Queensland Reds season preview: Rd1 team revealed; son of a gun Tom Lynagh to start

The Queensland Reds have unveiled their matchday 23 to tackle the New South Wales Waratahs in this Saturday’s bumper season opener at Suncorp Stadium. See the team and read the season preview here.

The Queensland Reds are ready to rumble for round one of the Super Rugby Pacific season this Saturday against the Waratahs.

A 20-year-old with arguably the best kicking game of any flyhalf in the nation has won the race to Queensland’s coveted No.10 jersey.

Tom Lynagh, son of Queensland Reds great Michael, has been given the green light to steer the Queensland Reds on Saturday night when the Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.

The slick-passing Lynagh leapfrogged Harry McLaughlin-Phillips for the starting position yet the Brisbane Boys’ College old boy will likely make his first Super Rugby appearance at 19 off the bench.

With James O’Connor sidelined until at least Round Four, it will be the two young gun flyhalves, Lynagh and McLaughlin-Phillips, leading the Reds in a new era for Queensland under new head coach Les Kiss.

“I’ve got good options at No.10 and this week it is Tom Lynagh’s opportunity,” Kiss said.

“He’s familiar with what it takes at Super Rugby level after his debut season in 2023 and he’ll bring that experience to the game.”

Both Lynagh (20) and McLaughlin-Phillips (19) still can’t legally drink in America.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips could make his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench this weekend for Queensland.

But Lynagh has 12 caps to his name while McLaughlin-Phillips, a Junior Wallaby, made his Queensland debut last year against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights where he looked ready for the top level.

Lynagh said the ongoing competition for the No.10 jersey within the squad had been a positive.

“It’s good we have that competition. It drives us all to be better and even with James (O’Connor) injured he has been passing on his knowledge,” Lynagh said.

“I do feel I learnt a lot from last season in our good moments as a team and also in the tough losses. Taking a bit more control on the field is one area of development.

“I’ve enjoyed connecting with all the new coaches for a fresh season.”

Brothers premiership winner Lawson Creighton was left out of the matchday 23 announced today by the Reds ahead of the blockbuster opener to the season.

Jock Campbell will start on the bench behind livewire outside back Jordan Petaia who has been given the No.15 jersey.

Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss at training. Pictures: Qld Rugby Union.

Melbourne Storm premiership winner Suliasi Vunivalu and Mac Grealy will start on each wing. It’s a nice nod to Grealy and his workrate to get his best opportunity yet in Maroon colours.

Grealy, a Souths Toowoomba junior, has 14 Reds caps to his name but this is his chance to make that No.11 jersey his and fend off internal competition to keep it.

Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott has been named at No.9 and co-captain with Liam Wright.

Former All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman, 30, will make his debut as a Queensland Reds player after previous Super Rugby stints with the Crusaders and Blues in New Zealand.

McLaughlin-Phillips, backrower John Bryant and Irish lock Cormac Daly can all make their Super Rugby Pacific debuts.

Bryant, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday, was a schoolboy rugby prodigy for St Laurence’s College and must have impressed Kiss with his line-bending to make the side.

Fijian Seru Uru will start at lock for the Reds on Saturday. Photo: Brendan Hertel, Rugby Australia.

THE TEAM

Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs

Saturday 24 February

Suncorp Stadium

7.05pm AEST

1. Alex Hodgman**

2. Matt Faessler

3. Zane Nonggorr

4. Seru Uru

5. Ryan Smith

6. Liam Wright (cc)

7. Fraser McReight

8. Harry Wilson

9. Tate McDermott (cc)

10. Tom Lynagh

11. Mac Grealy

12. Hunter Paisami

13. Josh Flook

14. Suliasi Vunivalu

15. Jordan Petaia

Reserves:

16. Josh Nasser

17. Peni Ravai

18. Sef Fa’agase

19. Cormac Daly*

20. John Bryant*

21. Kalani Thomas

22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips*

23. Jock Campbell

*Potential Super Rugby Pacific debut

**Queensland Reds debut

ROUND ONE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson

Harry Wilson of the Reds. Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

One of them was a Wallaby at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the other will be eager to put his name forward for the next one, which is hosted by Australia in 2027.

Wallaby McReight and forgotten Wallaby Wilson, both Brothers boys, are the nucleus of the Reds forward pack and have been Queensland’s favourite sons in recent time.

Flanker McReight’s breakdown brilliance and No.8 Wilson’s hard running and offloading ability will be crucial to Queensland’s chances of getting off on the right foot in season 2024.

Hunter Paisami

Hunter Paisami (right) will be keen to make up for lost time. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Returning from an injury which prevented him from Rugby World Cup action, barnstorming inside centre Hunter Paisami will be on a mission to make up for lost time.

One of the hardest-hitting defenders in the whole competition, Paisami will have his hands full locking down the Waratahs centres Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese.

He is the man for the job.

Jordan Petaia

Jordan Petaia and Samu Kerevi of Australia. Picture by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

The electric Wallabies outside back has been entrusted with the fullback jersey ahead of Jock Campbell and has the perfect chance to wow the crowd at Suncorp Stadium.

Fans will be hungry to see counterattacking rugby following the latest offside rule change.

Previously the law stated that players in front of the kicker could be put onside as soon as the kick receiver had either passed the ball or run five metres with the ball.

However, in response to feedback from fans saying they wanted to see running rugby, Super Rugby Pacific’s offside law has now scrapped that law meaning defenders will remain offside until they have been put onside by a teammate who has come from behind the kicker, or the kicker themself.

Watch for Petaia, still just 23 years of age, to take full advantage.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

John Bryant

St Laurence’s College old boy John Bryant in action during the 2019 AIC First XV rugby season.

The mammoth 21-year-old from Souths Rugby club can play anywhere in the backrow and could well make his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench.

Against tired bodies is where this mobile man mountain can make a difference when the Reds need it most.

Tom Lynagh

Tom Lynagh of the Reds. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

Flyhalf Lynagh has been selected over McLaughlin-Phillips and Lawson Creighton and can play his best footy knowing Les Kiss has put his trust in him.

Lynagh is bigger and stronger than he was last season where he was exposed for weak defence.

But after a strong preseason where clearly he made an impression, the son of a gun will have the eyes of all rugby supporters in Queensland fixated with how he fares against a more experienced Tane Edmed of the ‘Tahs.