Queensland Reds Head Coach Les Kiss has named 13 Wallabies to start the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific pre-season against English Premiership contenders Bristol Bears in chilly conditions on Friday night.
Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and winger Filipo Daugunu will play their first matches for Queensland since 2022 and 2023 respectively at Bristol's Ashton Gate home ground.
Both will resume careers of 69 Reds caps and bring significant experience to a side which will be led by captain Tate McDermott and vice-captain Fraser McReight.
Josh Canham joins Salakaia-Loto as the lock pairing.
The match (which kicks off at 5:45am Saturday AEST) continues a stretch of international fixtures for Canham since joining the Reds in July. His initial matches in the maroon jersey have been against Test sides Wales and Tonga, as well as Japanese Top League heavyweights Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
“We’re really excited for the challenge of playing under lights at Ashton Gate; it’s something we’re all incredibly keen for,” Reds Co-Captain Tate McDermott said.
“It’s been a hell of a long time since we’ve played Bristol, and to represent Queensland so far away from Suncorp is unique and exciting.”
A new-look front-row sees hooker Richie Asiata rewarded for outstanding form in those international fixtures with a start alongside Alex Hodgman and Zane Nonggorr.
McReight is joined in the backrow by 2024 Test debutant Seru Uru and Wallabies captain Harry Wilson for a match expected to kick-off in 3-degree temperatures.
McDermott again pairs up with playmaker Tom Lynagh in the halves. Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook will reprise their successful midfield pairing while Lachie Anderson (wing) and Jock Campbell (fullback) complete the back three alongside Daugunu.
Queensland Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said he was excited to see his players demonstrate their capabilities in new surroundings.
“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.
“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.”
Wallaby hooker Matt Faessler joins boom tighthead Massimo De Lutiis, the experienced Sef Fa’agase and Ryan Smith plus second-year Red Joe Brial as the replacement forwards.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Kalani Thomas and recruit Heremaia Murray round out the matchday 23.
Thomas will play his 50th game for Queensland when he enters the fray. The Ipswich Grammar product continues to excite whenever he is injected into the contest, bringing instant energy, speed and class. Kiss paid tribute to his continued development as he reaches a significant milestone.
“Kalani has worked extremely hard to reach 50 Queensland Reds caps, which is a terrific achievement,” Kiss said. “Kalani constantly pushes himself and his teammates to get better. He continues to grow as a person and we’re looking forward to seeing him make an impact on Friday.”
The Bears are fresh off a victory over Newcastle on Sunday which saw them consolidate second position on the table. They have averaged more than 35 points a match over their past four fixtures against the Falcons, Saracens, Benetton (Italy) and French powerhouse Clermont Auvergne to show their attacking sparkle.
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.
The remarkable Richards remains the sole Australian-born player to represent both the Wallabies and British & Irish Lions, a marvelous achievement magnified by the fact he landed at Gallipoli in 1915 and won an Olympic gold medal for rugby in 1908.
- Alex Hodgman
- Richie Asiata
- Zane Nonggorr
- Josh Canham
- Lukhan Salakai-Loto
- Seru Uru
- Fraser McReight
- Harry Wilson
- Tate McDermott (C)
- Tom Lynagh
- Filipo Daugunu
- Hunter Paisami
- Josh Flook
- Lachie Anderson
- Jock Campbell
16. Matt Faessler
17. Sef Fa'agase
18. Massimo De Lutiis
19. Ryan Smith
20. Joe Brial
21. Kalani Thomas*
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
23. Heremaia Murray
*denotes 50th Queensland cap
The Bristol Bears v Queensland Reds fixture will not be streamed. Live scores updates will be available via Queensland Reds on X, with match highlights to be shared via Queensland Reds Instagram and Facebook pages once available.
The Queensland Reds UK Tour culminates with a visit to Belfast to play Ulster at Ravenhill Stadium on Friday, February 7, with the game exclusively available for live stream purchase here. A discounted rate will be applied when watching the game on replay.
The Queensland Reds first Super Rugby Pacific match of the 2025 season is against Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on Friday February 21. Queensland Reds memberships have already surpassed 2024 levels.
A big home crowd will certainly go a long way to giving us an edge. Individual game tickets are on sale here.
