Queensland has named Sam Cordingley at halfback in place of Jacob Rauluni for its Super 12 clash with the Chiefs at Ballymore.

A veteran of five Tests for Australia, Cordingley has been promoted after coming off the bench last week at the expense of Rauluni and helping the Reds to a 34-23 win over the Blues.

"There is pressure throughout the squad to play well because there are some quality players on the bench and I think that is healthy," Cordingley (picturd) said. "I was confident I would get an opportunity at some stage in the season and now it's up to me to grab it."

"Sam started the season slowly but showed last week he was close to his best form and if he reproduces that effort against the Chiefs I'll be happy," Queensland coach Mark McBain said.

In 2001 Cordingley started in just three matches because of injury, and had been unable to displace Rauluni from the halfback's role in the first two matches of the new season.

Cordingley played originally for the Brumbies when he made his Super 12 debut in 1998, but moved north two years later and became the Reds' starting halfback before also playing three matches for Australia on the end of season tour to Britain and Europe.

Tight head prop Fletcher Dyson also retained his starting berth after a strong performance that included several damaging runs against Auckland, while Glenn Panoho returns to the bench after an ankle injury that kept him out of the win over the Blues.

Reds: Nick Stiles, Sean Hardman, Fletcher Dyson, Mark Connors, Nathan Sharpe, Matt Cockbain, David Croft, Toutai Kefu, Sam Cordingley, Elton Flatley, Wendell Sailor, Steve Kefu, Daniel Herbert (capt), Ben Tune, Chris Latham. Substitutes: Tom Murphy, Glenn Panoho, Mike Mitchell, John Roe, Junior Pelesasa, Andrew Scotney, Jacob Rauluni.