In the middle of the night in a city a world away from Ballymore, the Queensland Reds will be out to make a statement on the world stage after Les Kiss rolled out a formidable looking outfit to start their 2025 campaign.
Indeed, 13 Wallabies have been named by Kiss in his starting side to take on Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
It’s a huge number that showcases the rising depth at the Reds over the past 18 months since Kiss was confirmed as Brad Thorn’s successor.
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Even without Joe Schmidt’s first-choice Wallabies skipper last year Liam Wright, Kiss has rolled out a forward pack with seven Test stars, including Rebels recruits Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who shape as game-changers for a side that was missing the physicality required to go toe-for-toe with New Zealand outfits across the ditch.
Les Kiss has named a strong side featuring 13 Wallabies for the Reds’ historic match in Bristol. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
With Test trio Seru Uru, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson in the back-row, Kiss has a crop of back-five forwards who can ball with the best of them.
Nor will the front-row get pushed about either, with Alex Hodgman and Zane Nonggorr to start and Wallaby Matt Faessler joined on the bench by Sef Fa’agase and the rising Massimo de Lutiis. Ryan Smith and Joe Brial are on the bench.
The backline has excitement written all over it, with Rebels recruit and former Australian sevens regular Lachie Anderson the only back without a Wallabies cap.
But after his impressive season on the wing for the Rebels in 2024, the well-grounded outside back will only complement a side that is brimming with confidence.
Tate McDermott captains the side and is joined by his Test teammate Tom Lynagh in the halves, while Hunter Paisami is joined in the midfield by Wallabies rookie Josh Flook.
Filipo Daugunu returns on the wing after his one-season at the Rebels in 2024, with the smooth-running Jock Campbell at fullback.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will play his first match for the Reds since 2022 against the Bears. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The next generation of stars provides backline cover on the bench, with Kalani Thomas to play his 50th match while playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is expected to get big minutes in 2025.
“It’s a privilege for us to be representing Queensland on the world stage, and we are excited to show who we are, how we play and what is important to us,” Kiss said.
“Challenging ourselves against top quality opposition is the sole reason we are here. That is why we have selected a team to develop combinations, with the intent of growing our game to meet the challenge of Moana Pasifika for our first Super Rugby game in three weeks’ time.”
Second-placed Bristol are missing England stars Ellis Genge and Max Mallins, with the English Premiership side stricken by injury and missing their internationals due to this weekend’s Six Nations.
“With the short turnaround from Sunday’s game versus Newcastle to Friday, as well as 21 players injured or unavailable due to international call-ups, we’ve balanced the squads for this weekend’s games against Queensland Reds and Ampthill in the space of 24 hours,” Lam said.
“With the way the season is structured, progressing in the Premiership Cup is important to ensure we have competitive fixtures in the four weeks leading up to facing Exeter Chiefs, so we are best prepared for that Gallagher Premiership clash on Saturday, March 22nd.
“But this weekend is a great opportunity for every fit and available Academy player to pull on the Bears shirt, as well as some young and exciting invitational players who have been excelling for their clubs or BUCS universities.”
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Rugby
Queensland and Bristol are meeting for the first time since the sides played a 9-all draw in Bristol in 1980 when Paul McLean, Tony Shaw and Andrew Slack were members of the touring team.
The clubs share links with players like Tom Richards, Jacob Rauluni, Jason Little and Luke Morahan having played for both Queensland and Bristol.
Richards is the sole Australian-born player to represent both the Wallabies and British & Irish Lions, a marvellous achievement magnified by the fact he landed at Gallipoli in 1915 and won an Olympic gold medal for rugby in 1908.
Bristol Bears vs Queensland Reds at Ashton Gate. Kick-off: 5:45am Saturday AEDT
Bears (1-15): Jake Woolmore, Gabriel Oghre, Max Lahiff, Ethan Surrey, Joe Owen, Paddy Pearce, Aaron Tull, Jake Heenan, Sam Wolstenholme, Harry Bazalgette, Harry Rowson, Gethin O’Callaghan, Jacob Cusick, Solomon Taufa, Elias Caven
Reserves: Tom Doughty, Sam Grahamslaw, Tom Sims, Brian Ncube, Will Ramply, George Turner, Matty Jones, Dylan Power Josh Carrington
Reds (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Josh Campbell
Reserves: Matt Faessler, Sef Fa’agase, Massimo de Lutiis, Ryan Smith, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Heremaia Murray