The return of powerful prop Massimo De Lutiis adds a fresh dimension to the Queensland Reds pack for Saturday night’s clash against the Western Force in Perth.
De Lutiis, 22, has been selected for his first outing of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season after a strong return via club rugby.
De Lutiis has sharpened his match fitness and game skills with three club outings for Wests in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup since returning from a hamstring injury.
De Lutiis was last month re-signed on a three-year deal by the Reds and Rugby Australia through 2029.
“Playing club footy has helped my match fitness and sharpened my anticipation and reading of play by getting back into the swing of games,” De Lutiis said.
“I’ve packed a decent amount of scrums as well. I’m really excited to get the call up. It means a lot.”
For this game, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson steps up as skipper with non-stop flanker Fraser McReight having a regeneration week. John Bryant comes in as the new flanker.
Elsewhere in the pack, Hamish Muller is in line for his first game as a Super Rugby starter after nine appearances off the bench this season. He comes in for Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who will stay in Brisbane for the impending birth of his third child.
Wallaby Carter Gordon and Louis Werchon are the starting halves pairing, Isaac Henry will start at outside centre and Tim Ryan is returning on the wing.
On the bench, Brothers lock Charlie Brosnan has been selected for a likely Super Rugby debut.
“Massimo has earned his call-up over the past few weeks with the way he’s found his rhythm through club footy,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“He’ll make our scrum even more powerful. It’s a credit to our depth at tighthead where Zane Nonggorr and Nick Bloomfield have been performing this season.
“Lukhan was keen to play in Perth. With the imminent birth of his third child, we thought he should be around his family for that reason and it's also the ideal chance for him to have a regeneration week after his workload.
“’Mull’ has been a strong replacement for the pack all season and deserves this chance. Charlie has been playing some excellent club rugby for Brothers and he has this opportunity for a first Super Rugby cap off the bench.
"John Bryant has been outstanding for Souths in the Hospital Cup. He knows the role he needs to play as a No.7.
Kiss said regeneration weeks for centre Josh Flook and winger Filipo Daugunu were well covered by the depth in the squad.
“Isaac was very impressive in four games for us earlier in the season and Tim returns fresh from his own regeneration week,” Kiss said.
“Carter (Gordon) is back in the starting team. He came on from the bench against the Chiefs and showed his qualities.”
Fullback Jock Campbell will hit a milestone on Saturday night by playing his 100th Super Rugby game.
Kiss is well aware of the form of the Force.
“The Force have had some very impressive victories and the Reds have a history of tough, tight matches against them in Perth,” Kiss said.
“We had some impressive parts to our game against the Chiefs last round and we've kept pushing for improvements this week. We are looking forward to taking on the Force this Saturday night."
Saturday, May 16
HBF Park
7:35pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport
1 George Blake - Bond University - The Southport School - Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
2 Josh Nasser - University of Queensland - St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace - Easts
3 Massimo De Lutiis - Wests – The Southport School – Surfers Paradise Dolphins
4 Hamish Muller - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
5 Seru Uru - Easts - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
6 Joe Brial - University of Queensland - Scots College - Easts, Sydney
7 John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
8 Harry Wilson (c)- Brothers - St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace - Gunnedah Red Devils
9 Louis Werchon - Wests - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Maroochydore Swans
10 Carter Gordon - Wests - Brisbane Boys' College – Wests
11 Lachie Anderson - University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney - Dural RC, Sydney
12 Hunter Paisami - Wests - Mangere College, Auckland - Manukau Rovers
13 Isaac Henry - Wests - Brisbane Boys' College - Kenmore Bears
14 Tim Ryan - Brothers - St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
15 Jock Campbell - University of Queensland - The Southport School - Inverell Highlanders
16 Matt Faessler - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
18 Zane Nonggorr - Bond University - The Southport School - Gold Coast Eagles
19 Charlie Brosnan* – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School - Brothers
20 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers - St Peters Lutheran College - Pine Rivers Pumas
21 Kalani Thomas - Souths - Ipswich Grammar - Souths
22 Ben Volavola - Sunnybank - Newington College - Seaforth Raiders, Sydney
23 Treyvon Pritchard - Brothers - Anglican Church Grammar School - Springfield Hawks
*Potential Super Rugby Pacific debut
