Harry McLaughin-Phillips and Carter Gordon will share the flyhalf role for the Queensland Reds in their opening trial against the Western Force in Perth on Friday.

Talented teenager Nicholas Conway will get his first chance in a Reds jersey at fullback and young 116kg powerhouse Vaiuta Latu will step up at No.8.

All are features of the first Reds team of 2026 unveiled on Wednesday by Head Coach Les Kiss as preparations heat up for the start of Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific next month.

Nine Wallabies are spread through the 29-strong squad to play in Perth. More players from the Reds squad will feature in the final afternoon trial against the NSW Waratahs at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday, January 31.

“It’s exciting to get started with our matches for 2026 after the work put in during the pre-season,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.

“We want to see growth in what we have planned and trained for.

“For Perth, it’s exciting to see this blend of experienced players with the young guys who put their hands up for the Reds in the matches against Tonga and the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights plus Super Rugby AUS at the back end of last season.

“We were certainly impressed by guys like Vaiuta Latu, James Martens, Xavier Rubens and others playing as Reds for the first time in that block of games.

“Nicholas Conway will get his first chance at fullback for us in this trial.

“Across our two trials, most of our squad will get opportunities on the field so we have factored that it.

“It’s great to see Lukhan (Salakaia-Loto) and Josh (Canham) as our lock pairing and the experience of Hunter Paisami and Lachie Anderson in this backline.

“Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has really impressed during the pre-season. He’ll start at No.10. Carter Gordon has added significant value to the squad and he’ll come off the bench.”

Both the Reds and Force will run with extended benches to maximise the value of the opening trial which will be played in three 30-minute periods.

The Reds and Force have a keen rivalry. Both matches between the sides in Super Rugby Pacific in 2025 were four-point victories to the Reds.

Queensland Reds vs Western Force

Venue: Scotch College, Perth

Kick-off: Friday 23 January, 6:35pm Qld time

Queensland Reds

1 George Blake

2 Matt Faessler

3 Massimo De Lutiis

4 Josh Canham

5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

6 Joe Brial

7 John Bryant

8 Vaiuta Latu

9 James Martens

10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips

11 Xavier Rubens

12 Hunter Paisami

13 Isaac Henry

14 Lachie Anderson

15 Nicholas Conway

Reserves

Zac Hough, Harrison Usher, Zane Nonggorr, Hamish Muller, Tom Robinson, Kalani Thomas, Carter Gordon, Jock Campbell, Aidan Ross, Nick Bloomfield, Charlie Brosnan, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan, Will Ross