The Pacific Rugby Cup sees Australia’s best emerging Super Rugby talent compete against national representative teams from Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and Argentina

Reds Media Release –

Queensland Reds A Coach Peter Wilkins has named his team to face Junior Japan in their IRB Pacific Rugby Cup clash this Friday, in the curtain raiser to the Reds Asteron Life Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs.

The team features two changes from the side that beat the Fiji Warriors 22-19 at Ballymore last Sunday.

Jonah Placid will return to the backline after he was a late omission from the Fiji Warriors game through injury.

Placid has impressed so far this year, featuring at fullback for the Reds in their pre-season match against the Chiefs in Toowoomba, and also for Reds A against Force A in the opening match of the Pacific Rugby Cup.

This Friday Placid will move to outside centre, while Jamie-Jerry Taulagi will feature in the 15 jersey.

The only other change to the starting XV sees Nigel Ah-Wong earn his first starting berth of the 2014 Pacific Rugby Cup, featuring on the wing outside Placid.

Ah-Wong was a late inclusion to the Reds Wider Training Squad for 2014, after returning to Australia following a stint playing in Japan for the Coca Cola West Red Sparks.

The forward pack remains unchanged for this clash against Junior Japan, after they competed well against the physical Fijian outfit last Sunday.

Wilkins said that the changes made to the side would offer the team some extra physicality out wide.

“The two changes made in the backline will allow the team to have a greater physical presence on the fringes,” Wilkins said.

“Jonah had a really good game against Force A in Perth, he defended in the front line at first receiver and made a number of big tackles.

“It will be great to have him back in the side this week and I believe he’ll slot in at outside centre nicely.

“Nigel Ah-Wong got a lot of game time last week after we were forced to make a change in the first half due to injury.

“Considering traditionally he has played in the forwards, he brings size and physicality to our back three, and he’ll form an imposing partnership with Jamie-Jerry Taulagi and Chris Kuridrani,” he added.

The Reds A match kick offs at 4:20pm, ahead of the Super Rugby match between the Reds and the Cheetahs at 6:40pm.

The Reds playing jerseys from their clash against the Cheetahs, which will feature their mothers’ names on the back, will be given to their mothers. A special set has been produced and each player will sign their respective number and these jerseys will be auctioned, with profits going to Queensland Rugby’s youth girls sevens development program. Follow this link to place a bid: www.redsonlineauction.com.au.

Queensland Reds A team to play Junior Japan – Kick-off: 4:20pm  

1. Pettowa Paraka; 2. Andrew Ready; 3. Albert Anae; 4. Dave McDuling; 5. Blake Enever; 6. Curtis Browning (c); 7. Michael Gunn; 8. Tim Buchanan; 9. Scott Gale; 10. Ben  Lucas; 11. Chris Kuridrani; 12. Sam Johnson; 13. Jonah Placid; 14. Nigel Ah-Wong; 15. Jamie-Jerry Taulagi

Replacements: 16. Feleti Kaitu’u; 17. Sef Fa’agase; 18. Phil Kite; 19. Adam Korczyk; 20. Lolo Fakaosilea; 21. Nigel Genia; 22. Kimami Sitauti