Petaia and O’Connor take centre stage for Reds

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Reds have announced a 26-man squad for their second pre-season fixture against the Waratahs in Dalby on Friday.

23 of the 26 players named will back-up from last week’s 57-5 win over the Rebels in Gladstone, as the Reds ramp-up their preparations for next Friday’s Super Rugby opener against the Brumbies.

Henry Speight will start on the wing in his first outing for Queensland, while Jordan Petaia is set to line-up alongside James O’Connor in an exciting centre-pairing combination.

After playing in all eight matches for Brisbane City in last year’s National Rugby Championship (NRC), University of Queensland loose forward Sam Wallis has been selected in the uncapped fixture after being invited to train with the Reds during the pre-season.

Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: "It’s great we can take another pre-season match to country Queensland. As a group, we’re looking forward to connecting with the Dalby community.

"The Waratahs will provide a good contest for us as we focus on our season opener against the Brumbies next week," said Thorn.

It’ll be the first time in more than a decade Queensland has played New South Wales in a pre-season fixture in regional Queensland after last hosting the Waratahs in 2009 at Gold Park in Toowoomba.

Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 James O’Connor, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Isaac Lucas, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (captain), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Dane Zander.

Replacements - from: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Dave Feao, Josh Nasser, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru Moses Sorovi, Hamish Stewart, Ilaisa Droasese, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Sam Wallis, Hunter Paisami.

Date: Friday, January 24

Venue: Dalby Leagues Club, Queensland

Kick-off: 19.30 (07.30 GMT)

Referee: TBC