Queensland Reds team of the week unveiled following under-15s, under-16s, under-19s clashes over the weekend

The Queensland Reds’ top pathway talent was glimpsed at the weekend when the club’s under-15s, under-16s and under-19s teams took on their NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies counterparts. Revealed here is a bumper team of the week along with a 50-image picture gallery of all the action.

Fergus Gillan. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

The Queensland Reds’ top pathway talent was glimpsed at the weekend when the club’s under-15s, under-16s and under-19s teams took on their NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies counterparts.

On Saturday, the Reds Under-16s flexed their muscles in a 53-19 victory over the Brumbies in their opening match of the Super Rugby tournament before the under-19s dealt with the Brumbies 53-12 in Canberra.

On Sunday, the Reds Under-15s fell 27-19 to the Waratahs at Ballymore.

This weekend the under-15s will travel to Sydney seeking revenge against the ‘Tahs with kick-off set for 12.45pm.

At Ballymore on Sunday, the Reds host NSW in round three of the Super Rugby tournament with the under-16s starting at 12.05pm and the under-19s getting underway at 2.05pm.

Unveiled below is a Queensland Reds young gun team of the week featuring standout performers across all three age groups, as well as 50 of the best images from the weekend’s action.

YOUNG GUN TEAM OF THE WEEK

15. Dre-dyn Laban (Under-19s)

Dre-dyn Laban. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Laban’s mistake-free showing in the backfield demanded respect in a big win by the Reds.

The crafty Souths fullback was just faultless and made the right decisions throughout the course of the match, including a 65m clearing kick from near his own tryline.

14. Isaac Fidock (Reds Under-16s)

Isaac Fidock. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

The excitement machine finished an excellent backline try in the opening minutes of Saturday’s clash and threatened regularly.

He threw a one-handed inside pass for another five-pointer.

13. Xavier Rubens (Under-19s)

Xavier Rubens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Academy weapon Xavier Rubens, 19, had a ripping start to his under-19s campaign.

He impacted the game with his stoic defence and dominant attacking game.

He was king at getting Queensland over the advantage line and onto the front foot with a cracking solo try in the first five minutes his best moment.

Rubens scored another try late in the match as well.

12. Billy Spicer (Reds Under-15s)

Billy Spicer. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

The Nudgee College midfielder, originally from Goondiwindi, was impressive with limited touches against the Waratahs.

When Spicer had room to rove he made a dent in their defensive line and his exhilarating left-to-right step that led to him scoring a wonderful try was the highlight of the day on Sunday.

11. Tai Taka (Under-16s)

The promising Brisbane Boys’ College utility back started with a bang on Saturday with a squeaky clean showing that featured a handful of strong carries and big tackles.

He was top notch and the outside centre deserved to be in this team somewhere.

10. James Smith (Under-15s)

The blonde-haired playmaker from The Southport School showed plenty of courage throwing himself in front of bigger bodies.

His defence was to be admired and his classy distribution of the ball and productive running game were high points in a close defeat for the Reds.

9. James Martens (Under-19s)

James Martens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Electric running the ball, Martens resembled Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott with his scheming darts around the ruck base.

The quick-between-the-ears halfback gave the Brumbies a hard time with his eyes-up quick taps and instigated taking the attack to the opposition which kept them on their toes.

He created plenty of opportunities for his teammates.

8. Agapetos Lote-Felo (Under-16s)

Agapetos Lote-Felo. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

The cream-of-the-crop standout from last weekend’s matches.

Agapetos Lote-Felo was monumental with his ball running from No. 8, swinging momentum in the Queenslander’s favour with his mobility, power and of course that special 30m individual try.

He doesn’t say much but leads well through his tone-setting actions.

7. Noah Rauluni (Under-19s)

Noah Rauluni. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Flair-filled flanker Noah Rauluni got the late call-up in the absence of elite flanker Charlie Cooke (Shoulder injury) and rose to the occasion.

That would come as a surprise to no one who saw Rauluni leave his mark for Easts in the Colts 1 competition earlier this year.

He was everywhere, pilfering, tackling and scoring a try as well.

6. Charlie Brosnan (Under-19s)

Reds Academy backrower Charlie Brosnan showed no signs he hadn’t played a game of rugby in over six months.

In his return from a hip injury that ruled him out of the club rugby season, Brosnan was back to his bruising ways setting a high standard for his peers with an 80 minute performance that featured no shortage of tackles and runs with the ball.

His work rate was immense.

5. Jack Calleja (Under-16s)

Jack Calleja contests the lineout. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

The imposing lock from Ipswich Grammar School was the Reds’ No. 1 lineout target and took on extra responsibility when his second row partner Rupeni Baravilala left the field with a knee injury.

He was first class.

4. Charlie McCauley (Under-19s)

Charlie McCauley (right). Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

The Bond University Bull Sharks Colts 1 captain was right at home playing against the top under-19 players the Brumbies have to offer.

He won his lineouts with distinction, played his part in a productive rolling maul and did his job to perfection.

3. Jeremiah Kite (Under-15s)

The big-bodied tighthead prop led his side well as captain, rallying the Queenslanders back from 20-7 down to come within seven points. Kite landed a try two minutes from time that highlighted the fight of his team, who could have thrown the towel in.

Earlier in the match he prevented the Waratahs from scoring the first try when he won a penalty at the breakdown metres out from his tryline.

2. Xavier Hill (Under-15s)

Sunshine Coast product Xavier Hill had his hand in everything and his powerhouse efforts did not go unnoticed by coach Sean Graham.

The plucky hooker attacked the breakdown with ferocity and held his ground well at scrum time.

1. Sio Kite (Under-16s)

Sio Kite (left, black and white boots). Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Reds Under-16s coach Welmar du Plessis had somewhat of a masterstroke using hulking 15-year-old Sio Kite off the bench.

The loosehead came on for the last 15 minutes of the first half and played the first 20 minutes of the second stanza and in that time moved mountains in the scrum for the Queenslanders.

Kite crashed over on the cusp of half time to grab the first lead of the game for the visitors and they never surrendered it.

SUBS

16. Finlay King (Under-19s)

Finlay King scores. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

17. Trevor King (Under-19s)

18. Tyrece Herniman (Under-16s)

19. Vaiuta Latu (Reds Under-19s)

20. Maddox Maclean (Reds Under-19s)

21. Ralph Labor (Reds Under-15s)

Ralph Labor. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

22. Rohan Nichol (Reds Under-16s)

Rohan Nichol. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

23. Harrison Taylor (Under-15s)

PICTURE GALLERY

Billy Spicer. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

Billy Spicer. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

Ralph Labor. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

Chilli Tonelli-Smith. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

Ralph Labor. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

Billy Spicer. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

Chilli Tonelli-Smith. Action from the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs Under-15s bout at Ballymore on Sunday. Picture credit: QRU Media.

Isaac Fidock. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Pierre Poluleuligaga. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Dylan Terblanche. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Isaac Fidock. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Rohan Nichol. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Alfie Bowman. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Alfie Bowman. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Isaac Fidock scores. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Rohan Nichol. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Rohan Nichol. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Pierre Poluleuligaga. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Rohan Nichol. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Harrison Asi. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Jack Calleja contests the lineout. Action from the round two game between the Reds and Brumbies. Picture courtesy of ACT Brumbies Media.

Pierre Poluleuligaga. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

Angus Underwood. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

Kobi Nouanrasy. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

Dylan Terblanche. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

Dylan Terblanche. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Agapetos Lote-Felo. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

Dylan Terblanche. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

Dylan Terblanche. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

Dylan Terblanche. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

Keegan Cook. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Jack Burton. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Dylan Terblanche. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Isaac Fidock. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Callum Reidy. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Rupeni Baravilala. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Isaac Fidock helps Dylan Terblanche kick for goal. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Agapetos Lote-Felo. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

James Martens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

James Martens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Dre-dyn Laban. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

James Martens scores. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Fergus Gillan. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Noah Rauluni. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Brody McLaren. ACT Brumbies vs. QLD U19s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography

James Martens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Charlie McCauley (right). Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Xavier Rubens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Brody McLaren. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Xavier Rubens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Finlay King scores. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Dre-dyn Laban. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Brody McLaren. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Samu Tuisau. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Brody McLaren. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

Xavier Rubens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.

James Martens. Super Rugby Under-19s action between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture credit: ACT Brumbies Media.