Super Rugby
Quade Cooper straight into Reds' starting side
ESPN Staff
May 28, 2015
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Quade Cooper returns from a two-month injury lay-off after being named in Queensland Reds' starting side to play Western Force at nib Stadium in Perth this Saturday.

Cooper's inclusion is one of two changes to the starting side, with Lachie Turner returning from concussion to replace Chris Kuridrani and Beau Robinson selected in his first match-day squad of the campaign after tearing a calf muscle in pre-season. Kuridrani is absent with a calf injury.

"Quade was given the all clear 10 days ago but we wanted to keep working on his strength and bulk just to ensure we didn't compromise his return," Reds coach Richard Graham said. "He has been training with the squad now for about three weeks and will have no problems returning to play at this level."

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"Jake McIntyre will drop to the bench. He has done a good job over the past two weeks. He will take a lot of learnings from two very different games and he should take some confidence from how he has managed the team around the field.

"It has been an extremely challenging year with injuries, and Beau [Robinson] knows that better than most. After an excellent pre-season, he suffered a calf strain in our final trial against the Crusaders and since has endured a number of foot injuries. He has now played a few Premier Rugby games for Souths and is full of enthusiasm to be back in a Reds jersey. He is a fantastic communicator and will provide a lot of energy around the group.

"It is unfortunate to lose Chris [Kuridrani] as he made some strong runs last weekend; however, we are fortunate to bring Lachie [Turner] back into the team."

Graham has named an extended nine-man bench for the trip to Perth, with one player to be omitted prior to the match.

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