Tim Ryan and Seru Uru have been selected in the Queensland Reds starting side for Saturday night’s massive clash against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
In-form winger Ryan returns after a game off under time management-and-rotation protocols.
He replaces Lachie Anderson, who has started his recovery from a serious wrist injury sustained against the ACT Brumbies last weekend.
The experienced Uru will step up at lock for his first starting assignment of 2026 in place of the unavailable Josh Canham.
On the bench, the industrious Hamish Muller returns as lock-backrow cover for this Round Five clash in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
These are the only changes from the Reds side which won a last-play thriller against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra last weekend.
Flyhalf Carter Gordon will have his first taste of rugby’s longest-standing rivalry when he plays his first interstate game against the Waratahs in a Reds jersey.
“Lots of hard work across the whole team got us in position for that result in Canberra and we’ve been back doing the same at training this week,” Gordon said.
“We’ve still got things to fix and work on for a big week against the Waratahs.
“I’m excited, the boys are excited, for this game. We’ve played them twice this year and we get another crack at them here.
“We’ve had great crowds at Suncorp Stadium when we have played the Waratahs over the past few years. We’re looking forward to our home crowd getting behind us again.
“We’ve had two good results (against the Highlanders and Brumbies) and we want to keep building on that.”
The Queensland Rugby Union is urging fans to make this the best supported Australian derby of the 2026 season by surpassing the 16,655 attendance when the teams met in Sydney in Round One. Topping last year's crowd of 20,072 fans for the corresponding game at Suncorp Stadium is the target.
Replacement hooker Richie Asiata will earn his 50th Queensland cap on Saturday after making his debut against the Waratahs in 2021.
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said hometown support always added extra volume to interstate matches.
“We know how much our fans enjoy the Reds vs Waratahs rivalry and it will be great to see a big turnout,” Kiss said.
“It’s no different for our players. This is a day on the calendar we look forward to.
“The Waratahs have got the better of us on the two occasions we have played them this season. We know the threats they will bring to the game. We have to be thorough in our preparation.”
Saturday, March 14
Suncorp Stadium
6:35pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport
1 Aidan Ross - Bond University - Otumoetai College, NZ - Te Puke Sports
2 Josh Nasser - University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts
3 Zane Nonggorr - Bond University - The Southport School - Gold Coast Eagles
4 Seru Uru - Easts - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Souths - John Edmondson HS, Sydney - Southern Districts, Sydney
6 Joe Brial - University of Queensland - Scots College - Easts, Sydney
7 Fraser McReight (c) - Brothers - Brisbane Grammar - Albany Creek Brumbies
8 Harry Wilson - Brothers - St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace - Gunnedah Red Devils
9 Louis Werchon - Wests - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Maroochydore Swans
10 Carter Gordon - Wests - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Wests
11 Tim Ryan - Brothers - St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12 Isaac Henry - Wests - Brisbane Boys' College - Kenmore Bears
13 Josh Flook - Brothers - Nudgee College - Brothers
14 Filipo Daugunu - Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
15 Jock Campbell - University of Queensland - The Southport School - Inverell Highlanders
16 Richie Asiata - Sunnybank - Anglican Church Grammar School
17 George Blake - Bond University - The Southport School - Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
19 Hamish Muller - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
20 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers - St Peters Lutheran College - Pine Rivers Pumas
21 Kalani Thomas - Souths - Ipswich Grammar - Souths
22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Wests - Brisbane Boys’ College - Gunnedah Red Devils
23 Treyvon Pritchard - Brothers - Anglican Church Grammar School – Springfield Hawks
