November 4 has been locked in for the Queensland Reds’ clash against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan where a valued 40-year relationship will be celebrated.
The full cap fixture at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium completes the detail of a unique six-game International Program to prepare the Reds for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Queensland Rugby Union has mapped out the most ambitious program of any Super Rugby club in Australia or New Zealand to aid squad development and expand ties with international sides.
A warm-up match against the Wild Knights, before the capped fixture, will also be played as has been the case in 2022 and 2023.
"One of the great strengths of rugby is the international relationships,” Queensland Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
"I'm really excited about the trip to Japan and to be testing the Reds against a Robbie Deans-coached team which we know will be well prepared.
"To have the tour confirmed is massive for us as we continue to build the international opportunities to develop our players and expose them to different styles of rugby.
"I felt that last year when my first game as Reds coach was against the Wild Knights and we played a tight match in Brisbane that was only decided in the final minutes.
"We are three years into our playing relationship and want to continue it for many more."
The Reds were 55-30 winners at Kumagaya Stadium in 2022 and just got home 31-29 when the clubs met again at Ballymore Stadium in late 2023.
The Wild Knights were coached on both occasions by Robbie Deans, the former Wallabies coach who understands the benefits of such matches are generated on multiple levels.
“The Wild Knights look forward to hosting the Reds, continuing our rivalry and celebration of rugby in Kumagaya,” Deans said.
“This will be our third recent encounter. Last year’s games were great spectacles. The games are full of players ambitious to be part of the future at each club and we expect this year to be no different.
"They also double as a 40-year reunion of the very first relationship between Saitama and Queensland.”
The relationship is brought to life in rugby through the Saitama-Queensland Shield.
Wild Knights General Manager Satoru Awaya highlighted the longstanding connection.
“We are delighted to welcome our esteemed partner, the Queensland Reds, to Kumagaya Rugby Stadium,” he said.
“This event follows our previous engagement in Japan in 2022 with Queensland which shares a sister state relationship with Saitama Prefecture.
“We are thrilled to host the match and have these games played for the third consecutive year.
“Furthermore, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the sister relationship between Saitama Prefecture and Queensland. We hope this occasion will contribute to the continued development and strengthening of friendship between both regions and organisations.”
Sam Cordingley, the QRU's General Manager-Professional Rugby, said the link with the Wild Knights is highly valued.
"As the Queensland Rugby Union, we are really privileged to be partners with the Wild Knights and we will continue to explore more opportunities to benefit both clubs," Cordingley said.
"The games this year carry a special significance, coming 40 years after the sister state relationship began between Queensland and Saitama Prefecture. It will be an important game for both clubs in preparations for next season."
For the QRU, it finalises an International Program which began in July with the success of the Reds v Wales clash at Suncorp Stadium.
The biggest crowd (23,164) at a Reds game in three years witnessed a thrilling 36-35 contest overflowing with fast-paced action and 11 tries.
A week later, the Reds won in wet and vastly different conditions in Nuku’alofa where they beat Tonga 41-14. The tour of Tonga was made possible by the support of the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program.
The Reds fly to Europe early next year for matches against English side Bristol in Bristol (January 31) and Irish side Ulster in Belfast (February 7) as their main pre-season hitouts before the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
QRU Chief Executive David Hanham said the Wales and Tonga matches for the Reds had already shown the benefits of the International Program.
“It’s an exciting time for Queensland Rugby. More of our players and coaches are being exposed to higher levels of rugby and different game styles which can only benefit the development of the Reds,” Hanham said.
“There is strong brand awareness worldwide of the Queensland Reds and it can only help playing top quality matches overseas.”
QUEENSLAND REDS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
July 22 v Wales in Brisbane (Lost 36-35)
July 29 v Tonga in Nuku’alofa (Won 41-14)
October 27 Warm-up Match v Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Kumagaya
November 4 v Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Kumagaya
January 31 v Bristol Bears in Bristol
February 7 v Ulster in Belfast
