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New Queensland Reds lock Adam Byrnes in hot water over lineout
By Jim Tucker
January 26, 2009 AGGRESSIVE new Queensland lock Adam Byrnes has been cast as the villain by NSW, who have referred a lineout incident to the Australian Rugby Union for scrutiny.
Towering young Waratahs lock Chris Thomson had to be replaced after reeling out of a first-half lineout during Saturday's 17-5 trial win over the Reds in Toowoomba.
Byrnes was in the thick of several intense skirmishes with players from his former state where he was part of the Waratahs Academy just last year.
In another flare-up, Waratahs centre Tom Carter barked abuse at Byrnes after a grapple-fest on the turf.
"Sure, there was some physical stuff and some bumping but it was all part of both teams getting into it with their first run of the season," Byrnes said.
The Reds will call in 10 frontliners for Friday's trial against Auckland Blues at Waitakere Stadium in west Auckland when a far better read on Queensland's Super 14 prospects will be possible.
Reds coach Phil Mooney said former Canberra Raider Mark McLinden was sure to start at full-back for a second trial after a positive lift-off.
"I'm imagining that Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes will come in so it's important for Mark to get a run with our Wallaby wingers," Mooney said.
"The next step will be for Mark to become a bit more instinctive, such as spotting a big opposition forward where he can have a one-on-one go at him."
One rugby league rule hangover crept into McLinden's display against NSW when he deliberately batted a ball over the deadball line in defence - a no-no in rugby.
"We escaped with a 22m drop-out but it should have been a penalty. Mark's followed in the footsteps of Wendell Sailor and Clinton Schifcofske with that slip," Mooney said.
Prop Laurie Weeks made a big impression to throw down the gauntlet at tighthead to 2008 regular Dayna Edwards.
Not only did he scrum well, Weeks triggered an early 30m gallop for back-rower Scott Higginbotham and backed up expertly to keep the move going.
One-time Blues regular Daniel Braid will make his Reds debut against his former Super 14 side in a riveting first-up challenge.
The Reds lacked direction against the fast-rushing NSW defence so the inclusion of Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper and halfback Ben Lucas will sharpen things.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html