The Queensland Reds will face the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at Ballymore on Saturday, October 25 in a match presented by Quest Kelvin Grove.
The valued relationship with the leading Japanese club will extend into a fourth edition with the Wild Knights to be based in Brisbane for 12 days for the full cap fixture plus a warm-up game.
The clubs will play for the Saitama Queensland Shield which extends beyond rugby to represent the 41 years since the sister state relationship was forged between Queensland and Saitama.
The Reds have held the Shield since its inception with wins at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in 2022 (55-30) and 2024 (42-28) plus the tight 31-29 success when the Wild Knights visited Ballymore in 2023.
All have been attractive, try-filled spectacles for the fans while the matches have been a lift-off for many careers in the maroon and Wild Knights jerseys.
The matches have provided Queensland debuts for the likes of Louis Werchon (2022), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (2023), Max Craig (2023), John Bryant (2023), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (2023), Tim Ryan (2023), Massimo De Lutiis (2023), Heremaia Murray (2024) and Frankie Goldsbrough (2024).
The clash against the Wild Knights has become a regular feature of the Reds International Program which helps develop players beyond just the Super Rugby Pacific season.
“Over the past few seasons, we have developed a number of players through these annual games,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“The cultural experience is important for us because rugby has that. We can go around the world playing this game and exposing our players to different styles of rugby.
“My first game as Reds coach was against the Wild Knights (in November 2023) when the result was only settled in the final minutes.
“This is another fantastic opportunity for our club, the Reds, to meet a great club like the Wild Knights so we don’t take these matches lightly.
“We really appreciate and treasure this relationship and want it to continue for years to come.”
In the three games against the Reds to date, the Wild Knights have been coached by Robbie Deans, the former Wallabies coach who understands the widespread benefits of these matches.
“These international relationships mean a great deal to rugby. They make it the unique game it is,” Deans said.
“For the players, these are the experiences of rugby. You find out a lot about each other on tour.
“The relationship between the Wild Knights and Reds means something. It has history to it now. The games are full of players ambitious to be part of the future at each club and this year will be no different.”
Sam Cordingley, the Queensland Rugby Union's General Manager-Professional Rugby, said the history being established is respected by both clubs.
"We are looking forward to again hosting the Wild Knights. We are building a strong history with this being the fourth year of our partnership. The connection will continue to grow through our Saitama Queensland Shield fixture," Cordingley said.
