The Queensland Reds have locked in the next generation of Queensland Rugby talent, signing Junior Wallabies representatives Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Max Craig, Tim Ryan, John Bryant and Trevor King.
The group have progressed through the Queensland Rugby pathway with their respective clubs, schools and the Reds Academy, while McLaughlin-Phillips, Craig, Bryant and Ryan formed the nucleus of the Queensland U19s side in last year’s reinvigorated National U19s Championships.
All five featured heavily for the Australian side during this year’s U20 World Championships in South Africa and will join the Reds at Ballymore in 2024, with McLaughlin-Phillips part of the full-time squad.
Reds head coach Les Kiss said: “We’re extremely pleased to have signed Harry, Max, Tim, John and Trevor.
“All five have impressed us at club and representative level and we believe they have bright futures in the Queensland jersey.
“We’re looking forward to seeing them develop on and off the field as part of our squad at Ballymore.”
Brisbane Boys College product McLaughlin-Phillips was named the 2022 Queensland U20s Player of the Year, starring in his first year of Colts Rugby for Souths.
The 19-year-old flyhalf carried his form into the StoreLocal Hospital Cup for the Magpies in 2023, before featuring at both number-10 and fullback for the Junior Wallabies.
Hooker Craig, the son of Super W head coach Simon, joins him in the squad after progressing through the pathway with Anglican Church Grammar School and Easts Rugby Club.
Craig has scored 12 tries in eight games for the Tigers Premier Grade side, seeing him finish as the competition’s equal-second top try scorer despite missing a large portion of the season due to his national commitments.
A product of St Patrick’s Shorncliffe, Ryan’s blistering pace and nose for the try line saw him start in four of the Junior Wallabies five matches in South Africa, scoring two tries out wide.
The winger has continued that try scoring form for the Brethren, crossing the line 10 times in 10 matches in his first full year of Premier Grade Rugby.
Another Souths representative, Bryant is a barnstorming number-eight who trained with the Reds during the 2023 pre-season.
The 20-year-old attended St Laurence’s College and featured in four of Australia’s five matches of the U20s Championships this year.
18-year-old Trevor King rounds out the group, the prop representing the Junior Wallabies in just his first year out of school.
Hailing from Gladstone, King was educated at Downlands College in Toowoomba and has since followed former Reds and Wallaby lock Garrick Morgan to Souths.
King debuted in the Hospital Cup at 17-years-old, before coming off the bench on four occasions in South Africa.
McLaughlin-Phillips, Craig, Bryant, Ryan and King will be joined by fellow Junior Wallaby Massimo De Lutiis, who signed to return to his home state of Queensland earlier this week.
- Position: Flyhalf
- Height: 177cm
- Weight: 87kg
- DOB: 13/04/2004
- Place of Birth: Toowoomba, Queensland
- Senior Club: Souths
- School: Brisbane Boys College
- Junior Club: Gunnedah Red Devils
- Position: Hooker
- Height: 187cm
- Weight: 102kg
- DOB: 28/08/2003
- Place of birth: Brisbane
- Senior Club: Easts
- School: Anglican Church Grammar School
- Junior Club: Easts
- Position: Wing
- Height: 186cm
- Weight: 82kg
- DOB: 29/10/2003Place of birth: Brisbane, Queensland
- Senior Club: Brothers
- School: St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
- Position: Number-eight
- Height: 190cm
- Weight: 100kg
- DOB: 20/02/2003
- Place of birth: Brisbane, Queensland
- Senior Club: Souths
- School: St Laurence’s College
- Junior Club: Souths
- Position: Prop
- Height: 192cm
- Weight: 117kg
- DOB: 17/03/2005
- Place of birth: Lautoka, Fiji
- Senior Club: Souths
- School: Downlands College, Toowoomba
- Junior Club: Gladstone RUFC
