Wallaby Digby Ioane returns at outside centre and fellow international Peter Hynes to fullback for the QR Reds' round five Investec Bank Super 14 match with the Force at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon (kickoff 4:30pm), which Head Coach Ewen McKenzie predicts will be one of the Reds' toughest games.

McKenzie has shifted Ioane from the wing back to outside centre - where he flourished in 2009 for the Reds and later for the Wallabies in their end of season Spring Tour - following his recovery from a knee problem that forced him out of last week's 23-18 win over the Chiefs.

Fullback Hynes (dislocated finger) also missed that match but returns for the crucial match against the desperate Force, who have yet to earn a competition point in 2010.

McKenzie said despite the Reds' encouraging form in the opening rounds, he was always looking for ways to improve and the decision to move Ioane to outside centre at the expense of former Wallaby Morgan Turinui was a reflection of that.

"We don't want to pretend we're doing everything right. We've been competitive and we've had a couple of wins, but we've got to keep trying to improve," McKenzie said.

"We have a lot of good players, so it's about trying things and giving guys opportunities. Obviously Digby is the incumbent test outside centre and we think, for this match, it's the right way to start the game."

Hynes' return to fullback means Wallaby tourist Luke Morahan moves back to his more accustomed role on the right wing, with Brando Va'aulu on the left wing.

"There's a lot of detail in their (Morahan and Va'aulu) games that a lot of people wouldn't appreciate. We asked them to do a lot of things last week and they did a pretty good job," McKenzie said.

"We've got to recognise that and give them another opportunity."

In the only other change to the starting lineup, McKenzie has promoted young lock Robert Simmons, who will make his Queensland and Super Rugby run-on debut, to partner Van Humphries in the second row.

McKenzie said he wanted to reward Simmons' efforts when coming on as a replacement by swapping places with incumbent lock Adam Byrnes, who has had a lot of game time in the opening month of the season.

"It's a bit of both. Byrnesy's been doing the hard yards for us since the start and Simmo has been doing a good job off the bench, so we want to give him a chance," he said.

"But Byrnes is still there and across the game we'll be using both of them."

The Reds’ young front-row of loosehead Ben Daley, tighthead Laurie Weeks and hooker Saia Faingaa remains intact, as does their backrow of flankers Scott Higginbotham and Daniel Braid and number eight Leroy Houston.

The Reds’ inside backs remain the same, with interim captain and scrumhalf Will Genia, flyhalf Quade Cooper and inside centre Anthony Faingaa responsible for igniting their attack.

Former Wallabies Turinui, Sean Hardman and Greg Holmes partner Byrnes, Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas and Will Chambers on the bench.

Despite the Force being winless at the bottom of the ladder, McKenzie emphasised his team won't be underestimating the challenge they face.

"We're not underestimating them at all. You can't be fooled by their ladder position; they've had three games and they've been in all of them up until the last 15 minutes. They've been playing desperate and hard rugby the whole year.

"They're not inferior and they are a difficult team to play. This will be one of our toughest games. History tells us they've had good and substantial wins over us, and they obviously beat us in a trial a month and a half ago, so there's no reason we'll be taking them lightly."

This is an important game for the Reds, they must make the most of their home ground advantage. Reds by 7

Super 14 major happings

Milestones: Congratulations to Ma’a Nonu for playing in his 200th first class match last weekend.

Closing in: At the start of the Rebel Sport Super 14 season, Dan Carter was 71 points behind Stirling Mortlock. After four
weeks of Super Rugby, he’s narrowed the gap to 39 points: Mortlock is on 1019 and the Crusader is on 980 with Andrew
Mehrtens in between them on 990. Come on DC …

The matter of stats: It’s dead even with six games each for the Stormers and the Hurricanes. The Cape Town side has a
slight advantage on total Super Rugby points for and against: 294 to 278. It’s also pretty close between the Bulls and the
Highlanders, with the Highlanders on seven, the Bulls on six and a draw. However, it’s one-way traffic between the
Crusaders and the Chiefs with the seven-time champions ahead 10 victories to four, scoring on average, 10 points a
game more against their Waikato-based opponents than the Chiefs have managed against them.

Did you know: None of the New Zealand sides playing this weekend have played their opponent in a playoff match?

Sweet nothings: When the Highlanders didn’t score a point against the Stormers, it was the first time in Super Rugby that
a South African side has kept a New Zealand side scoreless - in answer to the three times our teams have done it to
them - and it was only the ninth time ever in Super Rugby that a side has scored no points. By comparison, at least 10
sides in the Heineken Cup have failed to score since 2006-2007.
)

Super 14 tips

Game 28: Chiefs v Crusaders: Crusaders by 6

Game 29: Waratahs v Lions: Waratahs by 5

Game 30: Brumbies v Sharks: Brumbies by 5

Game 31: Bulls v Highlanders: Bulls by 3

Game 32: Stormers v Hurricanes: Stormers by 3

Game 33: Reds v Force: Reds by 4

Waldrom and Franks get green light

Thomas Waldrom and Ben Franks will both be available to take their places on the reserves bench for the Crusaders in the Rebel Sport Super 14 match against the Chiefs on Friday.No8 Waldrom didn’t play in the victory over the Blues last weekend – the first match he has missed for the Crusaders – due to an Achilles tendon strain suffered in the previous week’s win over the Sharks.







Prop Franks was sidelined last week by a knee strain. Both players were initially bracketed but came through training today well.Halfback Kahn Fotuali’i gets his first start of the season, replacing Andy Ellis, who received a head knock against the Blues.The other change is at lock, where Isaac Ross teams up with Brad Thorn, with Sam Whitelock on the reserves bench after starting the previous four matches.

Coach Todd Blackadder is expecting a tough encounter at Rugby Park , Hamilton , against a Chiefs side which will be hurting after losing to the Reds last weekend.“The Chiefs are always tough at home and they obviously have some very exciting ball runners, but we’ll be well prepared and are looking forward to it,” he said.
The Chiefs who won all their three games on the road in South Africa, lost their first home game against the Reds. The will be out to reset their season, in front of a strong home crowd. The match will kick off at 735 on Friday night.

Crusaders Super 14 side to play Chiefs this Friday night

1. Wyatt Crockett 12. Ryan Crotty
2. Ti’i Paulo 13. Robbie Fruean
3. Owen Franks 14. Sean Maitland
4. Brad Thorn 15. Jared Payne
5. Isaac Ross 16. Corey Flynn
6. Richie McCaw (Capt) 17. Ben Franks/ Peter Borlase
7. George Whitelock 18. Sam Whitelock
8. Kieran Read 19. Thomas Waldrom/ Jonathan Poff
9. Kahn Fotuali’i 20. Willi Heinz
10. Daniel Carter 21. Adam Whitelock
11. Zac Guildford 22. Colin Slade

New Zealand cricket update.

BLACKCAPS physiotherapist, Kate Stalker, said Ross Taylor will undergo a fitness test today before a decision is made on his availability for today’s 3rd ODI in Hamilton.

Daryl Tuffey has been ruled out with a calf strain. James Franklin will also be sidelined due to a hamstring strain. Stalker says both injuries are moderate and are the players are still rehabilitating.

BLACKCAPS bowling coach, Shane Jurgensen, said that Michael Mason will play today.

Batting coach, Mark Greatbatch, said that should Ross Taylor not be fit Canterbury’s Shanan Stewart will make his debut appearance for the BLACKCAPS.
The third ODI gets under way here in New Zealand today.
The series is tied at 1-1.
The Chappell-Haddle trophy is on the line for both sides.

Placemakers Burkes Pass to Albury Pub.

The annual Placemakers Burkes Pass to Albury pub mountain bike adventure is over for another year. This year marked the 24th year the ride has been held. This ride is held in the majestic Mac Kenzie country in South Canterbury.
With 700 riders taking part in fine warm conditions the day went off without a hitch. Special Events Aoraki Ltd Communications Manager Ken Dunning said “ The day was challenging for some and a good hard training ride for those who had big events coming up”
Mr Dunning said “The most pleasing aspect of the day was the numbers of families taking part, 100 children took mum, dad or both along for the ride.”
Riders came from as far as Christchurch, Dunedin, Central Otago as well as a large number of locals. Ages ranged from 7 to 80.The most common occupation was farming, 50% were doing the ride for the first time. All those who did it for the first time will be back for the 25 ride in 2011. Several have done ten or more rides.
Race organize Chris Thomas said “A big thank-you to all those marshals and volunteers who made the day easier for theparticapents.” The Marshals came from the Albury home and school with Julieann Sutherland taking the lead in organizing them.
The day was rounded out with live music from Big Picnic, a BBQ by the Albury school, and prize giving. There was even a playground trailer provided by Rotary.
Mr Thomas would also like thank all the landowners for letting the riders pass through their land. “Without their great support it would not be even able to get off the ground.”
He also said a huge than-you to all those who provided sponsorship for the event.
Next year marks the 25 anniversary of this iconic South Canterbury event. Mr Dunning said Now is the time to start planning your ride. “Why not come down and make a weekend of it by staying at the historic Albury Pub.” Mr Dunning said.
Results:
OPEN MEN Brent Miller 1 1:19:26 Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Craig Atwill 2 1:21:44 Timaru, NEW ZEALAND
Mark Richards 3 1:21:46 TIMARU, NEW ZEALAND
OPEN LADIES

Lucie Urbancova 1 1:37:43 Geraldine, NEW ZEALAND
Nicola Howes 2 1:38:37 Timaru, NEW ZEALAND
Sarah Moore 3 1:40:43

-ENDS-

ken@specialevents.co.nz