Morahan set for fullback role at Reds

Reds teenager Luke Morahan is set to start at fullback against the unbeaten Chiefs
after Queensland's Super 14 hopes were dealt a major blow with the loss of Wallabies
flyer Peter Hynes.
Hynes won't require surgery on his badly-dislocated finger but faces one to two
weeks on the sidelines following his injury in the 27-18 loss to the Blues.
The Test star's scratching has been compounded by the loss of fellow speedster Rod
Davies (cheekbone), and reserve halves Richard Kingi (hamstring) and Tim Walsh
(broken knuckle).
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has few options available to him at No.15 where Hynes has
made an eye-catching transition from the wing.
Wallabies tourist Morahan, who turns 20 next month, is certain to travel with
Queensland's squad to Hamilton on Wednesday morning and should make his second Super
14 start, and first at fullback in a challenging positional baptism.
McKenzie played playmaker Quade Cooper at fullback in the second half of Saturday
night's loss but with both Kingi and Walsh unavailable, any thoughts of using him or
fellow five-eighth Ben Lucas there have disappeared.
Lucas is returning from a calf injury and his ability to also play halfback means he
is custom-made for a bench role to back up Cooper or captain Will Genia.
Morahan is a fast, tall and strong prospect who Wallabies coach Robbie Deans
selected from left field for last year's Grand Slam tour on the back of his
electrifying sevens form and two appearances on the wing for the Reds.
McKenzie is still hopeful Hynes can return to action to play the Western Force on
March 14 at Suncorp Stadium.
"We will reassess it next week," he said.
"It could maybe be a little longer, but we've got a nine-day turnaround after the
Chiefs game.
"There is a bit of a casualty ward but these things happen when you're playing for
keeps.
"We do have good options. We've got a bunch of guys with Super Rugby experience
waiting in the background to get an opportunity."
Melbourne Storm NRL recruit Will Chambers is in the mix to make his first Super 14
run-on start on the wing, while Blair Connor and Brando Va'aulu are also in
contention to replace Davies.