Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss has confirmed his side to take on the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in this Saturday’s Queensland-Saitama Shield fixture at Ballymore.
The side features 11 potential debutants, while playmaker Lawson Creighton will captain his state for the first time in what is the first capped match at the spiritual home of Queensland Rugby in over a decade.
10 players with Super Rugby experience will start the match for the Reds, bringing over 400 caps of professional Rugby experience to Ballymore on Saturday afternoon.
Kiss said: “Congratulations to all players selected to represent the Reds this Saturday afternoon. It’s going to be a spectacle at the traditional home of Queensland Rugby.
“We got a taste of what the Wild Knights bring in a closed tour match over the weekend and we’re anticipating another tough contest full of physicality and flair on Saturday.
“A special mention to the 11 men who will potentially make their Queensland debuts this weekend. It’s awesome to see so many players from club Rugby earn an opportunity with the Reds.
“It’s a huge occasion for them and their families and all the more memorable to do it at Ballymore.”
Sef Fa’agase and former All Black and Samoan international Jeffery Toomaga-Allen make for an experienced prop pairing, while Max Craig will make his Queensland debut at hooker.
Irish product Cormac Daly will feature for Queensland for the first time at lock, while Seru Uru and Harry Wilson both return from Australia A and Barbarians duties at lock and number-eight respectively.
Connor Anderson and debutant John Byrant round out the forward pack in the backrow. Bryant’s Souths teammate and fellow debutant Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will partner Kalani Thomas in the halves, while Creighton and Josh Flook will start in the centres.
Jock Campbell will start at fullback in what is his first game since the Super Rugby Pacific season, while Brothers flyer Tim Ryan will debut alongside Mac Grealy on the wings.
Four StoreLocal Hospital Cup products – Moli Sooaemalagi, Chris Minimbi, Lachlan Connors and Shaun Anderson – will potentially make their debuts off the bench alongside new recruit Massimo de Lutiis.
Tickets are still available for the match via https://bit.ly/47mpsGf, with the game streamed live via Stan Sport and the Queensland Reds YouTube
- Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank
- Max Craig* – Easts
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen* – Norths
- Seru Uru – Wests
- Cormac Daly* – TBC
- Connor Anderson – Wests
- John Bryant* – Souths
- Harry Wilson – Brothers
- Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips* – Souths
- Mac Grealy – University of Queensland
- Lawson Creighton (c) – Brothers
- Josh Flook – Brothers
- Tim Ryan* – Brothers
- Jock Campbell – University of Queensland
- Moli Sooaemalagi** – Bond University
- George Blake – Bond University
- Massimo de Lutiis** – Easts
- Chris Minimbi** – University of Queensland
- Lachlan Connors** – Bond University
- Louis Werchon – Wests
- Shaun Anderson** – GPS
- Floyd Aubrey – GPS
*denotes Queensland debut
**denotes potential Queensland debut
