Queensland Reds co-captain Liam Wright admits the squad are eagerly looking forward to Saturday's trial with the Western Force after an extended pre-season.
When the Reds take to Ballymore, it will be 239 days since they last took the field, a 43-14 defeat to the Hurricanes.
After a below-expectations Trans-Tasman campaign, Wright and the rest of the club were keen to show their improvements ahead of Super Rugby Pacific.
“It’s been a very unusually long pre-season, a good one in which we’ve achieved a lot so we’re looking forward to this season but there’s only so much training you can do so they boys are keen to rip in,” Wright told reporters.
“We feel like we’re putting out two competitive teams which has been great for our training the last few weeks now we have numbers to do team-on-team with COVID and everything.
“There’s plenty of depth and guys pushing for selection and fortunately we in a position to put a lot of guys in and get them that game time, wanting to wear that Queensland jersey for the first time.”
The Reds have confirmed a 30-man squad for the trial, which will be played behind closed doors at Ballymore and shown on the Reds YouTube and Website pages.
Wright will take sole captaincy for the match, with fellow co-captain Tate McDermott rested.
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Whilst eight uncapped Super Rugby players have been named for Queensland’s first hit-out of 2022, the squad is stacked with Wallabies with the likes of Wright, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Fraser McReight and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto included.
"We're back playing footy this weekend for the first time in eight months," coach Brad Thorn said in a statement.
"After a solid pre-season there's a handful of guys who have put their hand up for selection tomorrow night. They’ve been working hard at training and deserve the opportunity.
"It's also important to recognise the Force. It's a big ask on the players and staff to be away from their families and we thank them for flying over and making this trial game possible."
REDS SQUAD FOR FORCE TRIAL ON FEBRUARY 5
FORWARDS
- Richie Asiata – Easts
- George Blake* – Bond University
- Angus Blyth – Bond University
- Feao Fotuaika – Sunnybank
- Harry Hoopert – Brothers
- Fraser McReight – Brothers
- Josh Nasser – University of Queensland
- Zane Nonggorr – Bond University
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths
- Ryan Smith – Brothers
- Keynan Tauakipulu - Wests*
- Tuaina Taii Tualima – GPS
- Seru Uru – Wests
- Connor Vest* – University of Queensland
- Harry Wilson – Brothers
- Liam Wright (c) – Easts
- Dane Zander – Norths
BACKS
- Taj Annan* – Easts
- Floyd Aubrey* – GPS
- Jock Campbell – University of Queensland
- Filipo Daugunu – Wests
- Josh Flook – Brothers
- Mac Grealy – University of Queensland
- Spencer Jeans* – Bond University
- Kye Oates* – University of Queensland
- James O’Connor - Brothers
- Tom Lynagh* – University of Queensland
- Hunter Paisami – Wests
- Hamish Stewart – Brothers
- Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland
*denotes uncapped in Super Rugby
