Reds back two 21-year-old ‘power’ forwards for Brumbies clash

Queensland Reds coach Vern Cotter has brought two 21-year-old forwards into the run-on side this week, hoping prop Trevor King and backrower Vaiuta Latu can “bring a bit of power” in the regular season finale against the ACT Brumbies.

The Reds are looking to end the 2026 Super Rugby AUS campaign on a positive note, as they take on another side searching for a drought-breaking win. Both the Reds and Brumbies are 0-2 after defeats to the Western Force and NSW Waratahs.

Easts centre Jake Pappin starts at No. 12, while former Flying Fijians playmaker Ben Volavola will line up at fullback. They are the changes to an otherwise fairly familiar backline, which includes Tom Lynagh at fly-half and Tim Ryan on one wing.

In the forwards, King will pack down at tighthead prop and Latu starts at No. 8. Queensland are looking to bounce back from a 47-19 defeat to the Waratahs at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma, with the team showing plenty of “character” in the final 25 minutes.

“It was not our best performance by far. There were opportunities created as always but we’ve got to finish them. We missed kicks to the corner and there were little inaccuracies,” Cotter said.

“I was pleased with the character to come back to score three tries (in the final 25 minutes).

“We’ve had a good, honest review. We feel Trevor and Vaiuta will bring a bit of power to our game which we’ve been lacking a bit.

“As to the festival in Roma, I thoroughly enjoyed it and all the players did as well through the contact with the people, the spirit around the competition, the day of rugby and all the various teams.

George Blake has been selected at loosehead prop, joining Wallabies rake Matt Faessler at King in the front-row. Brothers Rugby duo Will Ross and Charlie Brosnan round out the tight five as the starting locks once again.

Joe Brial and John Bryant are the two flankers, joined by Latu in the loose forwards. In the backs, capped Wallabies playmaker Lynagh is joined by scrum-half Mosiah Christian in the halves, with Flyn McDermott among the backs on the bench.

Pappin and Josh Takai form a new-look midfield pairing, with Sefa Naivalu and ‘The Junkyard Dog’ taking their place on the edges. Volavola completes the backline, bringing plenty of experience at both club and international level to the side.

“It’s always a tough one playing the Brumbies and we want to put our best game together,” Bryant explained.

“We’ll be really trying to crank up our ball carries, cleans and physicality in general. Our energy around defence and attack, just getting set early and playing on top of them are things we have to do better.

“I’m really enjoying having Vern in. The new coaching group cut everything out and get straight to the point which I like.”

Queensland Reds to take on ACT Brumbies 

1. George Blake – Bond University

2. Matt Faessler (c) – Brothers

3. Trevor King – Souths

4. Will Ross – Brothers

5. Charlie Brosnan – Brothers

6. Joe Brial – University of Queensland

7. John Bryant – Souths

8. Vaiuta Latu – Brothers

9. Mosiah Christian – Norths

10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland

11. Sefa Naivalu – University of Queensland

12. Jake Pappin – Easts

13. Josh Takai – Brothers

14. Tim Ryan – Brothers

15. Ben Volavola – Sunnybank

Replacements

16. Zac Hough – University of Queensland

17. Harrison Usher – Bond University

18. Nick Bloomfield – Easts

19. Jake Kurbatoff – Souths

20. Tom Robinson – University of Queensland

21. Flynn McDermott – University of Queensland

22. Will McCulloch – Norths

23. David Fusitu’a – Brothers

26. Dom Thygesen – Wests

28. Alex Flanagan Smith – Norths