Rugby: Injury another blow for Reds

The Queensland Reds have suffered another setback with Wallabies star Digby Ioane ruled out of their Super 14 clash with the Chiefs because of an injured knee.

Coach Ewen McKenzie took the tough decision to leave game-breaker Ioane behind as the Reds flew to New Zealand for Friday's match in Hamilton.

The injury-hit Reds were already without fullback Peter Hynes (finger dislocation) and wing Rod Davies (fractured cheekbone) for the match, and McKenzie will now have to name a completely changed back three.

McKenzie decided against taking a gamble on winger Ioane's fitness.

"The feeling is that it's better to get it right," said McKenzie.

"With the short turnaround (from Saturday night's loss to the Blues) and with the travel there was a lot of things conspiring against us to get him right.

"There was an opportunity to leave the decision right until the game, but even then there would be some doubt, so we have left it so he can regain full fitness for the Western Force game (on March 14).

"We've still got a lot of games to go.

"We could leave it right to the death and with no preparation go out there, but that could make the injury worse and we'd be having the same problem the week after."

McKenzie was taking a squad of 22 to Hamilton with five changes from that which played the Blues.

Ioane, Hynes, Davies, reserve backs Tim Walsh (broken hand) and Richard Kingi (hamstring) have been replaced in the 22 by Blair Connor, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Brando Vaaulu and QAS Reds Academy back Ben Tapuai.

McKenzie expects to name his starting lineup tomorrow.

Halfback Lucas and outside back Vaaulu were regular Super Rugby starters last year.

Connor, Tapuai and Morahan all made their Reds debuts in 2009, while Morahan was also called up for the end of season Wallaby tour as an injury replacement.

QUEENSLAND REDS SQUAD:

Forwards:

Daniel Braid (vc), Adam Byrnes, Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, Sean Hardman, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Jake Schatz, Robert Simmons, Laurie Weeks.

Backs:

Will Chambers, Blair Connor, Quade Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Will Genia (capt), Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Ben Tapuai, Morgan Turinui, Brando Vaaulu.

- AAP