QLD Country announce 2015 NRC squad
QLD Country will look to improve on a dissapointing season in last year’s National Rugby Championships after coach Jason Gilmore named his 2015 playing squad today.
15 Queensland Reds representatives will be joined by 16 non-contracted players, with 25 of the squads 36 players coming from a country background.
“We’ve put together a strong squad heading into the second NRC season,” Gilmore said.
“We have a good balance of Reds players and some of the best talent from Queensland Premier and country Rugby.”
QLD Country finished eighth last season, but will be looking to improve on that result in 2015.
“We also have a total of 20 returning players from the 2014 squad so it will be beneficial to have those existing players to assist with the transition of new players into Queensland Country.
The side will play all four of its matches in regional QLD, with the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba all set to host a game.
QLD Country 2015 NRC squad
Haydn Hirsimaki – Sunnybank
Sef Fa’agase – Reds/University of Queensland
Taniela Tupou – Reds/Brothers
Greg Holmes – Reds/Sunnybank
Andrew Parker – Townsville Brothers
James Slipper – Wallabies
Saia Fainga’a – Reds/GPS
Alex Mafi – Reds/Bond University
Tonga Ma’afu – University of Queensland
Campbell Wakely – University of Queensland
Lukhan Tui – Reds
Richie Arnold – Bond University
Phil Potgieter – University of Queensland
Cameron Bracewell – Bond University
Rob Simmons – Wallabies
Jack Cornelson – University of Queensland
James Turner – Souths
Conor Mitchell – University of Queensland
Ed Quirk – Reds/Easts
Radike Samo – GPS
Lolo Fakaosilea – Reds/Sunnybank
Scott Gale – Reds/University of Queensland
James Tuttle – Reds/GPS
Harry Nucifora – Bond University
Sam Greene – Reds/Brothers
Dion Taumata – Bond University
Duncan Paia’aua – Reds/GPS
Matt Gordon – Easts
Izaia Perese – Easts
Anthony Fainga’a – Reds
Jamie-Jerry Taulagi – Reds/University of Queensland
Tom Banks – Reds/University of Queensland
Chris Feauai-Sautia – Reds/Souths
Stephen Van Der Walt – Souths
Elliot Hagen – Easts
Campbell Magnay – Reds/GPS