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REINSTATED Reds halfback Will Genia reckons his enforced sideline stint has made him a better player.
Genia's comeback from major knee surgery and a recall for former Wallaby winger Luke Morahan are the significant changes for Saturday night's Super Rugby meeting with the Western Force in Brisbane.
Morahan has replaced Dom Shipperley who has failed to recover in time from a back injury.
Genia was a frustrated figure during his rehabilitation but the bigger picture for Queensland, and the Wallabies, is that he has used his time in the grandstand to sharpen his tactical vision.
"I hate watching. You can see things the players can't see, and expect them to see," said Genia, who will captain the team.
"But you're watching from up top as opposed to out on the field.
"It gives you an opportunity to sit back and assess situations in games. And consider how you'd do it differently.
"It's matured me as a player, looking at it from that point of view."
Ben Tapuai and Anthony Faingaa have been retained in the midfield, and for the fourth consecutive match the Reds will field an unchanged starting pack.
The Reds took another blow at training this morning when backrower Radike Samo limped off Ballymore after aggravating a knee injury.
His place on the reserves bench will be filled by fellow veteran Adam Wallace-Harrison.
The Force have already lost winger Nick Cummins and lock Sam Wykes to injuries and a decision on the availability of captain Matt Hodgson will be made tomorrow.
REDS TEAM TO PLAY WESTERN FORCE
1. Greg Holmes
2. Saia Faingaa
3. James Slipper (vc)
4. Ed O'Donoghue
5. Rob Simmons
6. Eddie Quirk
7. Liam Gill
8. Jake Schatz
9. Will Genia (c)
10. Quade Cooper
11. Chris Feauai-Sautia
12. Ben Tapuai
13. Anthony Faingaa
14. Luke Morahan
15. Jono Lance
Reserves:
16. James Hanson
17. Albert Anae
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison
19. Jarrad Butler
20. Nick Frisby
21. Mike Harris
22. Aidan Toua