A full complement of six World Cup Wallabies has been selected for the Queensland Reds’ opening trial against the Western Force at Ballymore on Saturday afternoon.
The strong core for the first trial reflects both the early return of the Wallabies to training before Christmas and the eagerness of new coach Les Kiss to get his game plan grooved for the kick-off to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Jordan Petaia (fullback), Suliasi Vunivalu (Wing), Tate McDermott (halfback), Fraser McReight (flanker), Matt Faessler (hooker) and Zane Nonggorr (prop) have been selected to start in the 3pm trial.
The six Reds were all involved in Australia’s World Cup campaign in France last year. “It’s an exciting time for players and coaches with this first chance to show our wares after all that’s been done in pre-season,” Kiss said.
“There are definitely new things in place. The buy-in has been excellent and we plan to give all our players a fair crack in this trial or the one that follows against the NSW Waratahs at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma on February 10.
“I’m really pleased with how our World Cup Wallabies have come back into the squad. They did so before Christmas for a three-week block. Ever since it has been obvious what they add with experience and how they blend with the rest of the squad.”
Kiss has named 35 players for the trial, with an extended bench, which reflects the opportunities for players to push for selection ahead of the blockbuster Super Rugby Pacific opener against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on February 24.
Irish lock recruit Cormac Daly will start against the Force. He has built on an encouraging initiation for the Reds against the Saitama-Panasonic Wild Knights last November with fitness and skills gains after being part of Randwick’s Shute Shield premiership in Sydney last year.
Lawson Creighton will start at flyhalf in one of the team’s most competitive positions.
Tom Lynagh, one of 2023’s most impressive Reds debutants, was not considered for this game but is expected to play minutes against the Waratahs in Roma now he has returned to training after a back niggle.
Junior Wallaby Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 19, will also see time at No.10 during the trials.
Former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman will play his first minutes for the Reds off the bench.
Teenager Charlie Brosnan, a raw-boned No.8-lock at 19, has been included on the extended bench from the Buildcorp Reds Academy. The country product from Thallon is a Churchie product as is young centre Frankie Goldsbrough.
James O’Connor (hamstring), Angus Blyth (knee), Massimo De Lutiis (hamstring) and Connor Anderson (ankle) were not considered for selection because of injury.
O’Connor will be sidelined for both trials.
Reds co-captain McDermott has sensed the excitement around the lift-off to the new season at Ballymore.
“There’s a lot I’ve enjoyed already working with Les...his composure, the way he sees the game and the positivity around how we want to attack,” McDermott said.
“It’s good to see the team in such good hands so we can build on the foundations of recent seasons. I’m excited to see where this team can go.”
- Sef Fa’agase
- Matt Faessler
- Zane Nonggorr
- Seru Uru
- Cormac Daly
- Liam Wright (co-capt)
- Fraser McReight
- Harry Wilson
- Tate McDermott (co-capt)
- Lawson Creighton
- Floyd Aubrey
- Hunter Paisami
- Josh Flook
- Suliasi Vunivalu
- Jordan Petaia
Reserves:
George Blake
Alex Hodgman
Peni Ravai
Connor Vest
Taine Roiri
Kalani Thomas
Isaac Henry
Mac Grealy
Bagiuo Johnson-Tiumalu
Joe Brial
John Bryant
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Moli Sooaemalagi
Charlie Brosnan
Louis Werchon
Tim Ryan
Willem Johnstone
Frankie Goldsbrough
Jarrod Homan
Jock Campbell
