The Vintage Reds XV and Tongan Invitational XV have both named their squads ahead of this Saturday night’s fundraising match for the UNICEF Australia Tongan Recovery Appeal.
Queensland coach Brad Thorn will make a surprise return from the bench for the Vintage Reds, while David Croft will captain the side from the backrow, with the likes of Chris Latham, Rod Davies and Berrick Barnes lining up in the backs.
The Reds forward pack features no less than four former Wallaby captains, with Stephen Moore, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill and Ben Mowen all set to pull on the boots at Suncorp Stadium.
For the Tongan side, Radike Samo, Trevor Leota and George Smith bring over 160 caps of international experience to the forward pack, while All Black star Hosea Gear and 2011 Super Rugby title winner Digby Ioane start on the wings.
Olympic flag bearer Pita Taufatofua will carry the Tongan flag onto the field, while the side will also perform a traditional war cry before kick-off.
The brother of current Reds prop Taniela Tupou, Criff Tupou, will come off the bench, as will cross-code star Lote Tuqiri.
Toutai Kefu will coach the side, although he may see late minutes off the bench.
Kefu said: “We’re really pleased with the talent both teams have been able to provide.
“There’s some legendary names in Queensland Rugby lacing up the boots for the first time in a long time, which just goes to show what a great cause we are raising money for.
“So many people in the Rugby community have been touched by the disaster in Tonga and I encourage everyone to donate what they can to the UNICEF Australia Tongan Recovery Appeal.”
The match will comprise of two 20-minute halves, with the fixture set to kick-off at 5pm before the Queensland Reds v Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Pacific clash.
Over $70,000 has already been raised by the Queensland Rugby community for the Appeal. Donations can be made via: https://tonga.unicef.org.au/t/qru.
Buy tickets to see the both the Vinatage Reds v Tongan Invitational XV clash and the Reds v Rebels fixture via: https://bit.ly/3HTfqjs. Note: the Charity Match will be broadcast in full on Stan Sport following full-time of the Reds match, with highlights set to be shown during the coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific fixture on Stan Sport and Nine Gem.
Vintage Reds XV v Tongan Invitational XV, Saturday 19 February, Suncorp Stadium, 5pm:
Vintage Reds XV
- Sean Hardman
- Stephen Moore
- Guy Shepardson
- James Horwill
- Nathan Sharpe
- Ben Mowen
- David Croft
- Scott Higginbotham
- Nick Frisby
- Berrick Barnes
- Rodney Davies
- Lachlan Turner
- Drew Mitchell
- Mike Harris
- Chris Latham
- Mark Chisolm
- Sam Cordingley
- Tim Aitkinson
- Tom McVery
- Dallan Murphy
- Tom Court
- Mark Connors
- Andrew Farley
- Adam Wallace-Harrison
- Ernest Skelton
- Nick Gregorski
- Mitch Chapman
- Pat Howard
- Brad Thorn
Staff
- Coach – Dan Herbert
- Manager – Bill Ross
- Assistant Coach/Water boy – Dan Crowley
- Assistant Coach/Water boy – Elton Flatley
- Assistant Coach/Water boy – Fletcher Dyson
- Doctor – John Roe
Tongan Invitational XV
- Tevita Mailau
- Trevor Leota
- David Feao
- Dan Leo
- Radike Samo
- Simana Halaifonua
- George Smith
- Lolo Fakaosilea
- Jacob Raulini
- Shane Drahm
- Hosea Gear
- Mafileo Kefu
- Lloyd Johansson
- Digby Ioane
- Andrew Walker
- Eddie Aholelei
- Salesi Manu
- Criff Tupou
- Paula Kaho
- Matt Mafi
- Richard Kingi
- Steve Kefu
- Pila Fifita
- Lote Tuquiri
- Aidan Toua
Staff
- Coach – Toutai Kefu
- Manager – Anthony Joseph
- Promoter & MC – Barry Lea
- Assistant Manager – Ben Cannon
- Assistant Coach – Moses Rauluni
- Assistant Coach – Anthony Fainga’a
- Assistant Coach – Tevita Koloi
- Water boy – Pita Tauatofua Jr
- Water boy – Peter Tautua
- Physio – Jeff Clarke
