Queensland Reds v Wales Tour Match

[Burgs]

The Queensland Reds are to host Wales on Friday night (5:30 WST on Stan).
Given the Wallabies are to play Georgia the next day in Sydney (therefore a Squad should already be fixed) I am hoping that all the Reds players are released to play and make a decent showing.
It is win-win or Australia as both matches are of Test intensity, and arguably the Reds match will offer greater benefit of players playing in a season familiar Squad.
I note that Reg Roberts was discussing similar in the last couple of days on X.
His respective XV's are-

Reg Roberts Queensland Reds XV

1 Hodgman A
2 Nassar J
3 Nonggorr Z
4 Canham J
5 Smith R
6 Uru S
7 Bryant J
8 Wilson H
9 McDermott T
10 Lynagh T
11 Greely M
12 Creighton L
13 Flook J
14 Ryan T
15 Campbell J

16 Asiata R
17 Fa'agase S
18 Toomaga-Allen J
19 Roiri T
20 Brial J
21 Werchon L
22 O'Connor J
23 Aubrey F

Reg Roberts Wallabies

1 Kailea I
2 Pollard B
3 Tupou T
4 Blyth A
5 Williams J
6 Wright L
7 McReight F
8 Valetini R
9 White N
10 Donaldson B
11 Daugunu F
12 Paisami H
13 Ikitau L
14 Pietsch D
15 Kellaway A

16 Faessler M
17 Slipper J
18 Alaalatoa A
19 Frost N
20 Hooper T
21 Gordon J
22 Stewart H
23 Lancaster D

Given the Gibbon and Lancaster development since his announcement he hasn't made that consideration.
As much as I hate dabbling with Test caps, under these circumstances I would be "all-in" with all available Reds being released for the Wales fixture.

Burgs Queensland Reds XV

1 Hodgman A
2 Nasser J
3 Nonggorr Z
4 Blyth A
5 Smith R
6 Wright L
7 McReight F
8 Wilson H
9 McDermott T
10 Lynagh T
11 Lancaster D
12 Paisami H
13 Daugunu F
14 Ryan T
15 Campbell J

16 Asiata R
17 Blake G
18 Toomaga-Allen J
19 Canham J
20 Uru S
21 Thomas K
22 O'Connor J
23 Flook J

Burgs Wallabies

1 Slipper J
2 Faessler M
3 Kailea I
4 Williams J
5 Frost N
6 Valetini R
7 Hooper T
8 Salakaia-Loto L
9 White N
10 Donaldson B
11 Pietsch D
12 Stewart H
13 Ikitau L
14 Kellaway A
15 Wright T

16 Pollard B
17 Alaalatoa A
18 Tupou T
19 Gleeson L
20 Cale C
21 Gordon J
22 Lolesio N
23 Feliuai D


* Have left Faessler as only three Hookers in Wallabies Squad and would be pushing the concept too far to bring in a new player.

[Garry Owen]

Lukhan at number 8 is a bit left field when you have Cale, Gleeson, Valentini etc so can’t see that happening but I agree it would be interesting

I really hope we see Stewart get a crack at 12, Schmidt has seen Paisami for 2 tests now and hasn’t shown a lot

[Burgs]

Lukhan at number 8 is a bit left field

Yep, acknowledge that.
The thinking was around giving LSL exposure there for contingency cover later in the year, moving him to the second row in the second half (explaining having both Cale and Gleeson on bench) and also ensuring a lung burster 80 on him.
He is recognised as playing there, just hasn't for a very long time as I recall and would give some extra scrum weight against the renowned Georgian pack.

Add- Just looking through the stats, he last played #8 for the Wallabies in 2020, but was running out for Northampton and Reds as #6 or Backrow cover fairly regularly.

[Burgs]

Jock Campbell named skipper, FOUR Rebels to feature in Reds v Wales

Wed, Jul 17, 2024, 9:00 AM
Lachlan Grey

Fresh from inking an extension with Queensland through 2025, Jock Campbell will be honoured with the captain's armband when he takes the field against Wales.

With doubt over the availability of incumbent leaders Liam Wright (injury) and Tate McDermott (Wallabies), many would've predicted veteran James O'Connor to once again lead the side on Friday night.

Reds coach Les Kiss, however, had other ideas with Campbell, 29, unveiled as the state's 127th skipper via social media early on Wednesday morning.

The silky 79-cap outside back is highly regarded by Kiss, who earlier this week branded Campbell's experience as "invaluable".

"When I first arrived at the Reds, Jock and Liam Wright were two senior players who helped me a lot around the coaching," Kiss said. “Jock is a good mentor for the young guys. He has an astute rugby mind and his flexibility to play fullback, wing and outside centre is the versatility you need in squad."

Campbell will lead the side from fullback with O'Connor to start at flyhalf with four Rebels also set to feature

Lock Josh Canham, outside back Lachie Anderson, former Wallabies prop Matt Gibbon and Mason Gordon are shaping up for potential Reds debuts off the bench.

Utility back Mason Gordon, who played with the Rebels this year, has been drafted from Wests Bulldogs as cover on the bench with Wallabies selections and injuries reducing the available backs.

Queensland Reds squad to face Wales Friday 19 July Suncorp Stadium - 7:55pm AEST

1. Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High School – Beaudesert Warriors
2. Richie Asiata – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
4. Connor Vest – Souths - Grafton High School - Grafton Junior Rugby Club
5. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
6. Seru Uru – Wests, Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji
7. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
8. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
9. Louis Werchon - Wests – Sunshine Coast Grammar – Maroochydore Swans
10. James O’Connor - Brothers - St Joseph’s Nudgee College - Brothers
11. Mac Grealy – University of Queensland – Downlands College – Souths Toowoomba
12. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School
13. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
14. Floyd Aubrey - GPS - Marist College Ashgrove – GPS
15. Jock Campbell (c) – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders

16. George Blake - Bond University – The Southport School – Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
17. Matt Gibbon – Bond University – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby Club
18. Massimo De Lutiis – Easts – The Southport School – Surfers Paradise Dolphins
19. Josh Canham – Bond University – Brighton Grammar, Melbourne - Harlequins, Melbourne
20. Connor Anderson – Wests – Brisbane State High School – Everton Park Roosters
21. Will Cartwright – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College - Brothers
22. Mason Gordon – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College - Wests
23. Lachie Anderson – Eastwood – Oakhill College – Dural Rugby Club

[Burgs]

Reds rookies backed to shine against Wales, JOC contract talks "progressing well"

Wed, Jul 17, 2024, 10:30 AM
Lachlan Grey

Queensland coach Les Kiss has backed teenager Dre Pakeho to thrive in a baptism of fire against the Welsh Dragon on Friday.

Pakeho, 19, has been a standout for Brothers in the 2024 Hospital Cup following two years in the Australia U18s & Schools program.

It's a major step up from clubland to debuting against Welsh flyers Nick Tompkins and Rio Dyer at Suncorp Stadium but Kiss says there's no better time to test the Reds Academy ace.

"Brothers have been sensational in the Hospital Cup here and he (Paheko) has been in very good form," Kiss told media on Wednesday.

"All year he's probably been one of the form 12s of our competition. He's been been brilliant at training here, he's trained a lot with our firsts team and he'll bring a lot.


"This is obviously another step up for him but that's what these occasions are for - to get exposure to players at every level."

Paheko won't be thrown in cold either with club teammates James O'Connor (flyhalf), Tim Ryan (outside centre) and a fellow debutant in the backline mixer.

"We've got young Will Cartwright who is going to deputise at number nine for us and he's also played a lot of wing for Brothers so there's another reason to bring him in," Kiss said.

"It's a young 12-13 for us, isn't it? I think the real key support is James (O'Connor) at 10 and Jock Campbell at 15. Those types of experiences are fantastic … and Timmy's up against Tompkins, so what a way to go in your first international."

O'Connor's selection at flyhalf and the inclusion of potential debutant Mason Gordon adds another layer of intrigue to the Reds' post-season.

Queensland are yet to lock 64-Test O'Connor beyond 2024 while Gordon is currently a free agent following the Rebels' exit from Super Rugby Pacific.

Unlike his former Melbourne teammates Josh Canham (signed through 2026), Lachie Anderson and Matt Gibbon (both transitioned from Rebels to Reds for 2025), Gordon remains without a Super Rugby Pacific contract for 2025 and is currently playing for Hospital Cup outfit Wests Bulldogs.

Kiss told media contract negotiations with O'Connor were "progressing well" but did not elaborate on the long-term future of either playmaker.

"I think the big focus that he (James) wanted was to get into this game and have an opportunity to go out there and put the number #10 jersey on for the Reds," Kiss said.

"He's been fantastic all year and I know the boys are all rallying around him for this opportunity, the type of leadership he'll offer from the middle to help out Jock from the back will be fantastic.

"He's stinging to go, that's for sure, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do on the pitch.

"(Mason)'s just looking for some opportunities, we've had some space there so we've just drafted him to help out this next period," Kiss added.

"You know, we'll see where that goes but he's been fantastic this past week working away with us."

Earlier on Wednesday, Jock Campbell was named Reds captain with Ryan Smith set to deputise.

The Welsh have also named a strong side to tackle Queensland in Friday's uncapped fixture with coach Warren Gatland set to unleash league convert Regan Grace on the wing.