Schoolboy Treyvon Pritchard has been selected at fullback to make his Queensland Reds debut on Saturday against Japan's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at Ballymore Stadium.
At 18, Pritchard's education on the rugby field will step up a notch in his final weeks of Year 12 at Anglican Church Grammar School.
His composed 80-minute display in last weekend's 59-19 win over the Wild Knights in the uncapped game in Toowoomba has earned this chance.
The annual match for the Saitama Queensland Shield will kick-off at 1:30pm AEST followed by a Watch Party on the field from 3:50pm to view the Wallabies vs Japan Test from Tokyo on a giant screen.
The Reds welcome back Australia A trio Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Seru Uru, and Lachie Anderson as additions to the side which played in Toowoomba.
Saturday's match will also be the Reds debut for Vaiuta Latu. The 119kg backrower has made an impressive impact in three Super Rugby AUS games and in Toowoomba to deserve this start.
On the bench, lock Jack Brady, hooker-flanker Zac Hough, halfback Graham Urquhart, prop Harrison Usher and flyhalf Finn Mackay are also in line for debuts should they hit the field.
"It's great to welcome back some experienced guys to blend with the youth," Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
"We have entrusted the captaincy to the experienced hands of Seru Uru and Isaac Henry.
"Harry will lead us around the field from flyhalf. He'll form a halves pairing with James Martens, another attack-minded player.
"We are expecting a different game to Toowoomba, a fierce contest as has been the pattern since the Reds and Wild Knights began these annual games in 2022.
"It excites us that this game at our home at Ballymore will be the setting for Reds debuts for Treyvon, Vaiuta and others.
"It deepens the value of these games even more when you see the players who have played their debut game for the Reds against the Wild Knights."
Saturday will continue the positive trend of Reds vs Wild Knights matches providing a lift-off to promising careers.
The likes of Louis Werchon (2022), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (2023), John Bryant (2023), McLaughlin-Phillips (2023), Tim Ryan (2023), Massimo De Lutiis (2023), Heremaia Murray (2024) and Frankie Goldsbrough (2024) have made their Reds debut in the corresponding game in previous years.
Queensland and Saitama share a sister state relationship stretching back more than 40 years.
"The relationship we have built with the Wild Knights is strong and extends off the field with the staff of both clubs spending time together," Kiss added.
"Touring to Kumagaya to play the Wild Knights last year was one of those great experiences that rugby offers. We hope the Wild Knights get as much out of their trip to Queensland this month."
Saturday will open with the Reds playing the ACT Brumbies from 10am in a Super Rugby Under-16s match.
A Friendship Matsuri will also be staged at Ballymore before the Reds vs Wild Knights game. Fans can enjoy free entry to performances, sample street food, visit craft stalls and enjoy player appearances before the ticketed match kicks off at 1:30pm.
QUEENSLAND REDS vs SAITAMA PANASONIC WILD KNIGHTS
Ballymore Stadium
1:30pm AEST Saturday, October 25
Live on Stan Sport and rugby.com.au
Queensland Reds
1 George Blake - Bond University
2 Theo Fourie - Brothers
3 Nick Bloomfield - Easts
4 Charlie Brosnan - Brothers
5 Hamish Muller - Brothers
6 Seru Uru (cc) - Souths
7 Kohan Herbert - Souths
8 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers
9 James Martens - GPS
10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Wests
11 Xavier Rubens - Souths
12 Dre Pakeho - Brothers
13 Isaac Henry (cc) - Wests
14 Lachie Anderson - University of Queensland
15 Treyvon Pritchard - Anglican Church Grammar School
Replacements
16 Max Craig - Easts
17 Harrison Usher - Bond University
18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths
19 Jack Brady - University of Queensland
20 Zac Hough - University of Queensland
21 Graham Urquhart - Brothers
22 Finn Mackay - Souths
23 Heremaia Murray - Bond University
