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Eight potential debutants named as Wallaby captains new-look Reds
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Australia A and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler will captain a new-look Queensland Reds side in a battle for the Saitama-Queensland Shield, with eight potential debutants set to wear maroon for the first time in a capped match.
Tyros Taione Taka played for both the Australia under-18s and under-20s this season, and is now set to continue that rise with the Reds. Taka will debut for Queensland on the wing against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at Kumagaya Stadium.
Cooper Stewart is the other debutant in the run-on side, with the halfback set to link up with capped Wallabies fly-half Tom Lynagh in the halves. Dre Pakeho joins 2023 Rugby World Cup Wallaby Izaia Perese in the centres, with Tim Ryan and Lachie Anderson in the back three.
Faessler will pack down in an all-Wallabies front row, joined by former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross and tighthead prop Zane Nonggorr. Charlie Brosnan and Cadeyrn Neville are the locks, with Joe Brial, John Bryant and Vaiuta Latu in the loose forwards.
18-year-old Kingsley Uys, Will Ross, Nicholas Conway, Mosiah Christian, Coby Miln and Lachie Hooper will made their first cap appearances for Queensland. It will be the fifth Shield match between the sides, with the Reds winning the last two matches in Japan.
“It’s an important game for us on tour and a good chance for our debutants to make a mark beside our experienced players,” coach Vern 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.”
Queensland Reds team for Saitama-Queensland Shield clash
- Aidan Ross – Bond University
- Matt Faessler (c) – Brothers
- Zane Nonggorr – Bond University
- Charlie Brosnan – Brothers
- Cadeyrn Neville – TBC
- Joe Brial – University of Queensland
- John Bryant – Souths
- Vaiuta Latu – Brothers
- Cooper Stewart – University of Queensland
- Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland
- Tim Ryan – Brothers
- Dre Pakeho – Brothers
- Izaia Perese – Easts
- Taione Taka – Brothers
- Lachlan Anderson – University of Queensland
Reserves
George Blake – Bond University
Kingsley Uys – Bond University
Nick Bloomfield – Easts
Will Ross – Brothers
Lachlan Hooper – TBC
Mosiah Christian – Norths
Coby Miln – TBC
Nicholas Conway – Brothers
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