The Queensland Reds kick-started their 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign in style, riding a try-of-the-year contender to a 31–14 bonus-point win over the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
After a limp opening-round loss to the Waratahs and a second-round bye, the Reds responded with attacking flair and committed defence, absorbing Highlanders pressure before striking clinically at both ends.
The moment that ignited Brisbane came early. A cut-out pass from Jock Campbell put Harry Wilson into space, and the No.8’s audacious no-look, between-the-legs flick found Josh Flook. Flook nudged a clever kick that Tim Ryan regathered before kicking ahead for new captain Fraser McReight, who won the race to the ball.
The Reds raced to a 12–0 lead and held a 19–7 advantage before the Highlanders rallied through skipper Timoci Tavatavanawai to close within five. But Queensland’s response was emphatic. From a quick-thinking line-out, Hunter Paisami played on to send Lukhan Salakaia-Loto crashing over.
Backrower Vaiuta Latu then sealed the result, scooping up loose ball after a Filipo Daugunu grubber to score.
The Highlanders pushed late, with Te Kamaka Howden twice denied—first held up by Joe Brial, then spilling the ball inches from the line—as the Reds protected their bonus point.
In midfield, Flook and Paisami straightened the attack to punch holes, Ryan was tireless on both sides of the ball and earned a try, while Campbell dazzled at fullback, repeatedly beating the first defender.
Making his Reds debut after returning from an NRL stint, Carter Gordon showed flashes of quality alongside some rust as he works back from preseason leg niggles—but on a night of confidence and creativity, the Reds’ season finally found lift-off.
Queensland Reds 31 (Tries: McReight, Faessler, Ryan, Salakaia-Loto, Latu; Cons: Werchon 2, Campbell) def Highlanders 14 (Tries: Lennox, Casey; Cons: Millar 2)
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Louis Werchon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (captain), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Adam Lennox, 8 Lucas Casey, 7 Sean Withy (co-captain), 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Will Stodart, 3 Rohan Wingham, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Oliver Haig, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
English