Reds name 13 Wallabies in historic clash with Bears

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TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: 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.

This is the first of two matches for the Reds during their UK Tour ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and winger Filipo Daugunu will play their first matches for the Reds since 2022 and 2023 respectively at Bristol's Ashton Gate home ground.

Both will resume careers with 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 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 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 back row by 2024 Test debutant Seru Uru and Wallabies captain Harry Wilson for a match expected to kick off in low 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.

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. Kiss paid tribute to his continued development as he reaches a significant milestone.

"Kalani has worked extremely hard to reach 50 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.

The Queensland Reds' first Super Rugby Pacific match of the 2025 season is against Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, February 21.

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachlan Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11
Alex Hodgman, 10 Filipo Daugunu, 9 Tom Lynagh, 8 Tate McDermott (captain), 7 Harry Wilson, 6 Fraser McReight, 5 Seru Uru, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Josh Canham, 2 Zane Nonggorr, 1 Riche Asiata
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Sef Fa'agase, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Joe Brian, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Heremaia Murray