Les Kiss will get another big insight into who should wear the No.10 jersey in 2024, with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips to start in the playmaking role against the NSW Waratahs in Roma on Saturday evening.
With both sides naming strong teams as the Super Rugby tournament nears, Kiss has given the 19-year-old an opportunity to own the role.
After Lawson Creighton struggled with his execution last weekend against the Force, and James O’Connor making his way back from another hamstring injury, the exciting Junior Wallabies back will team up alongside Tate McDermott.
Former Junior Wallabies playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will get his chance to impress Les Kiss when he starts against the Waratahs on Saturday. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
It comes after an exciting cameo during the 21-19 loss to the Force last weekend, where McLaughlin-Phillips’ twinkle-feet were on display.
If he can distribute and boss his side around against their arch-rivals, Kiss could well be tempted to back the teenager in for their Super Rugby opener against the Waratahs later this month.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding who will wear the No.10 jersey under Kiss is the return of incumbent fly-half Tom Lynagh, with the talented playmaker from a minor injury via the bench.
“We have a variety of skills within the good depth we have at No.10. Harry gets a chance to start after Lawson had the role in our first trial,” Kiss said.
Elsewhere, second-rower Ryan Smith returns to the starting line-up, while Kiss has tweaked his back three with Mac Grealy named on the wing and Jock Campbell at fullback. Jordan Petaia, the versatile World Cup utility back, has been included on the bench.
Hooker Josh Nasser also makes a timely return to the bench.
“It’s a good sign too with Ryan getting his first minutes of the season at lock and Josh Nasser returning to add depth at hooker from the bench,” Kiss added.
Smith said the Reds were excited to get out into the country for the clash against their traditional rivals, which is expected to be watched by new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
“Getting back to Roma will be great. In recent years, we’ve very much stressed as a team that we are the Queensland Reds, not the Brisbane Reds,” Smith said.
“Making sure we get out to the regional centres to put on a good show is really important to continue to grow country rugby because we all know the talent out there.
“It’s been a tough pre-season with lots of running from the new coaches to get us in good nick.
“We always have a tough game against the Waratahs whether it’s a trial or a match during the season. They have a lot of Wallabies in the fold and the tight five is going to be a great area to test our set piece.”
Miles Amatosero will start for the Waratahs on Saturday. Photo: Julius Dimataga, NSW Media
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has once again named a strong side.
Although the Waratahs were well-beaten in the end by the Rebels last week, it was 12-7 at half-time before Coleman replaced the bulk of his squad.
Miles Amatosero, who has been described as a “mini Will Skelton”, will start for the first time in a strong looking pack despite hooker Dave Porecki missing after picking up an Achilles injury last week.
The match will be the first chance Waratahs fans get of watching their new recruit, with the 21-year-old returning with a big reputation after three years in France with Clermont.
“For the three years I’ve been here, I’ve searched the world high and low on the salary cap restrictions we had to get a world-class tight-head, six-foot six-seven-eight lock back, Aussie qualified,” Coleman told The Roar late last year.
“It took me three years to find one and the beauty is that he’s got so much upside, he’s still only 21.
“What he has that none of the others have is that physical status and physicality. He’s a big aggressive boy.”
Captain Jake Gordon returns at halfback to partner Tane Edmed, while Mosese Tuipulotu, who has impressed Coleman after a strong pre-season, starts at outside centre.
Joey Walton, meanwhile, starts at fullback for the second straight week, with Max Jorgensen expected to return next week from a leg injury suffered at the World Cup.
The clash will be streamed on Stan.
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Gallas Fox Park, Roma. Kick-off, 8:40pm AEDT
Reds (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Ryan Smth, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDertmott (co-c), Harry McLaughlin-Philips, Mac Grealy, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Alex Hodgman, Sef Fa’agase, Connor Vest, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Jordan Petaia, Cormac Daly, George Blake, Lawson Creighton, Tim Ryan, Isaac Henry
Waratahs (1-15): Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Miles Amatosero, Lachie Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Mosese Tuipulotu, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Joey Walton
Replacements: Theo Fourie, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Daniel Botha, Ned Slack-Smith, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Harry Wilson, Triston Reilly, Vuate Karawalevu, Ben Distaso, Jack Barrett, Sam Thomson, Gabrielle Vendetti
Western Force vs ACT Brumbies at Revo Fitness Stadium, Claremont. Kick-off: 8pm AEDT, Saturday
Wallabies halves pair Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Ben Donaldson have been given the chance to build on their partnership, with Simon Cron naming the Test duo to start against the Brumbies on Saturday evening.
The duo started in the Force’s 21-19 win over the Reds in Ballymore and with Nic White sidelined after minor surgery on his bicep, Cron hasn’t hesitated in giving the combination more time to gel after Donaldson’s move from the Waratahs.
The pair will play inside a settled midfield combination, with Hamish Stewart to join Sam Spink in the centres while Max Burey will once again wear the No.15 jersey. George Poolman comes onto the wing for Harry Potter, who has a minor injury and hasn’t been risked.
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will get the chance to build on his partnership with Ben Donaldson. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Up front and several injuries have seen Cron tweak his pack, with Test hooker Feleti Kaitu’u coming in for Tom Horton, who also has a niggle, while Tiann Tauakipulu replaces the concussed Santiago Medrano.
There’s a change to the second-row too, with Jeremy Williams also copping a head knock last week with Lopeti Faifua to partner New Zealand recruit Tom Franklin.
It’s a familiar back-row with strong on-baller Carlo Tizzano called in to start for Tim Anstee. The No.7 forms a back-row alongside Michael Wells and Waratahs recruit Will Harris.
“We now have the opportunity to work on combinations again after last week,” Cron said.
“The boys have given us some laser focus areas, in their positions, to help progress the team. We’re looking forward to giving them another chance to play.
“Carlo Tizzano is back at openside flanker and he’ll bring energy and he’s a doer. He’ll put a lot of pressure on at the breakdown.
“Feleti and George both got good minutes last weekend and it’s another opportunity for them to press their claims for a starting spot. It’s a great opportunity for Tiaan to start at tight-head prop. We love what Lopeti brings to our team and he gets the chance to start this week.”
After their promising start last week, the Force will face a sterner test against a Wallaby-laden Brumbies side who are coming off a win against the Fiji Drua.
Stephen Larkham has called up Wallabies veteran James Slipper at loose-head prop. He will pack down alongside Test hooker Lachie Lonergan and Rhys Van Nek.
Len Ikitau has been named at outside centre for the Brumbies. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Rising Test start Nick Frost will partner raw lock Lachlan Shaw, while it’s a well-balanced back-row with Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer and Charlie Cale named.
Ryan Lonergan captains the side and is joined in the halves by Wallaby Noah Lolesio.
It’s a familiar looking backline, with Ollie Sapsford partnering Len Ikitau in the midfield, and fullback Tom Wright teaming up alongside Corey Toole and Andy Muirhead in an exciting back three combination.
Wallabies Billy Pollard and Blake Schoupp have been included on the bench, with plenty of proven depth to all come on at some stage.
“We experienced a great atmosphere in front of our home crowd last weekend,” Larkham said.
“It was a good opportunity for several of our Academy players to be exposed to first class rugby for the first time.
“This week we welcome back several experienced players to the field and look forward to seeing how the team performs as we build into the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.”
Conditions are expected to be hot for the match, with drinks breaks scheduled at the midway point of each half.
Western Force (1-15): Marley Pearce, Feleti Kaitu’u, Tiann Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Tom Franklin, Michael Wells, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, George Poolman, Max Burey
Replacements: Albert Alcock, Charlie Hancock, Atu Moli, Regi Churchward, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Titi Nofogatotoa, Ian Prior, Reesjan Pasitoa, Henry O’Donnell, Ronan Leahy
Brumbies (1-15): James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys Van Nek, Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Will Sankey, Jahrome Brown, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Austin Anderson, Hudson Creighton, Rory Scott, Fred Kaihea
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
HMP maybe a better centre running off the likes of Lynagh who is a natural flyhalf. Lynagh controls the structure very well for a young flyhalf. HMP size the biggest issue for a centre but Paisami goes alright. What position did HMP play at BBC if Mason Gordon and Taj there too? I know Mason was at 10.
Cec
Roar Rookie
GK. What are you talking about as neither of your picks are a #5 at test level??? That’s like asking Matfield to swap roles with Bakkies, :laughing:. Your picks are good players (at #4) but Will is the only test #5 in that group. Two of them are too short/small and are hybrids in #6 anyway. I’ll leave you to ponder the difference in skill sets and what has been achieved by each player in the #5 jersey, which is a specialist role that you just don’t muck around or experiment with. Why the freak would anyone de-power their scrum behind the THP? Hint- only one guy at #5 in this group has lead their teams to back-to-back championships & knows what it takes to lift a trophy (6 in total)
Cec
Roar Rookie
That’s the second funniest thing I’ve heard all week :thumbup:
Double Dribble
Roar Rookie
Well NSW haven't had a decent one since Mark Ella.
Double Dribble
Roar Rookie
So Max Jorgenson can wait too then.
Geoff K
Roar Rookie
Brumbies have a better roster. Force and Reds dont. Rebels have weaknesses in the backs centres and and scrumhalf especially. Tahs have the second best roster.
Geoff K
Roar Rookie
Tahs have a Wallaby pack and some future Wallaby young guns. They will do ok.
Geoff K
Roar Rookie
I'd prefer my captain to be available for all tests in 2024.That rules out Skelton who i think is over-rated anyway. He can stay up north and collect his euros for all i care. Not needed. :thumbdown:
Geoff K
Roar Rookie
Rodda Philip Frost Holloway Swain can do the job. Out of those 5.
Geoff K
Roar Rookie
Skelton needs to perform to get the best out himself. He has not made any impact at test level yet.It's about time he owned up and worked on his test game instead of all his fans blaming coaches for not getting the best out of him at test level.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Very sad to see Western Force allow Jackson Pugh to leave / forced him out. What a great local prospect lost now to Japan. How can we keep producing home grown talent and let it go? Michael McDonald was overlooked for an ageing Prior. Now we keep a Michael Wells around instead of retaining Jackson. Force saying nothing about it too. Terrible look.
Gasher
Roar Rookie
No he hasnt been sensational. That’s nonsense.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
I really have to make sure I am not on some MAGA site of conspirators whenever I read comments that Will Skelton is a waste of space. Are these people serious or just trolling for a response? Modern rugby is more and more a forwards game aided and abetted by quality jacklers right across the park. Big Wil will never be seen running 50 m with the ball through hapless back-line players but that is not his job, it is to rule the roost in the middle of the park where the big boys play. And there are not many better than W.Skelton at destroying opposition rucks and mauls, plus adding considerable clout in scrums and even a bit or mayhem in lineouts. In his few games in the RWC before Goose Eddie and his S&C tools ran Skelton and T.Toupo into the ground, dare I say Big Willy did his job really well, considering most of the blokes playing besides him were newbies playing like headless chooks or blokes who really should not have been there (looking at Rory's brother for one). So you blokes bagging Big Willy at RWC23, before you put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard??) watch how much help Skelton is getting from his team-mates. At times it looked like he was the only bloke "on the ramparts fighting off the enemy".
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
The trouble I have with the young #10 for the Reds, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, is he still plays like most young schoolboy stars who all their lives have played “give it to Harry” style footy. In the big boys stuff, all of the opposition are tough footy players who can tackle and hurt, so solo runs through the opposition and/or the length of the field are very rare indeed. Every game I have seen H.McLaughlin-Phillips play in, he looks great running with the pill but I don’t see the lad setting up others into holes which is a core duty of a flyhalf. His field kicking and defence is ok for a 19 year old (so-so at SR level) but he needs that long spiral pass and the vision of when to use it. He has loads of potential though. I honestly think he needs to play half the season playing 1st grade club rugby with a mentor giving him good feedback after each game (JOC perhaps). He will learn more there than the occasional run off the bench only to be crunched by a big Kiwi forward or two. Regarding the Brumbies game against Fijian Drua last weekend, I only saw a 5 minute highlights package on the RA website but the 1st half was mostly 1-way traffic as the Drua put on some great tries. Hard to comment on the Brumbie’s come-back without looking at who was on the field at the time and who was rested on both sides.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Change your name to Gary Indiana. It’s a boring sad miserable bigoted town ( a bit like you )in the USA that is transformed into a happy colourful town by Harry Hill in The Music Man. It’s also a song, and the Jackson 5 came from there. Hope that helps.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
No doubt young Harry will debut for the Reds but you’re comparing a Wallabies’ player against a club player. I don’t know the age difference and why the comparison when there isn’t a lot to compare. All I say is let’s get as many young up and coming players mastering the core basic skills before elevating them to the next level. I have been watching Bowen for many years and believe him and Carter’s younger brother (?) are the next two to progress to the next level. Mason.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Lolesio will need to start strong. All 3 will.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Isaac donning the 15 jersey over there. Reds need an experienced 15/10 player
savant
Roar Rookie
His mother was Frank Zappa!?
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
I hear ya! To play for Australia and stay in that core group of players along side Angus Bell, Mcreight and that next generation would be one!