mens
super-rugby-pacific
Queensland Red coach Vern Cotter went with the first-time captain for the opening match of their international tour, with left-back John Bryant set to lead the side against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in a captainless trial.
Australia Skipper Matt Faessler was selected in the matchday side, named on the bench alongside fellow Wallabies Zane Nonggorra and Aidan Ross. New Reds recruits Izaia Peresa, Coby Miln and Cadeyrn Neville will also get their chance in maroon.
Byrant captained the St Laurence’s College First XV until the drought six years ago. But the openside flankers will now lead Queensland, joined by Tom Robinson and Vaiuta Latu at loose forwards.
Charlie Brosnan joins Wallaby Cadeyrn Neville in the second row, while Zac Hough will pack forward alongside props George Blake and Trevor King. Faessler, Ross and Nonggorr will provide front row coverage from the crease.
At half-time, Tom Lynagh will start at fly-half, joined at fly-half by Cooper Stewart. Dre Pakeho will link up with Perese in the centres, with Nicholas Conway and Taione Tak on the wings, with Milne starting at full-back.
“John has worked hard for us. What we’re excited about is he really has a ceiling to get better on both sides of the ball,” Cotter said.
“Besides carrying the ball and defending, he has leadership qualities and we have to build them within the team. He leads with his actions, and he also knows the game.
“This tour is exciting for everyone involved, the Queensland Rugby Union as an organisation, the team, the players, the staff, everyone.
“In the past weeks, we had more time together to practice and now we can express ourselves in the matches.
“Games in Japan they will test us in a different way than those in Italy. Our skill and resilience will be challenged and the preparation on the tour will bring us closer together to begin with Super Rugby Pacific early next year.”
The Reds begin their road trip against the Wild Knights and will face the same opponent next week in a back-to-back matchup. Queensland then head to Europe, where they will face Italy XV and Benetton Rugby to round off the tour.
Queensland Reds to oppose Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights