Tyros Taione Taka and Kingsley Uys, both 18, are among eight debutants selected in the Queensland Reds side to play for the Saitama-Queensland Shield on Saturday afternoon in Japan.
Taka, who played for both Australia Under-18s and U20s earlier this season, will make his Reds debut on the wing against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at Kumagaya Stadium.
The 125kg Uys (pronounced Ace) will come off the bench at prop after impressing at scrum time in his 10-minute cameo against the Wild Knights in last weekend’s tune-up trial.
Halfback Cooper Stewart is the other debutant in the starting side for Match Two on the China Airlines Reds International Tour.
Off the bench, Uys, lock Will Ross, winger-fullback Nicholas Conway, halfback Mosiah Christian, utility Coby Miln and backrower Lachie Hooper are also set to win their first caps as Reds players.
The naming of the team is a significant tick for the Buildcorp Reds Academy and the preparation of players from the Queensland rugby pathways. Stewart, Taka, Uys, Ross and Conway have all had their skills and readiness polished by recent time in the Academy.
Saturday’s match will be the fifth edition of the annual Saitama-Queensland Shield clash against the Reds’ partner club in Japan.
The Reds have finished on top in the previous clashes in Japan (2022 and 2024) and Queensland (2023 and 2025) but have always been challenged in traditionally high-scoring games.
Queensland and Saitama share a sister state relationship and the rugby relationship stretches back to a match between the states in Kumagaya in 1991 when Michael Lynagh was Queensland captain.
The Reds have named their strongest possible tour side. Six players with Wallabies experience have been included under skipper and hooker Matt Faessler, who will become the 132nd captain of Queensland on Saturday.
Outside centre Izaia Perese and lock Cadeyrn Neville will kick-off the second stages of their Reds careers after returning to the club as new signings.
Off the bench, this will be a first sighting in the maroon jersey for new recruit Hooper, who is coming off a successful season for New Zealand side Northland.
Reds head Coach Vern Cotter said the tradition between the two sides added an extra level to Saturday’s match.
“It’s an important game for us on tour and a good chance for our debutants to make a mark beside our experienced players,” Cotter said.
“For example, Lachie Hooper developed with experience and game-time for Northland in the NPC in New Zealand this season. He tasted success with a Ranfurly Shield and reaching the NPC final.
“It will be good to get him started at the Reds.
“When I was considering the job at the Reds, one of the things I took note of was the strength of the pathways developing younger players in Queensland. We get to see some good players start their careers on Saturday.”
For Uys, he is delighted to have this chance.
“I’m super stoked to have this opportunity,” he said. “When I was rehabbing my knee earlier in the season, everything I did was looking forward to the possibility of getting a chance on this tour. It’s been a dream of mine."
Queensland Reds vs Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Japan
2pm AEST, Saturday, November 14
Queensland Reds
1 Aidan Ross - Bond University
2 Matt Faessler (c) - Brothers
3 Zane Nonggorr - Bond University
4 Charlie Brosnan - Brothers
5 Cadeyrn Neville - TBC
6 Joe Brial - University of Queensland
7 John Bryant - Souths
8 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers
9 Cooper Stewart - University of Queensland
10 Tom Lynagh - University of Queensland
11 Tim Ryan - Brothers
12 Dre Pakeho - Brothers
13 Izaia Perese - Easts
14 Taione Taka - Brothers
15 Lachie Anderson - University of Queensland
Reserves
16 George Blake - Bond University
17 Kingsley Uys - Bond University
18 Nick Bloomfield - Easts
19 Will Ross - Brothers
20 Lachlan Hooper - TBC
21 Mosiah Christian – Norths
22 Coby Miln - TBC
23 Nicholas Conway - Brothers
