Queensland Reds Brad Thorn has named 11 uncapped players in his squad for next month’s Brisbane Tens tournament, which returns to Suncorp Stadium in a new day-night format this February 9-10.

The Tens will be the Reds’ second pre-season fixture in 2018, but their first against external opposition, following on from their opposed training session at their annual  Fan Day at Ballymore Stadium on Friday 2 February.

The 26-man squad features 15 players with Super Rugby experience and four capped Wallabies – James Slipper, Kane Douglas, Taniela Tupou and Samu Kerevi, who was today unveiled as the latest Brisbane Global Rugby Tens ambassador and will captain the side at the tournament.

Thorn has also named 11 uncapped players in his squad, providing them an opportunity to push for selection ahead of the Super Rugby season. Last year’s tournament saw five uncapped players, including recent Wallabies debutant Izack Rodda, feature at the Tens before going on to make their Super Rugby debuts in the 2017 season.

“The Tens provides a good opportunity for the players to put into action what they’ve worked on throughout the pre-season,” Thorn said.

“We’ve got three pre-season fixtures this year, we felt it was important to give everyone an opportunity to showcase their skills. It’s a good reward for their hard work.

“Last year’s tournament was fast and physical and provided a good challenge a couple of weeks out from the season. No doubt the guys are looking forward to getting out there in front of our home fans.”

Fans will also have the opportunity to see a number of new players in action against external opposition for the first time, including former Brumbies prop JP Smith and NRC leading try-scorer Filipo Daugunu.

The Reds have been drawn in Pool A, alongside Australian-conference rivals the Melbourne Rebels, the Blues from Auckland and Top League finalists the Panasonic Wild Knights from Japan.

The Reds’ kick off against the Blues at 2:43pm on Friday 9 February, followed by the Rebels at 6:27pm. Their final pool match is against the Wild Knights at 1:15pm on Saturday 10 February.

This year’s tournament will also feature four women’s teams, after the inaugural event showcased a two-game series between Queensland and New South Wales.

The Queensland women kick off against New South Wales 4:07pm on Friday, followed by the Brumbies at 8:19pm and the Rebels at 4:03pm on Saturday.

The second annual Brisbane Global Rugby Tens is a 12-team tournament, featuring all nine Super Rugby sides from Australia and New Zealand, along with Japan’s Panasonic Wild Knights, a Fijian invitational side and French heavyweights Section Paloise (Pau).

Queensland Reds squad for Brisbane Global Rugby Tens

Forwards

James Slipper (Bond University)

Taniela Tupou (Brothers)

Sef Fa’agase (University of Queensland)

JP Smith (GPS)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Sunnybank)

Andrew Ready (Easts)

Angus Blyth (Bond University)

Harry Hockings (University of Queensland)

Kane Douglas (Norths)

Angus Scott-Young (University of Queensland)

Michael Gunn (Easts)

Liam Wright (Easts)

Tai Ford (Bond University)

Reece Hewat (Norths)

Backs

James Tuttle (GPS)

Moses Sorovi (University of Queensland)

Tate McDermott (University of Queensland)

Hamish Stewart (Bond University)

Nick Jooste (Norths)

Teti Tela (Souths)

Tony Hunt (Norths)

Samu Kerevi (C) (Souths)

Filipo Daugunu (Wests)

Jayden Ngamanu (Souths)

Izaia Perese (Easts)

Lachlan Maranta (Wests)