Ahead of the Wallabies clash with Japan, the Queensland Reds have named their team as they play their final match of the 2025 season in the second clash against the Panasonic Wild Knights at Ballymore.
The match will serve as a perfect afternoon to bookend the Queensland season, with the Reds and Brumbies U16s sides serving as a curtain raiser, before a watch party as the Wallabies take on Japan.
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Following the Reds commanding 59-19 victory in Toowoomba, an uncapped clash, much praise has been delivered by both sides as to the young talent on display for the home outfit, especially Finn Mackay and Treyvon Pritchard.
However, this weekend will see Pritchard handed a capped Reds debut in the starting side, with Vaiuta Latu also set to join him after three Super Rugby AUS clashes. Mackay will his impact off the bench.
Australia A trio Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Seru Uru, and Lachie Anderson will also be among the players back into the side, as the Reds look to go four-in-a-row against the Robbie Deans’ coached side and retain the Saitama Queensland Shield.
“I was really pleased with how he attacked the game as he saw it,” head coach Les Kiss said of Pritchard to reporters at Ballymore on Thursday.
“I also thought the same with Finn. I think between the two of them, they didn't get caught up with the structure and the plays.
“They played the pitches that they saw and I thought that was refreshing. Both of them certainly earned their jersey this week, that's for sure.
“[Latu] He's gone from strength to strength. At the beginning of the year he worked through the hard stuff but the hard stuff's been worth it and we're seeing it now. He's a naturally intelligent footballer.
“He understands space and timing and all those things but works very well with his teammates around him.”
The Reds will come into the Super Rugby season with a lot of talent at their disposal, but Kiss is excited to give the new blood unearthed in the pathways and Super Rugby AUS a taste of what awaits them next year.
“Every time we've demanded more they've actually aimed up which is fantastic,” Kiss added.
“That competition [Super Rugby AUS] is important.
“We've got some good options. If we do hit a bit of doom in that area for some injuries we know we've got guys that are that deep which is really pleasing.”
Speaking to the media, former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has noticed the shift in Australian rugby over the last few months, plus the good options available to Joe Schmidt’s side.
While currently down the ranks, 63-capped Marika Koroibete is set to line up for the visitors on the wing, with Deans believing he’ll be keen to return to the arena if given the opportunity.
“I think there's a real enthusiasm around the game at the moment, we've just come back from Toowoomba on the weekend, and you just feel there's an energy,” Deans said.
“You look at what the Reds are doing, they're producing the next generation, saw a couple of them get their first taste and thrive, that's a great indicator, those things don't happen by chance.
“That's off the back of a lot of work that's gone on in the background, so I think the signs are great, and obviously there's a lot of good opportunities to come.
“I'm sure he'd be keen if he got the call, Marika's always hungry.
“He's great for us, he's a bloke who inspires, and he's got a great history, but there's now a queue there, there's lots of good wingers in Australia, and how Les handles those decisions will be interesting.”
After the game, the two sides will take the time to relax and watch the Wallabies and Japan, with Ballymore set to become a watch party on the big screen.
“I was just talking with Robbie then [about post-match],” Kiss smiled.
“Post-match we've got a big screen there that the fans can come along and enjoy watching the Wallabies up against Japan. That's going to be fantastic in its own right.
“As we enjoy a feed and a couple of beers with the Wild Knights, we'll be watching it as well.”
Queensland Reds
1 George Blake - Bond University
2 Theo Fourie - Brothers
3 Nick Bloomfield - Easts
4 Charlie Brosnan - Brothers
5 Hamish Muller - Brothers
6 Seru Uru (cc) - Souths
7 Kohan Herbert - Souths
8 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers
9 James Martens - GPS
10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Wests
11 Xavier Rubens - Souths
12 Dre Pakeho - Brothers
13 Isaac Henry (cc) - Wests
14 Lachie Anderson - University of Queensland
15 Treyvon Pritchard - Anglican Church Grammar School
Replacements
16 Max Craig - Easts
17 Harrison Usher - Bond University
18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths
19 Jack Brady - University of Queensland
20 Zac Hough - University of Queensland
21 Graham Urquhart - Brothers
22 Finn Mackay - Souths
23 Heremaia Murray - Bond University
