The Queensland Reds Under-16s will launch their season on Friday against Victoria on a packed day at Ballymore Stadium.
The Super Rugby U16s match from 1:40pm AEST will be the climax of a day that opens with a Reds Academy U14s Development match (10am) and a Queensland vs NSW match in U15s (noon).
The KDL Property Group Emerging Reds Cup was a showcase of the best U16s talent from across the state for three days last week.
Reds U16s coach Welmar Du Plessis is now eager to get started in the four-match Super Rugby U16s which culminates in a grand final.
"We saw some excellent performances in the ERC. It's fair to say some players who weren't on our radar forced their way into the U16s squad with the way they played," Du Plessis said.
"We'll have had just three training sessions so this first game is one we are really looking forward to as we bring the team together even more.
"As our first game, we want to really do well with our basics and play good, direct footy.
"The Victorians have a decent-sized pack and a strong scrum so that first challenge is to dominate up front.
"We have two strong hookers in Noah Gaffney and Xavier Hill."
Gaffney will captain the side on Friday.
With Nudgee College flyhalf Chilli Tonelli-Smith sidelined with a head knock, Sunshine Coast Grammar's Charlie Meredith steps up at No.10 for Friday.
James Smith will play at fullback. Townsville's tall finisher Tom Tugai has been included on the bench.
1:40pm Friday, October 3
Ballymore Stadium
Live on Stan Sport and livestream on rugby.com.au YouTube
1 Moses Faleafa | Brisbane Boys' College
2 Noah Gaffney | Brisbane Grammar
3 Nate Te Whitu | Toowoomba Grammar
4 Denver Bradford | Nudgee College
5 Nathan Van Huyssteen | Brisbane Boys' College
6 Charlie Grieves | Nudgee College
7 Henry Willis | Brisbane State High
8 Dylan Goodwin | Nudgee College
9 Harry Dowling | The Southport School
10 Charlie Meredith | Sunshine Coast Grammar
11 Seth Chapman | Toowoomba Grammar
12 Kyron Arthy | Redcliffe State High
13 Sangwani Chinula | Brisbane Grammar
14 Mitchell Durrheim | Brisbane State High
15 James Smith | The Southport School
Reserves
16 Xavier Hill | Nudgee College
17 Mitch Wallis | St Patrick's' Shorncliffe
18 Harry O'Hare | Nudgee College
19 Fraser Boakes | Brisbane State High
20 Ryker Smith | Noosa Dolphins
21 Ralph Labor | Brisbane Grammar
22 Lucas Humphrys | Padua College
23 Tom Tugai | Kirwin State High School
NSW Waratahs vs Queensland Reds - 2.10pm Saturday, 11 October - Forshaw Park, Sydney
Western Force vs Queensland Reds - 1pm Sunday, 19 October - Southern Lions RUFC, Perth
Queensland Reds vs ACT Brumbies - 10am Saturday, 25 October - Ballymore Stadium
GRAND FINAL - Sunday, 2 November - TBC v TBC
