The Queensland Reds have confirmed their playing squad for the 2023 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Queensland’s roster remains largely unchanged from last year’s campaign, with just three players from outside the 2022 program – Luke Jones, Connor Anderson and Phransis Sula-Siaosi – added to the 37-man squad.
More than 90% of the squad (34 players) have made their way to Super Rugby through the Queensland Rugby pathway, having represented Queensland at U18s or U20s level, or played in the StoreLocal Hospital Challenge Cup, National Rugby Championship or Queensland Rugby Challenger Series.
The squad is Queensland’s most experienced in five-years with the roster boasting 1067 Super Rugby caps.
Up to 13 players will potentially have played 50 games for Queensland by the end of 2023 – the most since 2015.
Five players in the squad have already reached their Queensland half-century, with Filipo Daugunu, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Taniela Tupou and Liam Wright having achieved the 50-cap milestone.
A further eight – Angus Blyth, Jock Campbell, Sef Fa’agase, Harry Hoopert, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Jordan Petaia and Hunter Paisami – will also have the chance to reach the mark this season.
The squad features 12 capped Wallabies, as well as 10 players who represented Australia A this year.
Queensland will also welcome former All Black Kane Hames to the coaching staff, completing the coaching group alongside Head Coach Brad Thorn and Assistant Coaches Jim McKay, Phil Blake and Mick Heenan.
Hames brings over a decade of coaching and playing experience at both International and Super Rugby level to Ballymore.
Reds General Manager – Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said: “We are proud of the Queensland pathway connection within the 2023 Reds Squad.
“We have been building on our collective experience for a number of years, which has heightened expectation.
“We welcome this ahead of a significant year for the club as we celebrate 140-years of Queensland Rugby.
“We’re pleased to welcome Kane to Ballymore. He is another great asset within our experienced coaching team.”
The Reds commenced their first block of pre-season training at Ballymore this week ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Queensland will play five home games at Suncorp Stadium next year, with two at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium, including a Round 1 blockbuster against the Hurricanes.
Secure your 2023 Reds membership via https://bit.ly/3UP1YDJ.
- Connor Anderson – Wests – Brisbane State High School – Everton Park Roosters
- Richie Asiata – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School
- Floyd Aubrey – GPS – Marist College Ashgrove
- George Blake – Bond University – The Southport School – Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
- Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach Rugby Club
- Wilson Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach Rugby Club
- Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders
- Lawson Creighton – Brothers – Padua College
- Filipo Daugunu – Wests – Dogotuki District School, Fjii
- Sef Fa’agase – Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High School – Beaudesert Warriors
- Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
- Lopeti Faifua – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland
- Josh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Brothers
- Mac Grealy – University of Queensland – Downlands College – Souths Toowoomba
- Isaac Henry – Wests – Brisbane Boys College – Kenmore Bears
- Harry Hoopert – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – Dalby Wheatmen
- Spencer Jeans – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
- Luke Jones – Wests – St Pius X College – St Ives Rugby Club
- Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond Rugby Club
- Tate McDermott – University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Flinders Rugby Club
- Fraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
- Josh Nasser – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace – Easts
- Zane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
- James O’Connor – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Brothers
- Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
- Jordan Petaia – Wests – Brisbane State High School
- Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
- Phransis Sula-Siaosi – Souths – St Joseph’s Nudgee College
- Keynan Tauakipulu – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland – Kenmore Bears
- Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School – Souths
- Taniela Tupou – Brothers – Tonga College Atele – Kalapu Hufangalupe, Tonga
- Seru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, Fiji
- Connor Vest – University of Queensland – Grafton High School – Grafton Junior Rugby Club
- Suliasi Vunivalu – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland
- Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
- Liam Wright – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School – Easts
- Dane Zander – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Albany Creek Brumbies
*Players’ senior club, high school and junior club are listed.
- Brad Thorn – Head Coach
- Jim McKay – Assistant Coach
- Phil Blake – Assistant Coach
- Mick Heenan – Assistant Coach
- Kane Hames – Assistant Coach
