Wallaby Filipo Daugunu is returning to the Queensland Reds’ starting side for Saturday night’s big clash against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
Daugunu is back on the wing after his strong 21-minute effort from the bench against the Highlanders last Friday in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
The powerful outside back made an instant impact with his assertive play and the grubber kick ahead that led to Vaiuta Latu’s first try in Super Rugby.
Daugunu proved himself a key factor in the Reds’ 2025 campaign as the club’s leading backline ball-carrier and No.1 for line breaks to go with seven tries.
Daugunu comes in for Tim Ryan. It is part of time management-and-rotation with Ryan having started the season with two impressive try-scoring performances.
It also creates an opportunity on the bench for 18-year-old utility back Treyvon Pritchard, a standout for the Australia Under-18s last year.
“Filipo showed his influence off the bench against the Highlanders. He comes in for us on the wing,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“It’s part of rotation and rest for Tim who has played two trials and two strong games now the season is underway.
"Increasing our depth of options is always ongoing. Treyvon has been working with the squad since before our matches against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights last October. He played a trial at Ballymore and performed well in the Super Rugby Next Gen series.
“His versatility makes him an ideal backline replacement for this game.”
With Matt Faessler unavailable, fellow Wallabies hooker Josh Nasser steps up into the starting front-row after his own strong display off the bench against the Highlanders.
In the centres, the experienced Isaac Henry replaces the injured Hunter Paisami.
Henry made appearances for the Reds against the British and Irish Lions, Tonga and the Wild Knights in the second half of 2025 to build his tally of Queensland caps to 18.
The Reds are well aware of the challenge in Canberra against a Brumbies team which sits atop the table after a 3-0 start to the season.
“We know what we are up against, the best team in the comp at the moment at their home ground,” Kiss said.
“It’ll be a very tough encounter. Our preparation needs to be good and our performance needs to be disciplined for the 80 minutes.
“Canberra is a tough place to win but these are the challenges we look forward to.”
Saturday, March 7
GIO Stadium
6:35pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport
1 Aidan Ross - Bond University - Otumoetai College, NZ - Te Puke Sports
2 Josh Nasser - University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts
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 - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Wests
11 Filipo Daugunu - Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
12 Isaac Henry - Wests - Brisbane Boys' College - Kenmore Bears
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
16 Richie Asiata - Sunnybank - Anglican Church Grammar School
17 George Blake - Bond University - The Southport School - Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
19 Seru Uru - Easts - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
20 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers - St Peters Lutheran College - Pine Rivers Pumas
21 Kalani Thomas - Souths - Ipswich Grammar - Souths
22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Wests - Brisbane Boys’ College - Gunnedah Red Devils
23 Treyvon Pritchard* - Brothers - Anglican Church Grammar School – Springfield Hawks
* denotes Super Rugby debut
