Australian Under-18s captain Tom Robinson and Junior Wallabies halfback James Martens are amongst an exciting group of eight potential debutants for the Queensland Reds in Friday’s clash against Tonga.
Flanker Robinson, 19, was today named in the starting side for the tour match in Nuku’alofa where the physical Tongans are tuning up for Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
Martens, 19, is one of a further seven players on the bench hungry to run on at Teufaiva Sports Stadium to compete in the Queensland jersey for the first time.
WATCH QUEENSLAND REDS V TONGA LIVE FROM NUKU'ALOFA FROM 12PM AEST
The others are Souths prop Trevor King, Norths prop Ollie Harris, Brothers backrower Charlie Brosnan, Souths centre Xavier Rubens, Brothers hooker Theo Fourie and Norths winger-fullback Will McCulloch.
Fourie, the Rockhampton Grammar product who earned his Super Rugby break with the Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs, is reserve hooker after his positive season with Brothers.
Robinson, at 1.89m and 99kg, has impressed with his physical willingness and the technical detail to be able to play all three backrow positions.
Like Martens, King, Brosnan and Rubens, he has benefitted from being part of the Buildcorp Reds Academy at Ballymore.
“It’s definitely made a big difference training against the Reds squad this season. Each level you go up, it forces you to lift your skills in a stronger and faster environment,” Robinson said.
“There has also been the chance to learn this year from senior players like Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Ryan Smith and Liam Wright, who answered any questions I had.
“It’s pretty surreal to now be travelling with the Reds top team.”
The University of Queensland forward skippered the Australian U18s to a droughtbreaking victory over New Zealand Schools in Hamilton last October.
He is the son of former Wallaby Brett Robinson, who played for the Reds (17 games) and ACT Brumbies and is now the Chair of World Rugby.
Martens has been a standout for the GPS club in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup. He has quickly built a reputation for creative play and a sure pass, two traits he took to the Junior Wallabies at the recent World Rugby Under-20 Championships in Italy.
“Playing first grade this season has really helped me control games a lot better. In the Academy, that work on improving my fundamentals with passing, kicking and the technical stuff is paying off,” Martens said.
“I knew there was a possible chance in Tonga so I had to keep working hard for it.”
Playing halfback is in the blood for the son of former Sharks and Springboks halfback Hentie Martens.
“Mentally, I always see space and opportunities on the field. That’s always something dad has helped me with in terms of when to quick tap or why you might do things,” Martens added.
The Reds starting side includes 14 players with Super Rugby Pacific experience under captain and fullback Jock Campbell.
“Playing against Tonga is a wonderful opportunity both for our seasoned players and for our young players earning their first cap,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“We know what the Tongans will bring in terms of power and intent because they’ve chosen the Reds as final preparation for their World Cup qualifiers.
“Senior players like Jock Campbell, Sef Fa’agase, Seru Uru, Kalani Thomas, Josh Canham and Lachie Anderson will be very important for us.
“We have some exciting young players stepping up.
“James Martens went away with the Australia U20s. We are keen to see how he goes.
“Trevor King has had three years in the Australian U20s. Prop is a position where we always want to build depth and he has the potential to be a force for us for years to come.
“’Robbo’ has versatile skills. He’s impressed through the year and he’ll play No.7 for us.
"We brought 26 players in our travelling squad and everyone has been involved in preparing this team. We're delighted to give new backline signing Nick Conway and hooker Zac Hough an up-close taste of the Reds as non-playing reserves."
The tour is part of the ongoing support of Tongan rugby by the Australian Government, Rugby Australia, and the Reds through the PacificAus Sports-funded Australia-Pacific Rugby Union Partnership (APRUP).
Friday, August 15
Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nuku'alofa
12pm AEST
1. Sef Fa’agase - Sunnybank - Shailer Park State High - Beaudesert Warriors
2. George Blake - Bond University - The Southport School - Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
3. Nick Bloomfield - Easts - Anglican Church Grammar School - Easts
4. Connor Vest - Souths - Grafton High School - Grafton Junior RC
5. Josh Canham - Bond University - Brighton Grammar, Melb - Harlequins RC, Melb
6. Seru Uru - Souths - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
7. Tom Robinson* - University of Queensland - St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace - Bulimba Riverside RC
8. Joe Brial - University of Queensland - Scots College - Easts, Sydney
9. Kalani Thomas - University of Queensland - Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Wests - Brisbane Boys’ College - Gunnedah Red Devils
11. Tim Ryan - Brothers - St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12. Dre Pakeho - Brothers - Anglican Church Grammar School - Pine Rivers Pumas
13. Isaac Henry - Wests - Brisbane Boys' College - Kenmore Bears
14. Lachie Anderson - University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney - Dural RC, Sydney
15. Jock Campbell - University of Queensland, capt - The Southport School - Inverell Highlanders
Reserves:
16. Theo Fourie** - Brothers - Rockhampton Grammar - Rockhampton Brothers RC
17. Ollie Harris** - Norths - Villanova College - Tanglin RC, Singapore
18. Trevor King** - Souths - Downlands College - Gladstone Goats
19. Charlie Brosnan** - Brothers - Anglican Church Grammar School - Brothers
20. Hamish Muller - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
21. James Martens** - GPS - Brisbane Boys' College - Wests
22. Xavier Rubens** - Souths - Brisbane Boys' College - West Houston Lions, USA
23. Will McCulloch** - Norths - Padua College - Norths
*Reds Debut
**Potential Reds Debut
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative creating opportunities for Pacific athletes, conuaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket, tennis, basketball, and Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports.
PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’. The high performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific.
For more information about PacificAus Sports and its activities, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.
