NewsBite

Super Rugby

Rugby
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: Tate McDermott of the Reds passes the ball during the round two Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium, on February 21, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Wallabies half named on Reds bench

Kalani Thomas has kept his place in Queensland’s starting team for Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific clash against Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.

Rugby
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: Liam Wright of the Reds is interviewed during the round two Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium, on February 21, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Wright close to returning for Reds

As desperate as Liam Wright is to return from a shoulder injury for the Reds, the Queenslanders aren’t expected to risk him while there is any doubt over his fitness.

Rugby
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Coach Les Kiss of the Reds is seen during the warm up before the round 12 Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium, on May 10, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Wallabies skipper won’t pressure Reds coach

Reds mentor Les Kiss is considered the favourite to replace Joe Schmidt as Wallabies mentor, but for now his sole focus is guiding Queensland to Super Rugby Pacific glory, according to Australia’s captain, Harry Wilson.

Rugby
Australia's Maddison Levi (L) runs past France's Hawa Tounkara (R) to score a try during the third place play-off of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series women's rugby match between France and Australia at the Cape Town stadium in Cape Town on December 8, 2024. (Photo by Rodger Bosch / AFP)

Aussie star’s big World Cup move

After being crowned the best Rugby Sevens player in the world an Australian try-scoring machine is taking a big step towards possibly earning a World Cup spot.

Rugby
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 31:  Josh Flook of the Reds scores a try during the round 15 Super Rugby Pacific match between NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium, on May 31, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

‘Daunting’ task awaits Reds

If the Queensland Reds are to remain alive in the Super Rugby Pacific finals series, they must do what they couldn’t achieve last year against the same team at the same venue.

Rugby
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 24: Liam Wright of the Reds Fergus Lee-Warner of the Waratahs challenge for the ball during the round one Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium, on February 24, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia.  (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Reds primed for interstate grudge match

Regardless of where the Reds and the Waratahs are placed on the ladder, whenever they meet, it’s the ‘most important game in the calendar for Australian rugby’, according to Queensland coach Les Kiss.

Rugby
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 03: Waratahs coach Darren Coleman during the round 11 Super Rugby Pacific match between Hurricanes and NSW Waratahs at Sky Stadium, on May 03, 2024, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

NSW coach cops the axe

He had to loan players from other clubs to cover for injuries this year but that excuse didn’t help the Waratahs coach keep his job.

Rugby
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Tate McDermott of the Reds runs with the ball during the round four Super Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds at AAMI Park, on March 15, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Reds make mass changes

With Reds coach Les Kiss wanting to ‘refresh’ some players, he has made a host of changes to Queensland’s starting team.

Rugby
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 04: Kurtley Beale of the Western Force warms up during the round 11 Super Rugby Pacific match between Chiefs and Western Force at FMG Stadium Waikato, on May 04, 2024, in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

Returning Beale must ‘find his feet’

Kurtley Beale hasn’t played for the Wallabies in two and a half years, but new national coach Joe Schmidt has been keeping a keen interest in the veteran’s progress at Western Force.

Rugby
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: Tom Lynagh of the Reds kicks during the round two Super Rugby Pacific match between Hurricanes and Queensland Reds at AAMI Park, on March 03, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Reds lose hamstrung Lynagh

The Reds have lost a key member of their side but will welcome back a Wallabies flanker for their clash with the Crusaders.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/super-rugby