Carter Gordon named for Reds debut as five Wallabies return

Wallabies playmaker Carter Gordon will make his Reds debut on Friday night in Brisbane when his new club hosts the resurgent Highlanders.

Gordon returned to rugby union after a short-lived stint in the NRL last year, and is not the only Wallaby returning ready to run out for the first time in 2026.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has recovered from the knee issue that kept him out of round 1, and will start at No.8, while the trio of Filipo Daugunu, Josh Nasser and Kalani Thomas have been named for their respective season debuts on the bench.

There is no shortage of expectations resting on the Reds in 2026, and new captain Fraser McReight says the team have spent the bye week productively after their round 1 loss to the Waratahs in Sydney.

“The Highlanders look like they have a bag of tricks, and they’ve got some very talented players. We’re prepared,” McReight said.

Reds Head Coach Les Kiss was eager to extend the club’s recent run of 10 wins in the last 14 games at Suncorp Stadium.

“This is our home and we always want to put out a performance worthy of the Queensland jersey,” Kiss said.

“We have been working hard on areas that will be important against the Highlanders. We know how getting all those little moments right do add up in rugby.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

26

25

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

60%

Reds team to play the Highlanders

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. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
7. Fraser McReight (c) – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Louis Werchon – Wests – Sunshine Coast Grammar – Maroochydore Swans
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. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders

Reserves

16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace – Easts
17. George Blake – Bond University – The Southport School – Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen – Norths – Wellington College, NZ
19. Hamish Muller – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar – USQ Saints
20. Vaiuta Latu – Brothers – St Peters Lutheran College – Pine Rivers Pumas
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar – Souths
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank – Dogotuki District School, Fiji

* Queensland Reds debut

Injury list

Charlie Brosnan
Nicholas Conway
Massimo De Lutiis
Tom Lynagh
Will McCulloch
Tate McDermott
Will Ross
Seru Uru
Ben Volavola