A side made up of Australian Rugby Union National Academy players will meet the Queensland Reds College XV in an exhibition clash at Ballymore Stadium this Thursday 13 February at 6:00pm.
Members of the both the Brisbane and Sydney National Academy bases will join forces to take on the Reds College, under the guidance of academy forwards coach Adrian Thompson.
For Thompson, the match offers an opportunity to Super Rugby coaches to see National Academy players compete in a high-intensity environment.
“It’s really an opportunity to bring the Academy guys together and put them on show for the Super Rugby teams,” Thompson said.
“All these games are an opportunity for them to see the players in action. Some of these kids are ready to go at Super Rugby level.”
The National Academy side for Thursday’s game features players with mixed experience from Australian Schoolboys and Australian Under-20s to Super Rugby level.
This is the second year of the Australian Rugby Union National Academy and Thompson said it has allowed continued development for Australia’s next crop of players.
“The National Academy has certainly given more players an opportunity,” Thompson said.
“We’re working with players who are ready for Super Rugby and others who we’re continuing to develop.”
Members of the National Academy will also feature in the Reds College line-up, with Andrew Ready, Sef Faagase, Alex Toolis and Chris Kuridrani all being called onto the bench for the home side.
ARU National Academy side to face Reds College XV
Name
Hometown
1
JP Smith
Wynnum West, QLD
2
Hugh Roach
Glebe, NSW
3
Kirwan Sanday
Canberra, ACT
4
Will Skelton
Auckland, NZ
5
Michael Stolberg
Carina Heights, QLD
6
Ted Postal
Boondal, QLD
7
Katoni Ale
Beacon Hill, NSW
8
Pete Samu
Maroubra, NSW
9
Jock Merriman
Boorowa, NSW
10
Jake McIntyre
Alstonville, NSW
11
Jamie Tualagi
Springfield Lakes, QLD
12
Apolosi Latunipulu
Miranda, NSW
13
Samu Kerevi
Northgate, QLD
14
Elijah Niko
Bellevue Hills, NSW
15
Brendan Hartmann
Manly, NSW
16
Mitchell Wade
Ashgrove, QLD
17
Michael Alaalatoa
Campsie, NSW
18
Allan Alaalatoa
Campsie, NSW
19
Steve Cummins
Seven Hills, NSW
20
Michael Wells
Turramurra, NSW
21
Waldo Wessels
Gymea, NSW
22
David Horwitz
Vaucluse, NSW
23
Jonah Placid
Rockhampton, QLD