Newly-appointed Reds Head Coach Vern Cotter expressed excitement at the future of Queensland Rugby after naming his first squad for tours of Japan and Italy.
Young guns Nicholas Conway and Taione Taka are among the rising stars to play in the first match of the tour against Panasonic Wild Knight on November 7.
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Rugby Australia Men’s Rookie of the Year Treyvon Pritchard has also been named in the touring squad and is set to make his highly-anticipated return from an ankle injury sustained during World Rugby U20 Championships.
“Nick Conway has come back and I’ve been really impressed,” Cotter said. “You’ve got Treyvon Pritchard as well, you’ve got some really good players.
”Tai Taka is another talent that we are looking forward to seeing on the paddock against some experienced players.”
Lachlan Hooper, 22, is another member of the Reds’ youth brigade looking to impress on tour.
Hooper signed with Queensland in the off-season and could reunite with his brother, Wallaby No. 964 Tom Hooper, when the latter returns to Australia in 2028 to join the Reds.
Cotter believes Hooper’s recent stint in New Zealand’s NPC with Northland had provided valuable experience given “game time was reasonably tough, and he did well.”
The Reds coaching staff have given opportunities to a wider playing group for the tour of Japan and Italy with 12 top-line players currently on duty with the Wallabies at the Nations Championships.
In addition to the Reds’ youth brigade, Cotter has called in new recruits Izaia Perese and Caedyrn Neville to provide valuable professional experience to the squad along with Wallabies Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Lynagh and Aidan Ross.
“Cadeyrn is at the other end. These young guys are starting their career, he’s getting towards the end so his experience and passing on his knowledge and reassuring younger players in a foreign environment is really important.” Cotter remarked.
The Reds kick off their tour with two matches against Mark Nawaqanitawase’s Panasonic Wild Knights in Ota City on November 7 and 14.
Queensland will then venture to Italy to take on Italy XV and Benetton Rugby in Treviso on November 20 and 27.
1 George Blake - Bond University
2 Zac Hough - University of Queensland
3 Trevor King - Souths
4 Charlie Brosnan - Brothers
5 Cadeyrn Neville - TBC
6 Tom Robinson - University of Queensland
7 John Bryant (c) - Souths
8 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers
9 Cooper Stewart - University of Queensland
10 Tom Lynagh - University of Queensland
11 Nicholas Conway - Brothers
12 Dre Pakeho - Brothers
13 Izaia Perese - Easts
14 Taione Taka - Brothers
15 Coby Miln - TBC
Reserves
16 Matt Faessler - Brothers
17 Aidan Ross - Bond University
18 Nick Bloomfield - Easts
19 Zane Nonggorr - Bond University
20 Harrison Usher - Bond University
21 Will Ross - Brothers
22 Toby Brial - TBC
23 Joe Brial - University of Queensland
24 Mosiah Christian – Norths
25 Josh Takai - Brothers
26 Xavier Rubens - Souths
27 Lachie Anderson - University of Queensland
28 Tim Ryan - Brothers
