20 Jul 2012

Lucas replaces Cooper as Reds No.10

6:45 pm on 20 July 2012

Ben Lucas will fill in for the suspended Quade Cooper in the No.10 jersey for the Queensland Reds' Super Rugby qualifying final against the Sharks on Saturday night.

Utility back Lucas is the only change to the starting line-up that secured a bonus-point win over the NSW Waratahs last round to grab a finals spot.

New Zealander Mike Harris, who's now a Wallaby, remains at No.12 rather than moving in a place to take over the playmaker role. He'll again be the goalkicker.

Queensland have won 21 of their last 23 games at Suncorp Stadium.

Queensland Reds: Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Will Genia (capt), Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes. Res: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Radike Samo, Beau Robinson, Jarrad Butler, Nick Frisby, Ben Tapuai.