18-year-old named for first Super Rugby Pacific start as Reds face Force

Fly-half Carter Gordon is one of three Wallabies back in the Queensland Reds starting side for this weekend’s clash with the Western Force in Brisbane, along with scrum-half Kalani Thomas and centre Josh Flook.

Gordon returns to Super Rugby Pacific after missing the team’s last match with a minor lower limb niggle. Thomas has only started one match so far this season in the No. 9 jersey, and Flook is back to partner Wallaby Hunter Paisami.

18-year-old Treyvon Pritchard will start a Super Rugby match for the first time, named in the outside backs along with Tim ‘The Junkyard Dog’ Ryan and Josh Flook. In-form midfielder Issac Henry has not been selected, with Flook joining Hunter Paisami in the centres.

Former All Black turned Wallaby Aidan Ross will pack down at loosehead prop once again, joining Josh Nasser and Nick Bloomfield in an unchanged front-row. Seru Uru and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto have again been named as the locking duo.

Reds captain Fraser McReight joins powerful blindside flanker Joe Brial and Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson in an exciting loose forwards trio. Wallabies rake Matt Faessler and Vaiuta Latu are among those looking to make an impact off the bench.

“It’s good news to have a player like ‘Faess’ returning with his experience. The competition we have between three quality hookers is fantastic,” Kiss said.

“I know [Faessler] is chomping at the bit to contribute.

“Treyvon has certainly shown what he is capable of in his minutes off the bench this season. It’s only scratching the surface of his potential and he gets to take another step in his learning with experienced Wallabies around him.

“It means again that we have three strong backline players to finish the game from the bench with Louis, Harry and Tim Ryan.”

The Reds are looking to bounce back after falling to the Hurricanes 52-14 last weekend in New Zealand’s windy capital. Queensland had been on a four-match unbeaten run before that, which included a first-ever win over the Drua in Fiji.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

35

24

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

80%

They will take on a Western Force outfit who are looking to snap a run of three consecutive defeats, with their last win coming on February 27 against Moana Pasifika. Coach Simon Cron has named former NRL star Zac Lomax to come off the bench.

“We’ve had some tight games against the Force. These derbies are always meaty affairs,” Kiss added.

“We know players like Ben Donaldson and Darby Lancaster can be dangermen in the backs and Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain are experienced for any pack.”

Queensland Reds team to take on Western Force

1. Aidan Ross – Bond University – Otumoetai College, NZ – Te Puke Sports
2. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Easts
3. Nick Bloomfield – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School – Easts
4. Seru Uru – Easts – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths – John Edmondson HS, Sydney – Southern Districts, Sydney
6. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
7. Fraser McReight (c) – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Kalani Thomas – Souths – Ipswich Grammar – Souths
10. Carter Gordon – Wests – Sunshine Coast Grammar – Wests
11. Treyvon Pritchard – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School – Springfield Hawks
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland – Manukau Rovers
13. Josh Flook – Brothers -Nudgee College – Brothers
14. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank – Dogotuki District School, Fiji
15. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders

Replacements
16.  Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar – USQ Saints
17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen – Norths – Wellington College, NZ
18. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Hamish Muller – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar – USQ Saints
20. Vaiuta Latu – Brothers – St Peters Lutheran College – Pine Rivers Pumas
21. Louis Werchon – Wests – Sunshine Coast Grammar – Maroochydore Swans
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe