Reds Name Ryan Smith as Captain To Face Western Force

Experienced lock Ryan Smith will step up as Queensland Reds captain for Saturday night’s clash against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.

Smith’s leadership on and off the field is highly valued at the Reds and was recognised with his previous outing as skipper against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan last November.

Smith has been selected for the role with halfback Tate McDermott playing off the bench. Harry Wilson is being rested after playing every minute of the Reds’ opening five games in SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific while Fraser McReight is also on a rest week. Liam Wright is unavailable for this match.

The honour for Smith reflects the high standing he has built in six seasons at the Reds.

“’Smithy’ did an excellent job in his week of captaincy in Japan and he is highly respected within our squad,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.

“Tate will come off the bench this week with Kalani (Thomas) starting at halfback after a strong performance against the Highlanders last weekend.”

Alex Hodgman and Massimo de Lutiis will start as props against the Force.

“We are very happy with how our scrum is going. Both Alex and ‘Mass’ had a great impact off the bench against the Highlanders and get their chance to start against the Force,” Kiss said.

“Harry (Wilson) has put in an unbelievable shift over our five games. He’s having a rest week. We have high-quality backrowers at the Reds which enables us to start players of the calibre of Seru Uru, John Bryant and Joe Brial.”

Off the bench, Wallabies hooker Josh Nasser and former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen return. Experienced backrower-lock Connor Vest will also get his first chance of the season off the bench.

The sixth-placed Force have made a positive start to 2025 and will arrive at Suncorp Stadium after scoring eight tries to blitz the Fijian Drua 52-15 in Perth last weekend.

The Reds and Force met in Round Three of the competition when a thriller went the Reds way 28-24 in Perth to open March.

“There’s no doubt the Force will be coming to Brisbane in a confident mood based on their performance against the Drua,” Kiss said.

The Reds drew a crowd of 20,072 to their last game at Suncorp Stadium, the best Super Rugby attendance at the ground since 2021.

The Reds have won their past four games at a venue they defend proudly as home.

“We know the energy our home fans add to any occasion at Suncorp Stadium. The boys always want to perform to make our supporters and those closest to us proud,” Kiss said.
 
Queensland Reds vs Western Force
Saturday, March 29
Suncorp Stadium
6:35pm AEST 
Watch live on Stan Sport and free-to-air 9GEM
1. Alex Hodgman - Sunnybank – Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland – Suburbs RFC, Auck
2. Richie Asiata - Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
3. Massimo De Lutiis - Wests – The Southport School – Surfers Paradise Dolphins
4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths – John Edmondson HS, Sydney
5. Ryan Smith (c) – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes  
6. Seru Uru - Wests - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
7. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
8. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
9. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
10. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond RC, UK
11. Tim Ryan – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe 
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland 
13. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC
15. Heremaia Murray - TBC – Auckland Grammar - Te Rarawa RC, NZ
Reserves:  
16. Josh Nasser – University of Queensland - St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace - Easts 
17. George Blake - Bond University – The Southport School – Fasi Maufanga Eels, Tonga
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ 
19. Angus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach RC
20. Connor Vest – Souths - Grafton High School - Grafton Junior RC
21. Tate McDermott - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Flinders RC
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
23. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School

Unavailable through injury: Jock Campbell, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Liam Wright