The Queensland Reds have officially announced their Super Rugby Pacific squad for the 2025 season, featuring promising young talents Trevor King and Will McCulloch from the Australian Under-20s team. The squad includes 19 players with Test experience, among them 18 Wallabies and former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen.
Notably, twelve players have surpassed 50 appearances for the Reds, including co-captain Tate McDermott, who will commence the 2025 season with 91 Queensland caps. Returning to the squad are Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Filipo Daugunu, while new signings such as Lachie Anderson, Josh Canham, Matt Gibbon, and Mason Gordon have already started matches as part of the Reds International Program.
The new faces in the squad include King and McCulloch, both of whom have yet to debut for the Reds, along with 23-year-old utility back Jude Gibbs from Sydney’s Northern Suburbs club. The Reds’ International Program continues to demonstrate its value, as seen in teen centre Dre Pakeho, who has built valuable experience by competing against national teams over recent months.
Head coach Les Kiss emphasized the team’s commitment to developing depth and resilience as they prepare for the upcoming season. He expressed his pleasure at giving King and McCulloch opportunities following their progress in the Reds Academy.
Kiss acknowledged the achievements of Gibbs in the Shute Shield competition, highlighting his versatility and skill set. McCulloch, reflecting on his journey, expressed motivation drawn from the successes of recent Academy graduates. King, at just 19, has already demonstrated his abilities with the Australian U20s.
Excitement builds as the Reds set to kick off their 2025 season against Moana Pasifika on February 21, following pre-season matches in Europe against Bristol and Ulster.
In summary, the Queensland Reds are making strides in fostering young talent and harnessing the experience of seasoned players, which bodes well for their upcoming Super Rugby season. With a blend of experience and youthful ambition, the team is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting year of rugby. Hope emerges from the continued investment in developing players from the grassroots level, setting the stage for a new generation of talent in Australian rugby.
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