Tune in doubt for junior All Blacks clash

SYDNEY - Former Wallabies wing Ben Tune will be given until shortly before kick-off to prove his fitness for Queensland's rugby clash with the Junior All Blacks in Brisbane tomorrow night.

Tune, who made a remarkable comeback this season from career-threatening knee injuries, suffered another knee injury while playing for Northern Territory invitational team, the 'Aussie Mozzies', against Samoa in Darwin last weekend.

Reds coach Jeff Miller said Tune would be given until tomorrow morning to prove his fitness.

"Ben's obviously in doubt, we don't know what's going to happen with him until tomorrow morning," he said.

Miller said Andrew Brown would be promoted into the starting line-up if Tune's knee fails to respond to treatment in time. Cameron Northcott would then take Brown's place on the bench.

Veteran prop Nick Stiles will captain the Reds for the first time in his 93 caps for Queensland.

At the other end of the spectrum up to five players could make their Reds debuts with Brown, David Collis, Matt Windle, Ole Avei, and Anthony Sauer all named on the bench.

The Junior All Blacks have named a strong team that include 13 former All Blacks, including captain Steven Bates, Joe Rokocoko, Caleb Ralph and Marty Holah.

Queensland won their last and only game against the Junior All Blacks in 1964.

Queensland:

Julian Huxley

Junior Pelesasa

Ben Tune/Andrew Brown

Steve Kefu

Drew Mitchell

Elton Flatley

Brett Sheehan

Luke Doherty

David Croft

Tom McVerry

Mitchell Chapman

Rudi Vedelago

Anthony Mathison

Sean Hardman

Nick Stiles (captain)

Reserves: Oli Avei

Greg Holmes

Matt Windle

Matt Stafford

Dave Collis

Andrew Brown/Cameron Northcott

Ant Sauer

- NZPA