Aidan Toua has been named at fullback for the Reds as they prepare to take on the Brumbies

Reds Media Release –

Queensland Reds head coach Richard Graham has named his side to take on the Brumbies in their 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby season opener in Canberra this weekend.

The match sees Aidan Toua claim the Reds’ fullback jersey, in his first Super Rugby match since Reds v Hurricanes in March last year.

With five Super Rugby appearances for the Reds in two seasons, Toua enjoyed a strong pre-season and is ready to add to his experience at this level.

The match will also feature former Waratahs flyer Lachie Turner playing his first Super Rugby game for the Reds, after staking his claim with solid performances at wing and fullback in the pre-season.

Coach Graham said he was pleased with the work of his squad in the lead up to the opening round.

“We are glad this time has arrived. We’ve had more than four months of pre-season training,” Graham said.

“The entire squad has worked hard to prepare for the season and as a consequence there is a lot of competition for spots within our squad.”

Graham said the team was looking forward to the clash and he expected the Brumbies will continue to play to their strengths.

“The Brumbies are a team that play strong field position, maul well, squeeze teams defensively and look to accumulate points when they’re on offer,” he said.

“Traditionally the early rounds of Super Rugby tend to be highly physical encounters. Add to that the fact it is a derby and you can expect a fairly bruising opening round of the Australian conference.

“After playing the Chiefs and Rebels in our pre-season games, we feel we are well prepared for this weekend.”

The Reds A side also kicks off its season this week, with the first round of the Pacific Rugby Cup getting underway. A strong team has been named to travel to Perth to take on Force A this Friday.

Reds A will be captained by Reds fulltime squad member Curtis Browning, with Rod Davies named vice captain. The side also features Reds contracted players Albert Anae, Dave McDuling, Blake Enever and Chris Kuridrani. It is rounded out by members of the Reds Wider Training Squad and Reds Under 20s program.

Queensland Reds v Brumbies (Canberra)

1. James Slipper; 2. Saia Fainga’a; 3. Greg Holmes; 4. Rob Simmons; 5. James Horwill (C); 6. Eddie Quirk; 7. Liam Gill; 8. Jake Schatz; 9. Will Genia (VC); 10. Quade Cooper; 11. Dom Shipperley; 12. Mike Harris; 13. Ben Tapuai; 14. Lachie Turner; 15. Aidan Toua

Reserves: 16. James Hanson; 17. Ben Daley; 18. Jono Owen; 19. Ed O’Donoghue; 20. Beau Robinson; 21. Nick Frisby; 22. Anthony Fainga’a; 23. Chris Feauai-Sautia

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Reds A v Force A (Perth)

1. Pettowa Paraka (Reds WTS); 2. Andrew Ready (Reds WTS); 3. Albert Anae (Reds); 4. Dave McDuling (Reds); 5. Blake Enever (Reds); 6. Curtis Browning (C) (Reds); 7. Michael Gunn (Reds WTS/Under 20s); 8. Tim Buchanan (Reds WTS); 9. Scott Gale (Reds WTS/Under 20s); 10. Sam Greene (Reds WTS/ Under 20s); 11. Chris Kuridrani (Reds); 12. Sam Johnson (Reds WTS); 13. Kimami Sitauti (Reds WTS); 14. Rod Davies (VC) (Reds); 15. Jonah Placid (Reds WTS/Under 20s)

Reserves: 16. Feleti Kaitu’u (Reds Under 20s); 17. Sef Fa’agase (Reds WTS); 18. Phil Kite (Reds WTS); 19. Adam Korczyk (Reds Under 20s); 20. Lolo Fakaosilea (Reds Under 20s); 21. Nigel Genia (Reds WTS); 22. Nigel Ah Wong (Reds WTS); 23. Tom Banks (Reds Under 20s)