Paul Carozza will be Brad Thorn's right hand man at the Reds in 2018, news that will be music to every Queensland rugby fan's ears.
The pair have proven to be a dynamic duo in the last two years, steering Queensland's U20s to consecutive undefeated, title winning seasons before taking the reins at Queensland Country and working wonders there.
Thorn has regularly credited Carozza as an integral part of his rise to the head coaching ranks and the Reds announced Thorn's right hand man as one of two assistant coaches in their squad drop on Wednesday.
Thorn will also be flanked by former Rebels coach Tony McGahan, with 2017 assistant coach Jason Gilmore taking on a role as head of the Reds' Elite Youth Development pathway.
There are no major surprises among the full playing squad, with the only fresh faces that haven't already been made public former Brumbies and Stormers prop JP Smith and standout NSW Country Eagles hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa.
Smith will provide cover for Taniela Tupou, who is the hot favourite to start at tighthead alongside James Slipper at loosehead.
The signing of Paenga-Amosa is particularly astute, though, as the 21-year-old is more than capable of taking on Alex Mafi and Andrew Ready in the fight for the starting hooker job.
All three have the potential to make the top job their own and that will be an intriguing battle as the season rolls along.
SQUAD
Reds 2018 Super Rugby squad
Props
Sef Fa’agase, University of Queensland, Shailer Park State School
Harry Hoopert, (new signing), Brothers, Toowoomba Grammar School
James Slipper, Bond University, The Southport School
J.P. Smith (new signing),TBC
Taniela Tupou, Brothers, Sacred Heart College
Markus Vanzati, Souths, Toowoomba Grammar School
Hookers
Alex Mafi, Bond University, St. Joseph’s Nudgee College
Andrew Ready, Easts St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (new signing), Southern Districts, NSW Endeavour Sports High School
Locks
Angus Blyth (new signing), Bond University, The Southport School
Kane Douglas, Norths, Maclean High School
Harry Hockings, (new signing), University of Queensland Anglican Church Grammar School
Izack Rodda, Easts, Ipswich Grammar School
Lukhan Tui, Souths, John Edmonson High School
Back row
Michael Gunn, Easts, Anglican Church Grammar School
Reece Hewat, Norths, St. Joseph’s Nudgee College
Scott Higginbotham, Wests, The Southport School
Adam Korczyk, University of Queensland, Brisbane State High School
Angus Scott-Young (new signing), University of Queensland, Anglican Church Grammar School
George Smith, Brothers, Cromer High School
Caleb Timu (re-signed), Souths, St. Joseph’s Nudgee College
Liam Wright (new signing), Easts, Anglican Church Grammar School
Scrumhalves
Nick Frisby, GPS, Marist College Ashgrove
Tate McDermott (new signing), University of Queensland, Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Moses Sorovi, University of Queensland, St Peters Lutheran College
James Tuttle, GPS, St. Joseph’s Nudgee College
Flyhalves
Quade Cooper, Souths, Anglican Church Grammar School
Hamish Stewart (new signing), Bond University, Toowoomba Grammar School
Centres
Chris Feauai-Sautia (re-signed), Souths, Brisbane State High School
Samu Kerevi, Souths, Brisbane State High School
Duncan Paia’aua (re-signed), Norths, Emmaus College Rockhampton
Outside backs
Filipo Daugunu (new signing), Wests, Labasa Sangam College
Karmichael Hunt (re-signed), Norths, Anglican Church Grammar School
Lachlan Maranta, Wests, St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
Eto Nabuli (re-signed), GPS, Nadroga Navosa Provincial High School
Izaia Perese, Easts, Anglican Church Grammar School
