Seven Australia XV squad members named in Reds’ tour squad for Japan

Before the Australia XV gets their two-match tour underway next month, seven members of that squad will pull on a Queensland Reds jersey in Japan. On Wednesday, the Reds announced a 29-man squad to take on the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in two fixtures.

The Reds will fly to Japan on Thursday before taking on the Wild Knights with extended benches and behind closed doors in Kumagaya on Sunday. Then, the feature fixture of the tour will go ahead on Monday, November 4, for the Saitama-Queensland Shield.

Coach Les Kiss will lead a squad that includes seven Australia XV squad members, who will join the team in Europe after their time in Japan. Those representative players are Tom Lynagh, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Josh Nasser, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial and Massimo De Lutiis.

This squad also boasts more than 350 Queensland caps between the players selected. Wallabies Lynagh, Nasser, Alex Hodgman (who formerly played for the All Blacks), and Josh Canham have all been selected. Matt Gibbon and another former All Black, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, also have Test-match experience.

Former Melbourne Rebels playmaker Mason Gordon, who is the younger brother of former Wallaby turned Gold Coast Titans signing Carter, has been included as well.

Five players from Brisbane club rugby are in line to debut for Queensland this tour. Crusaders winger Heremaia Murray will also travel as a player of interest for the Brisbane-based Super Rugby Pacific club.

“This is a good, solid squad with a real focus which the players have shown with their hard work over the past month,” coach Les Kiss said in a statement.

“That’s been essential to prepare for the great competitive relationship we have with the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.

“We value the history our two clubs have developed and the opportunity this creates for both clubs to look at exciting talent hungry for chances.”

Shaun Anderson (GPS), Sebastian Hanna (Brothers), Kohan Herbet (Souths) and Hamish Miller (Brothers) have all been rewarded for strong seasons in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup and after impressive training sessions with the Reds.

Winger Matt Brice from the University of Queensland will travel as well after progressing through the Reds Academy. Brice, who is a former Noosa Dolphins player, was identified by the Reds through the Queensland Country pathway.

“We have been watching the club competition and Academy group closely to know these players have qualities,” Kiss explained.

“Kohan is a genuine No. 7 and leader for Souths, Hamish is a good option covering the backrow and lock, Shaun is a physical and fast outside back, Bas has picked things up really quicky at training and Matt made a clear case with his impressive training.”

Queensland Reds tour squad

BACKS
Louis Werchon
Kalani Thomas
Will Cartwright
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Tom Lynagh
Heremaia Murray
Matt Brice
Dre Pakeho
Frankie Goldsbrough
Floyd Aubrey
Shaun Anderson
Sebastian Hanna
Mason Gordon

FORWARDS
Alex Hodgman
Sef Fa’agase
Matt Gibbon
Josh Nasser
Richie Asiata
George Blake
Massimo De Lutiis
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Ryan Smith
Connor Vest
Josh Canham
Taine Roiri
Kohan Herbert
Max Craig
Joe Brial
Hamish Muller