'Beats defenders easily': Reds back teen sensation in new role

Queensland teenager Treyvon Pritchard will have the chance to make his mark at fullback, with skipper Fraser McReight excited to see the rising talent unleashed in his first Super Rugby Pacific start at No.15.

Already a target for incoming NRL side the PNG Chiefs for his exploits on the wing, the 19-year-old will switch to fullback for the Reds’ final-round clash against Fijian Drua on Friday night.

Pritchard is replacing Jock Campbell, who is being rested after staking a claim to wear the Wallabies fullback jersey in a break-out season.

It shows the faith coach Les Kiss has in Pritchard, with plenty riding on the result with the sixth-placed Reds able to finish as high as fourth with a win and if the Crusaders and Brumbies slip up.

Making his Super debut this year, Pritchard has caught the eye of the cashed-up Chiefs, who are looking to reunite him with his 21-year-old brother Kadin, a centre at the Brumbies.

McReight is also a big fan of the speedy youngster, who scored a try in their last-round win over Moana Pasifika.

“Really excited for him – he’s looking dangerous out there,” the flanker said as they fine-tuned preparations for the Suncorp Stadium clash.

“He’s able to beat defenders easily and maintain his composure in the collisions.

“At home as well, so in front of his mum and his dad and his other siblings, it’s going to be exciting.”

McReight is also happy to see big man Lukhan Salakaia-Loto return as starting lock after becoming a father for the third time on Tuesday.

He will partner Josh Canham, who made a successful 80-minute comeback in the last-gasp win over Moana.

“He’s been a super abrasive sort of lock and the character within the group and the boys are amped to have him back,” McReight said of Salakaia-Loto.

“He’s going to do wonders for us.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

34

20

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

80%

If the Reds remain sixth they will travel to Wellington to take on the table-topping Hurricanes, who face the Crusaders in Christchurch in the early Friday match.

McReight said they had a few goals approaching the Drua – victory in their last home match of the season and building form ahead of next week’s first final.

“You want to work on the things that you haven’t been executing and you want to finish high on the ladder,” the Wallabies No.7 said.

“The ladder’s evolving … so it’s about what we can do and what we can control and that’s our performance.

“Whatever team we come up against (in the final) they know that we’re a great side and we can play some really good football, but that’s next week and today is obviously focusing on Fiji.”

1. Aidan Ross – Bond University – Otumoetai College, NZ – Te Puke Sports
2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar – USQ Saints
3. Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
4. Josh Canham – Bond University – Brighton Grammar, Melb – Harlequin RC, Melb
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths – John Edmondson HS, Sydney – Southern Districts, Sydney
6. Seru Uru – Easts – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
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. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar – Flinders RC
10. Carter Gordon – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Wests
11. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland – Manukau Rovers
13. Josh Flook – Brothers – Nudgee College – Brothers
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland – Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC, Sydney
15. Treyvon Pritchard – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School – Springfield Hawks

16. Richie Asiata – Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
17. George Blake – Bond University – The Southport School – Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
18. Massimo De Lutiis – Wests – The Southport School – Surfers Paradise Dolphins
19. Vaiuta Latu – Brothers – St Peters Lutheran College – Pine Rivers Pumas
20. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
21. Louis Werchon – Wests – Sunshine Coast Grammar – Maroochydore Swans
22. Ben Volavola – Sunnybank – Newington College – Seaforth Raiders, Sydney
23. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank – Dogotuki District School, Fiji