Blake earns Reds recall

Prop Rodney Blake has been recalled to the Reds starting side for their clash with the Chiefs at Hamilton on Saturday.

'Enthusiasm' helps prop win place in starting XV

Prop Rodney Blake has been recalled to the Reds starting side for their clash with the Chiefs at Hamilton on Saturday. However skipper Sam Cordingley has failed to overcome a calf injury and will sit out the match, allowing young lock James Horwill to retain the captaincy. Winger Digby Ioane returns from a broken finger sustained on the South African tour and will start on the bench. "It's a blow for Sam (Cordingley), who was desperate to play, but we didn't want to risk him at this stage of the season with Wallaby selections just around the corner," said Reds coach Phil Mooney. "And we're fortunate to have great backup at scrumhalf in Ben Lucas and Will Genia, and a standby skipper who's on a roll." Blake earned his recall with a strong performance off the bench against the Force. "Rodney brought real enthusiasm into the game in the second half on Friday night and we want him to do the same from the kick-off on Saturday," said Mooney. Mooney said wingers Peter Hynes and Brando Va'aulu had earned the right to start the match ahead of Ioane, who replaces Andrew Walker on the bench. Reds: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Brando Va'aulu, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 David Croft, 6 John Roe, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Van Humphries, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Coutts.
Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Dayna Edwards, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Poutasi Luafutu, 20 Will Genia, 21 Charlie Fetoai, 22 Digby Ioane.