Ryan Smith keen to lead Queensland Reds by example against Western Force

‘Massive’ thrill for lock Ryan Smith to captain the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby Pacific clash against Western Force.

Ryan Smith never gave himself a chance of playing for the Queensland Reds, let alone captaining them.

It was therefore a “massive” honour and privilege for the 28-year-old lock this week when he was told he would be Queensland’s skipper for Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific clash against Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.

“It’s really cool,” Smith said on Friday.

“I probably never thought I'd even play for the Reds. so to have a few milestones over the last few years has been really special.

“My 50th was really special and now to be able to captain the team at Suncorp Stadium for a Super Rugby game, it’s really massive and I’m really honoured to take on the role, and I’m definitely going to do my best to do it justice.”
Smith was given the captaincy after Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson, who led the Reds in last Saturday’s 29-23 win over the Highlanders, was rested.

Wilson had led the side in Dunedin in the absence of co-captains Tate McDermott (rested and Liam Wright (injured shoulder), and vice-captain Fraser McReight (injured AC joint).

Ready to go again 🐨

See you tomorrow Reds fam pic.twitter.com/of8B7FGW1e

— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) March 28, 2025

Of that trio, only halfback McDermott will return against the Force, but will come off the bench following last weekend’s fine performance in the No.9 jersey from Kalani Thomas.

“Kalani showed that he’s a class player, and any time that he gets an opportunity in the jersey, he takes it with both hands and does a fantastic job,” Smith said.

“He’ll really relish the opportunity and as he did last week, he’ll play really well.

“Tate, he’s business as usual in a slightly different role, and the way Super Rugby’s been going this year, the refs are really looking for that quick time in between plays, so to be able to speed it up, and create opportunities for those fast guys at the back end of a game to really turn it, that’s a massive opportunity for Tate.

“He does that in the first five minutes of games against fresh opposition, so for him to be able to come on at the end of the game to help us close it out hopefully, and to be able to show us how good he is, is going to be really cool this weekend as well.”

The Reds are chasing a third successive win, and a second victory over the Force this season, having beaten them 28-24 in Perth on March 1.

“They’ve got a really great set piece, so that’s going to be a key area for us to try to combat that.” Smith said.

Originally published as Ryan Smith keen to lead Queensland Reds by example against Western Force