-Young will start at No.8 with Caleb Timu on the bench.

Izack Rodda will also play, determined to help the Reds try and arrest the Crusaders record 17-game winning streak despite the death of his father last week.

He just got a whole lot better in every other department.

Jet-heeled prop Tupou showed he is ready to add to his one substitute appearance for the Wallabies with an eye-catching display for the Queensland Reds in their 38-34 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Tupou powered over for one try and set up another for winger Jordan Petaia with a spectacular 30-metre burst and offload down the left flank.

Ready has been overlooked for Queensland's first three games this season, Brandon Paenga-Amosa taking the opportunity as starting hooker with both hands and Alex Mafi doing a fine job as a late game finisher.

But Thorn, who has made a handful of changes to the team that beat the Bulls, has seen enough from the highly touted 24-year-old to hand him a chance this weekend.

There's just one change to the starting XV but it's a significant one, Angus Scott-Young slotting into the backrow for his Super Rugby start, ahead of Liam Wright.

Smith was arrested in Japan on New Year's Eve for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver, detained for 18 days by Japanese authorities, with the Reds only learning of the incident when it was reported in the Japanese media well after the fact.

RUGBY.com.au understands the 37-year-old met with Reds CEO Richard Barker and other stakeholders upon his return to Brisbane last week, asked to explain how he landed himself in hot water on New Year's Eve.