China Airlines, a leading Taiwan-based carrier, is to be the presenting partner for the Queensland Reds’ landmark four-game tour of Japan and Italy.
Today's exciting announcement of all tour dates locks in matches against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at Ota City Sports Park Stadium (November 7) and Kumagaya Stadium (November 14).
The Japanese leg of the tour will continue the fruitful relationship with the Wild Knights, partners in an annual two-game exchange since 2022.
The Reds will then fly to Italy for matches against an Italy XV (November 20) and Benetton Rugby (November 27).
Both matches in Italy will be played in Treviso at Stadio Monigo, the atmospheric 5000-seat home ground of partner Benetton Rugby.
The Reds will be making their first tour to Italy since 1980 under new Head Coach Vern Cotter and his assistants Zane Hilton, Peter Hewat and Craig McGrath.
The Queensland Rugby Union is delighted that this progressive tour will provide Reds players with an expanded international pathway to develop their skills and adaptability.
It will be a vital building block for Cotter in the lead-up to the 2027 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season.
“The key shift will be getting more physical and creating that word ‘edge’. You’ve got to have fun too so you have to make sure you enjoy the contest and embrace the difficulty of it,” Cotter said.
“The tour gives me time to get comfortable with this group of players and to get to know a great coaching staff.”
China Airlines is offering up to 13 per cent off flights to follow the tour in November. The sale period runs until September 18.
China Airlines currently operates five weekly flights from Brisbane (six from October 25) that offer convenient connections to 10 cities across Japan. Not only can you enjoy the Reds' games, outside Tokyo, but you can also explore multiple destinations throughout Japan and take advantage of the flexibility to fly into one city and return from another.
The airline also offers convenient connections between Brisbane and major European destinations, including Rome, London, Prague, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Vienna.
The partnership flows on from a successful first-time collaboration last October when China Airlines was the presenting partner when the Wild Knights played the Reds at Ballymore Stadium.
