Queensland Reds team to face Crusaders
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Reds Winger Filipo Daugunu Hits 100 Against Crusaders
Crowd favourite Filipo Daugunu will celebrate his 100th Super Rugby appearance on Saturday night's grand stage at Suncorp Stadium against the Crusaders.
Daugunu's high-voltage style for the Queensland Reds has been a major plus this year and in 2025 since his return to Brisbane in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
The 31-year-old has been selected on the wing for Saturday night after scoring his 35th Super Rugby try in last weekend's loss to the Western Force. Daugunu's 99 Super Rugby games include 12 outings during his time as a Melbourne Rebel.
Two changes to the starting side have been made for Saturday night. Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler and winger Tim Ryan come in for Josh Nasser and Treyvon Pritchard, both ruled out as they advance through HIA protocols.
On the bench, experienced hooker Richie Asiata and centre Isaac Henry are fresh figures to add punch later in the game.
"It's great to see 'Lipo' reach this milestone," Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
"The guys love playing with him. He's a fantastic character in our locker room and on the field.
"He makes so many crucial plays whether that's in attack, a big moment in defence or one of his trademark jackals at the breakdown."
Fans have reacted to the Crusaders playing at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 2023 with a strong take-up of tickets for Saturday night.
The night will be elevated by the presence of members of the Reds' 2011 championship team who famously toppled the Crusaders in front of a full house at Suncorp Stadium to claim the title. Members of the team will show off the 2011 Super Rugby trophy to the crowd in the half hour before the 7:35pm kick-off.
Saturday's match-up is one of the most anticipated in Super Rugby in Australia and will be amplified by the Queensland Rugby Union celebrating Country Round.
The Country Round theme offers country fans, families and players a chance to attend a prime Super Rugby match during the school holidays while also celebrating the strong Country origins of players and coaches at the Reds.
Kiss, a Bundaberg product, said Country Round adds to the connection the Reds feel with their fans at Suncorp Stadium.
"We really appreciate the support we get at home at Suncorp Stadium. It gives us a great sense of pride that we represent the state of Queensland and Country Round just adds to that feeling," Kiss said.
Kiss said the clash against the Crusaders is a challenge the team is looking forward to.
"We are certainly playing one of the form teams. Super Rugby Pacific does not relent. It is a fantastic comp and we meet a big challenge this week," Kiss said.
Reds centre Josh Flook said players had refocussed after last weekend's disappointment against the Force.
"There were obviously lots of individual looks in the mirror. You've got to take care of your own performance first and we've come in this week as a group and gone back to a few of our principles of the past few years," Flook said.
"It's been looking at what we can do better and putting that altogether for an 80-minute performance.
"They are an electric team. This weekend has got to be a whole 15-man performance on the field from us.
Queensland Reds
1 Aidan Ross - Bond University - Otumoetai College, NZ - Te Puke Sports
2 Matt Faessler - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
3 Nick Bloomfield - Easts - Anglican Church Grammar School - Easts
4 Seru Uru - Easts - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli RC, Fiji
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Souths - John Edmondson HS, Sydney - Southern Districts, Sydney
6 Joe Brial - University of Queensland - Scots College - Easts, Sydney
7 Fraser McReight (c) - Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek Brumbies
8 Harry Wilson - Brothers - St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace - Gunnedah Red Devils
9 Kalani Thomas - Souths - Ipswich Grammar - Souths
10 Carter Gordon - Wests - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Wests
11 Tim Ryan - Brothers - St Patrick's College, Shorncliffe
12 Hunter Paisami - Wests - Mangere College, Auckland - Manukau Rovers
13 Josh Flook - Brothers - Nudgee College - Brothers
14 Filipo Daugunu - Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
15 Jock Campbell - University of Queensland - The Southport School - Inverell Highlanders
Replacements
16 Richie Asiata - Sunnybank - Anglican Church Grammar School
17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
18 Zane Nonggorr - Bond University - The Southport School - Gold Coast Eagles
19 Hamish Muller - Brothers - Toowoomba Grammar - USQ Saints
20 Vaiuta Latu - Brothers - St Peters Lutheran College - Pine Rivers Pumas
21 Louis Werchon - Wests - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Maroochydore Swans
22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Wests - Brisbane Boys’ College - Gunnedah Red Devils
23 Isaac Henry - Wests - Brisbane Boys' College - Kenmore Bears
Unavailable through injury: Lachie Anderson, George Blake, Josh Canham, Nicholas Conway, Massimo De Lutiis, Tate McDermott, Josh Nasser, Treyvon Pritchard
"They are going to get a break here and there so it's about our hustle to get back, being useful to help each other in defence and making those two-man tackles to put them on the back foot. It'll take that team mentality to get one over them."
