Uncapped duo Kohan Herbert and Matt Brice have been rewarded with starting spots in the trial team named by the Queensland Reds for their opening hit-out in Japan.
Souths flanker Herbert and lanky winger Brice, from the Buildcorp Reds Academy, impressed during the month-long training block leading up to this tour.
Sunday’s match against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights will be a trial without fans at the 24,000-seat Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.
The closed-doors fixture will be played with extended benches to provide opportunities for the extra talent being blooded by both camps to repeat the tour formula when the clubs met in 2022 and 2023.
The match is a precursor to the full cap clash between the Reds and the leading Japanese club on November 4 when a crowd of more than 10,000 fans is expected.
The Reds trial team will be skippered by experienced lock Ryan Smith.
For Brice, the thrill of earning a start is significant.
“It’s awesome to get this chance, to be in Japan and know that giving 110 per cent to that training period has paid off,” Brice, 21, said.
“I was spotted in the Queensland Country pathway and been in the Academy for the past two seasons.”
Brice is from a small cattle property at Amamoor, outside Gympie, and played for the Noosa Dolphins before linking with the University of Queensland.
Herbert’s circuitous route to the Reds has taken seven years since he played for the Queensland Under-20s in 2017 with the likes of Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson.
His father’s Kiwi heritage smoothed the route into New Zealand rugby where he played for the NZ Under-19s and Bay of Plenty.
His outstanding 2024 season for Souths in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup has been recognised by his selection for the tour.
“I grew up in Queensland as a boy from Downlands College. I’ve worked really hard for a chance like this without knowing if it would ever happen.
“It’s kind of a full circle moment for me.”
Reds head coach Les Kiss is excited that Sunday’s trial offers chances against a different style of rugby for experienced and new players alike.
Trial Game
Sunday, October 27, 2pm AEST
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Japan
1 Sef Fa'agase
2 Richie Asiata
3 Massimo De Lutiis
4 Josh Canham
5 Ryan Smith (c)
6 Connor Vest
7 Kohan Herbert
8 Joe Brial
9 Louis Werchon
10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
11 Matt Brice
12 Dre Pakeho
13 Frankie Goldsbrough
14 Floyd Aubrey
15 Mason Gordon
Alex Hodgman
Matt Gibbon
Josh Nasser
George Blake
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Taine Roiri
Max Craig
Hamish Muller
Kalani Thomas
Will Cartwright
Tom Lynagh
Heremaia Murray
Shaun Anderson
Sebastian Hanna
