Queensland Reds 2026

[TSR]

I think Blake is passable, but I agree he doesn’t look to me he’s going to ever be a world beater.

I think a big question is whether Sef can hold off Father Time. Two years ago I thought he was playing the best I’d seen him play. Last year I thought he regresssed a bit.

Either way you’re right - if Hodgman is okay we’re probably not too bad. I’m hoping no news is good news on that front (similiar with Liam Wright).

 

[Major Tom]

On a separate note - wasn’t Bloomfield a LHP as a junior, or am I recalling wrong. Even if I am I would have thought the Reds would be trying to push one of Bloomfield or King that way. We have 4 promising THPs. Nonggorr is already a test prop, De Lutiis is well on his way. Things can change quickly so I certainly don’t want the Reds to get complacent - but it seems to me there is potential benefit for both the Reds and the players for one of the younger props to change sides. I know Uys is coming but he is still a while away yet.

We do seem to be stacked on one side (THP). King already at 127kg I think he’s better suited where he is. But I think he has played both sides. Bloomfield might be able to play there. If Ross, Blake and Sef can stay healthy we should manage. Im not holding out hope for Hodgman tbh. He hasn’t played for ages.

 

[Major Tom]

I think they have played with it a bit in training but with Uys coming through I don't think they want to force it and risk losing one of them just yet. I expect one will make the shift eventually, but right now it's probably more about getting them a footing at this level and then managing the change of side through the club season. Also for all the (justified) talk of Uys, there's Tito Hamala coming through at the same time, who looks very promising and plays in a 1st XV front row with Slater and Rauluni. There's every chance they're pretty keen to bring that Nudgee front row through all together.

The real missing link right now is a solid, reliable, late 20s guy to round out the senior squad while the young talent comes through. It's not too big a deal if Hodgman is okay to continue playing, but assuming he's not then they'll probably need to bring someone in, regardless of whether or not King/Bloomfield can take to loosehead - neither could be ready in time. Maybe Blake will come good and it won't be so much of an issue, but I remain very unconvinced.

Hadn’t heard of Tito Hamala. Grade 11 or 12?
*edit I see he played the NZ schoolboys game.

 

[Wilson]

Hadn’t heard of Tito Hamala. Grade 11 or 12?

not sure, but I think he's 18 this year - he was the bench loosehead for the Aus under 18s this year behind Uys.

 

[Red Runner]

King had a game at LHP for the 20s this year and got worked over big time.

 

[TSR]

Hadn’t heard of Tito Hamala. Grade 11 or 12?
*edit I see he played the NZ schoolboys game.

Grade 12 I believe.

I was lucky enough to play with and coach his dad. He was massive too and played 12. Hell of a nice bloke but In glad I never had to tackle him.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

With a good number in the system it’s about who is signed up for enough to stay. Won’t keep all of them as other sides will offer more and some won’t kick on to the pro level. It’s always been way that not every star youth becomes the star pro for whatever reason and at times doesn’t make sense.

More avenues to make a dollar these days and become a pro but not in the sense of us fans who want the Super Rugby side to succeed and the Wallabies improve.

 

[Wilson]

Reds have posted a video of all the tries from the game:

Mackay looked very slick and clearly had a license to play wide, which might be an indication we can expect to see more of it next year.

 

[Red Runner]

Heard Rubens was excellent as well and is really climbing up the pecking order. Goldsborough back this weekend but assume must minutes from the bench.

are the Aussie A guys back? So perhaps

1 Blake
2 Fourie
3 King
4 Muller
5 Vest
6 Uru
7 Herbert
8 Brial
9 Martens
10 HMP
11 Ryan
12 Pakeho
13 Henry
14 Anderson
15 Murray

16 Hough
17 JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen)
18 Bloomfield
19 Brosnan
20 Latu
21 Urquhart I guess
22 Goldsborough
23 Rubens

 

[Trev]

Heard Rubens was excellent as well and is really climbing up the pecking order. Goldsborough back this weekend but assume must minutes from the bench.

are the Aussie A guys back? So perhaps

1 Blake
2 Fourie
3 King
4 Muller
5 Vest
6 Uru
7 Herbert
8 Brial
9 Martens
10 HMP
11 Ryan
12 Pakeho
13 Henry
14 Anderson
15 Murray

16 Hough
17 JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen)
18 Bloomfield
19 Brosnan
20 Latu
21 Urquhart I guess
22 Goldsborough
23 Rubens

I would have Mackay at 10. A decent team considering the squad playing the Japan test. 2026 has a good feel.

 

[Adam84]

I wouldn’t throw any of the Aus A into the starting team given the turnaround, maybe a couple off the bench. Wouldn’t be surprised if they let them extend in Japan and take a bit of a holiday even.

Might also depend on what the agreement is with Panasonic, maybe they have an obligation to name a at strength side where possible.

 

[The Phoenix]

Heard Rubens was excellent as well and is really climbing up the pecking order. Goldsborough back this weekend but assume must minutes from the bench.

are the Aussie A guys back? So perhaps

1 Blake
2 Fourie
3 King
4 Muller
5 Vest
6 Uru
7 Herbert
8 Brial
9 Martens
10 HMP
11 Ryan
12 Pakeho
13 Henry
14 Anderson
15 Murray

16 Hough
17 JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen)
18 Bloomfield
19 Brosnan
20 Latu
21 Urquhart I guess
22 Goldsborough
23 Rubens

I went to the game - great crowd and atmosphere. Reds were way too fit and way too fast for Wild Knights. The first half our forwards destroyed theirs but Wild Knights changed the pack in second half and it was more even, although Reds were still stronger. Our backs looked great but the standouts for me were Maartens, who was superb, Mckay, Rubens (really suprised me) and Murray.
Great weekend of rugby with Australia, NZ and USA women's squads playing as well.
Brilliant job by Downs Rugby.

 

[Wilson]

Berrick Barnes (now backs coach for Saitama) was very complimentary of Mackay's performance:

“That’s as good a young 10 performance as I’ve seen from anyone in a long time,” Barnes said.

“Yes, the team was going forward … but the decisions he made, and he’s your fourth string 10, Jesus you’ve got some riches.”

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/10/21/a-great-coup-ex-wallabies-star-backs-gordon-to-succeed-hails-emergence-of-latest-teenage-queensland-star/

Was also pretty happy to see Carter Gordon back in Australian rugby after having coached him at the world cup. I had forgotten that Barnes was coaching over Japan, he's still pretty early on as a full fledged assistant coach, but he'll be one to keep an eye on going forward.

 

[Red Runner]

I wouldn’t throw any of the Aus A into the starting team given the turnaround, maybe a couple off the bench. Wouldn’t be surprised if they let them extend in Japan and take a bit of a holiday even.

Might also depend on what the agreement is with Panasonic, maybe they have an obligation to name a at strength side where possible.

As its a capped game, I think you've got to pick your strongest available team. I think HMP plays. But there's probably a good chance Pritchard plays too as we don't have much back three depth at the moment. A few guys still seem injured.

 

[Wilson]

As its a capped game, I think you've got to pick your strongest available team. I think HMP plays. But there's probably a good chance Pritchard plays too as we don't have much back three depth at the moment. A few guys still seem injured.

I don't think there's much debate about that, the question is more how many of those Aus A guys will be available. It's likely that at least a few of them will stay in Japan for the week to train with the Wallabies and even those that don't might be entitled to some leave at this point. A lot probably depends on when they get back and into training, but anyone who's not back now is unlikely to be starting.

That said the recent Aus A season will make it easier for them to slot back in on a short turn around. I'd still be a bit surprised if all of Uru, Brial, Ryan, Anderson and McLaughlin-Phillips played (and particularly started) though.

 

[Wilson]

Good discussion with Cordingley from the Japanese perspective:

Q&A with Reds GM Sam Cordingley

Japan hosts the Wallabies on Saturday at the National Stadium in Tokyo while former League One champions Saitama Wild Knights face Super Rugby outfit Queensland Reds in Australia. RugbyJP.com had opportunity to speak to Queensland Reds’ General Manager (High Performance) Sam Cordingley (below)...

www.rugbyjp.com

Looks like they're planning on getting the player/coach loans going with Saitama the same as Benetton:

RJP: Are you open to sending players on loan to Japan for a season and vice versa? Have you discussed this with Saitama?

SC: Yes, we have had a few false starts early on the back of the COVID period. It won't be far away, we are in dialogue all the time on opportunities for players and staff to cross over programs.

Not exactly sure how it would work with the simultaneous seasons, but it's good to see it's being explored. Could be a good opportunity for guys like Robinson, Martens and Mackay while they're still young and down the depth chart here.

He also talks about wanting some sort of crossover/cross-border comp with the league one sides, and interestingly references World Rugby plans around transfer fees:

Queensland Rugby has become one of the biggest developers and exporters of talent. We are proud of our players and coaches who move on to other opportunities- it is certainly not possible to retain everyone and the door is also open for their return. That said, there is a significant financial cost that comes with that development and we are pleased to learn that World Rugby plans to modernise regulation 4.7, which allows for compensation for locally developed talent who depart overseas.

This could just be a reference to the general talk in the media, but it might also be an indication that there's something a bit more concrete in the pipeline.

 

[PhilClinton]

As long as Saitama send us the next Goromaru I'll be happy

 

[seabasss]

Been a while since I've check in of this forum, but I can't believe the Reds signed Volavola. Is it actually official, as in have the Reds themselves announced it?

I've never rated him and don't think he offers anything to the squad, especially with the Gordon signing.

 

[Red Runner]

Reds haven't announced but given apparently Carter Gordon happened very fast, I expect it was in play before Carter happened.

 

[Adam84]

It would seem they've done a bit of retention and signing, which hasn't been announced. I'm guessing this applies to guys like Volavola and retaining others like Anderson and HMP.