Standout forward Charlie Brosnan will make his comeback from a six-month injury when the Queensland Reds open their Super Rugby Men’s U19s campaign in Canberra on Saturday.
Brosnan, 19, is raring to go after his diligent rehabilitation from the dislocated hip he suffered in the Brothers-Randwick Australian Club Championship match in March.
The 1.96m forward has been selected at flanker for the Reds’ first game against the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park after having a first round bye.
“I can’t wait to get started and play some good footy because it was pretty tough missing those months,” Brosnan said.
Up front, the Reds U19s will be anchored by Australian Under-20s prop Trevor King. His dynamism close to the tryline is an asset along with the experience he gained in the set pieces for Souths during the StoreLocal Hospital Cup season.
The selectors have also rewarded winger Samuela Tuisau with a starting spot after his eye-catching breakout season for University of Queensland. He scored 10 tries in 10 games with his speed, balance, footwork and ability to bust tackles.
Sunnybank’s Brody McLaren will start at flyhalf after Will Nason fractured his jaw during an accidental collision at training last week.
Xavier Rubens, who played some impressive first grade with Souths this season, will captain the side from outside centre.
It will be a tough first-up match against the defending champions, who opened their campaign with a dominant 53-23 win over the Western Force last weekend.
The Reds U16s will be skippered by Agapetos Lote-Felo, the strong-running No.8 from The Southport School who starred at the recent Buildcorp Emerging Reds Cup.
The Super Rugby U16s and U19s are exciting pathways to develop the next generation of talent in Queensland rugby.
All Super Rugby U16s and U19s matches are available live and on-demand on Stan Sport.
Reds U19s v Brumbies U19s
Kick-off - 1:05pm
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. Charlie Cooke (Wests)
8. Vaiuta Latu (Brothers)
9. James Martens (Wests)
10. Brody McLaren (Sunnybank)
11. Samuela Tuisau (UQ)
12. Maddox Maclean (Souths)
13. Xavier Rubens (Souths-captain)
14. Daniel Malum (Sunnybank)
15. Dre-Dyn Laban (Souths)
Reserves:
16. Cooper Hoare (Souths)
17. Jacob Job (Souths)
18. Jovid Aveau (Norths)
19. Rory Bliss (Wests)
20. Noah Rauluni (Easts)
21. Joel Broderick (Souths)
22. Callum Reidy (Norths)
23. Dominic Kallquist (Wests)
Reds U16s v Brumbies U16s
Kick-off - 11.05 AM
1. Ritchie Bourne (GSLC, Noosaville)
2. Ruben Kruger (TGS / Toowoomba Bears)
3. Tyrece Herniman (BSHS / Sunnybank)
4. Jack Calleja (IGS)
5. Rupeni Baravilala (TGS / Toowoomba Bears)
6. Manasa Railati Vunibola (BSHS / Souths)
7. Keegan Cook (TGS)
8. Agapetos Lote – Felo (Captain) (TSS / Gold Coast Eagles)
9. Alfie Bowman (Churchie)
10. Rohan Nichol (SCGS)
11. Isaac Fidock (Somerset College)
12. Pierre Poluleuligaga (NC / Brothers)
13. Taione Taka (BBC/ Wests)
14. Malakaih Beals (BSHS / Souths)
15. Dylan Terblanche (Vice Captain) (TSS)
16. Aiden Luke (NC)
Reserves
17. Harrison Asi (BBC)
18. Visesio Kite (Churchie / GPS)
19. Jack Burton (NC)
20. Dyer Akauloa (BGS)
21. Kobi Nouanrasy (KCC / Helensvale Hogs)
22. Angus Underwood (Churchie / Easts)
23. Hemi Rakuita (IGS / Sunnybank)
