Roe returns for the Reds

Roe returns for the Reds

February 04, 2008

QUEENSLAND No.8 John Roe will return for his first match in nine months to take the reins of the Reds in their final Super 14 pre-season trial against the Western Force.

The former Wallabies back-rower will make his comeback from a shoulder reconstruction in a near full-strength Reds side.

Roe hasn't played since family reasons forced him to rush home early from Queensland's horror trip to South Africa last April when the Bulls thumped them by a record 92-3 in Pretoria.

Clinton Schifcofske also makes his first appearance this season on the wing, but prize recruit Digby Ioane has been given an extra week off to rest his knee before the Super 14 opener against the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium on February 15.

Former Force winger Ioane, who underwent an arthroscope a month ago, is the only prospective top-line Queensland selection not starting at Members Equity Stadium.

"We've given Digby one more week to get over his off-season knee surgery but he could have played had this been the Super 14," said coach Phil Mooney.

"We know what Digby can do on the footy field, he's an exceptional player, so there was no need to rush him back for a trial."

Roe replaces fellow 2005 Wallabies tourist Leroy Houston, who started in the 25-19 loss to the Blues at Ballymore.

The goalkicking Schifcofske will play on the left wing, taking the place of Peter Hynes.

Young halfback Will Genia makes his first appearance of the season off the bench after suffering a hand fracture while moving a refrigerator in his native Papua New Guinea.

The Reds, wooden spooners in 2007, lost to the Blues in the final minute but Mooney believed there were far more positives than negatives to come out of the match.

"It's always nice to win, but being realistic, these are all trial games, an opportunity to try a few things and get players match fit," he said.

"If we can get our patterns right against the Force we’ll be happy with that."

AAP