The balance and power to the missile-like runs of Queensland Under-19s winger Ilan Cloete owe much to his judo background.
The compact finisher has been one of the finds of Super Rugby AUS under his distinctive multi-coloured headgear.
Like the rest of the Reds U19s, he will be heading to Perth determined to produce the best team performance of their Super Rugby U19s campaign against the Western Force on Sunday.
The Reds have scored some excellent tries and built some dangerous momentum for certain periods but not nearly enough for a complete performance.
Losses to the ACT Brumbies (26-17) and NSW Waratahs (57-17) have stung the Reds and there will be a sharp focus on lifting all aspects of their game against the Force U19s.
Cloete is juggling two sports. He is a four-time national champion in judo in the junior men's U20s division at Under-90kg, most recently on the Gold Coast in June.
"I came back to rugby this year after two years concentrating on judo. That background in judo has helped so much with balance, strength and core stability," Cloete said.
"I definitely wouldn't be where I am now without it."
Former All Blacks prop Steve McDowall took a background in judo into a winning 1987 World Cup.
A centre with Easts Colts, Cloete has been recommissioned as a winger for this tournament.
"It's my first time playing on the wing so there has been plenty to get used to. The coaches have been really good with advice, feedback and 'extras'," Cloete said.
"We've been pretty disappointed with our two performances so we want to bounce back and show our best in Perth."
The South African-born teenager was home schooled in Johannesburg before arriving in Brisbane in 2017 with his family and making his mark at Redlands College.
Easts prop Craig Rowsell and Wests lock Will Pascoe come into the starting side for Perth while Tom Howard switches from fullback to the wing. Charlie Bird will play fullback after being used at flyhalf in previous matches.
Off the bench, University of Queensland lock Mitch Waldon will play his first minutes of the competition.
No.8 Angus Kelly has been a standout for the Reds in their two games with his physicality, urging and intent around the ball.
Western Force U19s vs Queensland Reds U19s
Tompkins Park, Perth
2:30pm AEST Sunday, September 28
Stan Sport and rugby.com.au YouTube
Queensland Reds U19s
1 Jacob Job - Wests
2 Will Pamenter - Wests
3 Craig Rowsell - Easts
4 Kenny Harris - Bond University
5 Will Pascoe - Wests
6 Keanu Rasch - Bond University
7 Joe Stoddart - Easts
8 Angus Kelly (vc) - University of Queensland
9 James Prole - GPS
10 Netani Lesimaikimatuku - Sunnybank
11 Tom Howard - University of Queensland
12 Ryan Heaton (c) - Norths
13 Josh Takai - Brothers
14 Ilan Cloete - Easts
15 Charlie Bird - Wests
Reserves
16 Reuben Downes - GPS
17 Lucas Oxley - Souths
25 Salesi Kali - Wests
19 Mitch Waldon - University of Queensland
20 Trent Picot - Souths
21 Stanley Keats - Wests
22 Tom Lambo - Easts
23 David Colaivalu - Wests
24 Jake Leck - Bond University
