Standout forwards Kingsley Uys and Tom Robinson have been drafted from Australia’s all-conquering Under-18s into the biggest match of the season for the Queensland Under-19s.
The Reds face the NSW Waratahs in Sunday’s peak clash in the Super Rugby Men’s U19s at Norths Rugby Club in Brisbane from 2:05pm (Qld time).
Both prop Uys and flanker Robinson featured strongly in the breakthrough 38-31 victory by the Australian U18s over New Zealand Schools in Hamilton last weekend.
It reflects well on Paul Carozza, as the Reds’ Head of Talent Management, and Academy head coach Dale Roberson that the two exciting prospects are already in the Buildcorp Reds Academy with a clear pathway in Queensland rugby.
The duo will be high-impact figures off the bench on Sunday as will fellow Australian U18s tourist Jonah Rangiwai, a burly prop.
Uys had a major impact on the win over the Kiwis with a try and a key role in another, apart from his dominant scrummaging.
It’s easy to think of these young guns as only rugby players but Uys is still a schoolboy. He was back at The Southport School for biology class on Tuesday this week.
Reds U19s coach Dale Roberson has kept faith with the same pack that bankrolled a strong 53-12 win over the ACT Brumbies last weekend.
There has been a change at No.10 with centre Maddox Maclean shifting to flyhalf because Brody McLaren is resting a hamstring niggle.
Darcy Rowan has won a call-up at inside centre which means Maclean, Rowan and outside centre Xavier Rubens will form a cohesive Souths Colts core in the backline.
The Reds are yet to topple their Waratahs rivals in three meetings since the Super Rugby Men’s U19s was born in 2022.
“There’s always that interstate rivalry,” Roberson said.
“It’s always a strong test against a good NSW side and the boys are conscious of the record.
“We are really looking forward to Kingsley, Tom and Jonah stepping up from the U18s.”
In the Reds U16s, a new starting front-row has been selected with young giant Sio Kite, Adrian de Klerk and Harrison Asi.
It is a reflection of the team’s strength up front because the reserve front-row has the strength for high-impact from the bench.
At flyhalf, Ipswich Grammar’s Oliver Kennedy will take on the playmaker duties.
All Super Rugby U16s and U19s matches are available live and on-demand on Stan Sport.
Queensland Reds U19s v NSW Waratahs U19s
At Norths Rugby Club
Kick-off - 2:05pm, Sunday (Qld time)
1. Byron Murphy (Easts)
2. Finlay King (Wests)
3. Trevor King (Souths)
4. Fergus Gillan (Bond)
5. Charlie McCauley (Bond)
6. Charlie Brosnan (Brothers)
7. Noah Rauluni (Easts)
8. Vaiuta Latu (Brothers)
9. James Martens (Wests)
10. Maddox Maclean (Souths)
11. Samu Tuisau (UQ)
12. Darcy Rowan (Souths)
13. Xavier Rubens (Souths-captain)
14. Daniel Malum (Sunnybank)
15. Dre-Dyn Laban (Souths)
Reserves:
16. Cooper Hoare (Souths)
17. Kingsley Uys (TSS)
18. Jonah Rangiwai (TSS)
19. Tom Robinson (UQ)
20. Joel Broderick (Souths)
21. Callum Reidy (Norths)
22. Dominic Kallquist (Wests)
23. Netani Lesimaikimatuku (Sunnybank)
24th man - Jacob Job (Souths)
Queensland Reds U16s v NSW Waratahs U16s
Kick-off - 12.05 pm, Sunday (Qld time)
1.Harrison Asi (BBC)
2.Adrian de Klerk (SCGS)
3.Visesio Kite (Churchie / GPS)
4.Jack Calleja (IGS)
5.Manasa Railati Vunibola (BSHS / Souths)
6.Dyer Akauloa (BGS)
7.Lincoln Dalton (BGS)
8.Agapetos Lote – Felo (TSS / Gold Coast Eagles-captain)
9.Kobi Nouanrasy (Kings Christian College / Helensvale Hogs)
10.Oliver Kennedy (IGS)
11.Hemi Rakuita (IGS / Sunnybank)
12.Pierre Poluleuligaga (NC / Brothers)
13.Taione Taka (BBC)
14.Malakaih Beals (BSHS / Souths)
15.Dylan Terblanche (TSS)
Reserves:
16.Ruben Kruger (TGS / Toowoomba Bears)
17.Tyrece Herniman (BSHS / Sunnybank)
18.Gavin Wilson-Tyers (Downlands)
19.Jack Burton (NC)
20.Keegan Cook (TGS)
21.Alfie Bowman (Churchie)
22.Angus Underwood (Churchie / Easts)
23.Isaac Fidock (Somerset College)
