Standout Ilan Cloete has been re-programmed from wing to flanker for Queensland's Super Rugby Next Gen squad for the upcoming three-round series.
Cloete features in the squad of 30 named today for the Super Rugby Next Gen series which will be played in a new early-season slot to replace last year's Super Rugby Under-19s competition.
The Next Gen Reds will face the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday before matches against the NSW Waratahs in Brisbane (February 15) and the Western Force in Perth (February 21).
Cloete's imposing play on the wing was a feature when the Reds U19s were at their best last year.
With Nicholas Conway, Treyvon Pritchard, Tom Howard and Nic Lynagh all wing candidates as well, Reds Next Gen coach Dale Roberson said how to best utilise Cloete's strong assets became a discussion point.
"I had a chat to Ilan at the end of last year about whether he'd be open to playing flanker. He was keen and said it was his position before some time at inside centre and his Reds U19s time on the wing," Roberson said.
"From the wing, he showed how good he was over the ball for turnovers and his post-contact metres when running were impressive too.
"Both translate well to flanker and he's been a really diligent learner since the start of Next Gen training."
Cloete's elite background in judo as a multiple national champion at junior men's U20s level feeds into the balanced power to his game and his low-to-the-ground skills.
Angus Kelly is another making the most of a longer-term positional switch. After his school days at Gregory Terrace in the centres, the blond-haired forward was excellent at No.8 for the Reds U19s last year.
Left-footer Finn Mackay, after an impressive start for the Reds in the uncapped game against Japan's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Toowoomba last October, will be a class act to run the show from flyhalf.
Alfie Bowman and James Prole offer two good halfback options in the squad.
Roberson applauded the new timing for the three-round series ahead of selections for the Australia Under-20s squad.
"It's awesome. It gives real meaning to pre-season with the game prep and the chances to press for inclusion in the Australia U20s squad for the Junior World Championships (in Georgia)," Roberson said.
QUEENSLAND REDS - SUPER RUGBY NEXT GEN SQUAD
Alfie Bowman
Charlie Brosnan
Ilan Cloete
Nicholas Conway
Frankie Goldsbrough
Teina Graham
John Grenfell
Kenneth Harris
Ryan Heaton
Charlie Hollyman
Tom Howard
Jacob Job
Angus Kelly
Trevor King
Nic Lynagh
Finn Mackay
Sam McGahan
Ollie Nasser
Will Pascoe
Treyvon Pritchard
James Prole
Jonah Rangiwai
Isaac Rauluni
Tom Robinson
Will Ross
Levi Slater
Cooper Stewart
Tai Taka
Josh Takai
Kingsley Uys
Mitch Waldon
ROUND 1
ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds - Sun 8 Feb - Canberra
ROUND 2
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs - Sun 15 Feb - Brisbane
ROUND 3
Western Force v Queensland Reds - 21/22 Feb - Perth
