The Queensland Reds have announced their squad to travel to Japan, headlined by the inclusion of Harry Wilson and Suliasi Vunivalu.
The pair was surprise omissions from the Wallabies' Spring Tour squad, with Wilson starting in their last Bledisloe Test against the All Blacks.
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Reds coach Brad Thorn has named a strong squad, with 18 players with Super Rugby experience named.
This includes Australia A quartet Richie Asiata, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru and Isaac Henry, whilst lock Angus Blyth will captain the 27-player squad.
Seven standouts from the Queensland Rugby Challenger Series have also earned selection, headlined by former Rebels backrower Sam Wallis and Connor Anderson, who won the Alec Evans Medalist for Hospital Cup Player of the Year.
“The Challenger Series was a great success. We got to see Queensland’s best club talent back playing rep footy. There needs to be more of it in the future," Thorn said in a statement.
“Congratulations to the men who will tour Japan. It’s a special opportunity to earn a cap for their state.
“Seven club players will travel with us, we’re excited to reward them and see what they bring. I’d like to acknowledge Ethan Dobbins and Paddy James, who would have toured if not for injury.
“We’re pleased to have Harry and Suli back. Harry won the Pilecki Medal as our best player this season and Suli is a proven match-winner – he brings x-factor. They’ll be great for our team.”
They will open the tour with a warm-up clash with Kubota Spears before facing the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights on Friday 4 November at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.
“We’re looking forward to travelling to Japan to play our partner the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights," Reds GM of Rugby Sam Cordingley added.
“After the Challenger Series, it’s another valuable opportunity for our group to develop as a team on the field, something that has been lacking in recent years.
“It’s a unique chance for a number of club players to represent Queensland on tour. The StoreLocal Hospital Challenge Cup is our greatest talent provider, and we feel a great connection to the competition, so it’s pleasing to see these players get an opportunity.
Queensland Reds Japan Tour Squad Forwards
Connor Anderson – Wests
Richie Asiata – Easts
George Blake – Bond University
Wilson Blyth – Bond University
Angus Blyth – Bond University
Sef Fa’agase – University of Queensland
Matt Faessler – Brothers
Zane Nonggorr – Bond University
Ryan Smith – Brothers
Phransis Sula-Siaosi – Souths
Jake Upfield – Bond University
Seru Uru – Wests
Sam Wallis – University of Queensland
Harry Wilson – Brothers
Dane Zander – University of Queensland
Backs
Floyd Aubrey – GPS
Lawson Creighton – Brothers
Joey Fittock – Bond University
Josh Flook – Brothers
Mac Grealy – University of Queensland
Isaac Henry – Wests
Spencer Jeans – Bond University
Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland
Ben Navosailagi – Wests
Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland
Suliasi Vunivalu – Wests
Louis Werchon – Brothers
