A core of high-performers from last year’s victorious Australia Under-18s have been selected for Queensland’s opening game in the Super Rugby Next Gen series.
Sunday afternoon’s match at 1:15pm AEST will pitch the young Reds into a match against the ACT Brumbies Next Gen line-up in Canberra.
Treyvon Pritchard will demonstrate his versatility with a start at inside centre after time at fullback and on the wing in Queensland Reds sides over the past four months.
Pritchard was one of the stars of the Australia U18s when they twice toppled New Zealand Secondary Schools in convincing style last year.
Flyhalf Finn Mackay, prop Kingsley Uys, lock Will Ross, fullback Nicholas Conway, hooker Isaac Rauluni and prop Levi Slater join him from that national U18s starting side.
In addition, 2024 Australia U18s captain Tom Robinson, already with a full Reds cap to his name last year, will play in Sunday’s backrow.
All have been harnessed for development through the Buildcorp Reds Academy or advanced by training as part of the full Reds senior squad.
Pritchard will be paired in the centres with Frankie Goldsbrough, a partnership which will make Churchie rugby lovers proudest of all.
Both are products of the famous school rugby nursery.
The three-round Next Gen series is strategically replacing the Super Rugby U19s competition.
That serves two positive purposes…a primary focus on the U20s age group in an early-season competition can channel players directly into the Australia U20s for The Rugby Championship U20s in April and the Junior World Championships in Georgia.
Clubs are also permitted to field a small number of players over the age of 20 to enhance development of players for Super Rugby.
The strong-running Goldsbrough turned 20 in January and this rugby is perfect for him to find his playing rhythm after an injury-disrupted 2025.
The Next Gen Reds will benefit from some established combinations with the starting front-row of Uys, Rauluni and Slater having scrummaged together since their schoolboy representative days.
Mackay’s calm direction from No.10 will enhance the side for sure.
Over-confidence is unwarranted because the Brumbies, with former University of Queensland flyhalf Chase Oates at No.10, toppled the Reds U19s 26-17 at Ballymore Stadium last September.
1:15pm AEST, Sunday
Canberra
Livestream on Rugby.com.au YouTube and Rugby Xplorer
1 Kingsley Uys - Bond University
2 Isaac Rauluni - Easts
3 Levi Slater - Easts
4 Will Ross - Brothers
5 Kenneth Harris - Bond University
6 Tom Robinson - University of Queensland
7 Ilan Cloete - Easts
8 Angus Kelly - University of Queensland
9 Alfie Bowman - Easts
10 Finn Mackay - Souths
11 Taione Taka - Brothers
12 Treyvon Pritchard - Brothers
13 Frankie Goldsbrough - Easts
14 Tom Howard - University of Queensland
15 Nicholas Conway Brothers
Reserves
16 Charlie Hollyman - University of Queensland
17 Jacob Job - Wests
18 Trevor King - Souths
19 Will Pascoe - Wests
20 Charlie Brosnan - Brothers
21 Cooper Stewart - University of Queensland
22 Josh Takai - Brothers
23 Nic Lynagh - University of Queensland
Head Coach Dale Roberson - Reds Academy
Assistant Coach Cian O'Connor - Wests
Assistant Coach Anthony Mathison
