Les Kiss has unveiled his 29-man Reds squad to tackle League One heavyweights Saitama Wild Knights in Kumagaya - and it's full of surprises.
In total, Kiss' squad boasts more than 350 Queensland caps to go with a quintet of local club talents - Shaun Anderson (GPS), Seb Hanna (Brothers), Kohan Herbert (Souths), Hamish Muller (Brothers) and Matt Brice (UQ/Noosa Dolphins).
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Herbert's journey to the Reds squad is particularly fascinating.
After graduating from Downlands College in 2017, the Australian Schools representative plied his trade across the ditch and earned Junior All Black selection alongside a stint with NPC club Bay of Plenty.
Herbert returned to Australia in 2023 and has been a standout performer for Souths Magpies in the Hospital Cup.
“This is a good, solid squad with a real focus which the players have shown with their hard work over the past month,” Kiss said in a statement.
“We have been watching the club competition and Academy group closely to know these players have qualities,” Kiss said.
“Kohan is a genuine No.7 and leader for Souths, Hamish is a good option covering the backrow and lock, Shaun is a physical and fast outside back, Bas has picked things up really quickly at training and Matt made a clear case with his impressive training.”
The Reds are yet to taste defeat against Robbie Deans' side in the Saitama-Queensland Shield and will call on the services of capped Wallabies Josh Canham, Tom Lynagh, Matt Gibbon, Josh Nasser and Alex Hodgman to defend their record.
Following next week's capped fixture on Monday November 4, Canham, Lynagh and Nasser will link up with Rod Seib's Australia XV squad alongside Reds Joe Brial, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Ryan Smith and Massimo De Lutiis for their two-game UK Tour.
Eagle-eyed punters may also note the selection of Heremaia Murray, a centre-wing utility over 30 NPC caps for Northland who debuted with Rob Penney's Crusaders in 2024.
There'll be plenty of interest, too, in the performance of prop Gibbon following his omission from both the Wallabies and Australia XV squads while Will Cartwright's inclusion alongside Louis Werchon and Kalani Thomas highlights the depth of halfback riches at Ballymore.
