Cotter backs two 21-year-old forwards to inject power as Reds close Super Rugby AUS season against Brumbies

Queensland Reds coach Vern Cotter has turned to two 21-year-olds to freshen up his forward pack for Saturday’s Super Rugby AUS regular-season finale against the ACT Brumbies, naming prop Trevor King and backrower Vaiuta Latu in his starting XV. Both sides head into the match without a win, having each lost their opening two fixtures of the 2026 campaign.

Cotter made the changes after a 47-19 defeat to the NSW Waratahs at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma, a result he described as far from the team’s best. Despite the heavy scoreline, he drew encouragement from a three-try burst in the final 25 minutes, pointing to the group’s character as a reason for cautious optimism.

“It was not our best performance by far. There were opportunities created as always but we’ve got to finish them. We missed kicks to the corner and there were little inaccuracies,” Cotter said. “I was pleased with the character to come back to score three tries. We feel Trevor and Vaiuta will bring a bit of power to our game which we’ve been lacking a bit.”

King slots in at tighthead prop alongside captain and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler and loosehead George Blake, while Latu takes the No. 8 jersey. Locks Will Ross and Charlie Brosnan — both from Brothers Rugby — continue their partnership in the tight five, with Joe Brial and John Bryant named as the starting flankers.

In the backs, Easts centre Jake Pappin starts at inside centre and former Flying Fijians playmaker Ben Volavola lines up at fullback, the two most notable changes to an otherwise settled backline. Wallabies fly-half Tom Lynagh retains his place at No. 10, partnered by scrum-half Mosiah Christian, while Sefa Naivalu and Tim Ryan start on the wings with Josh Takai completing the midfield.

Lock John Bryant acknowledged the challenge ahead but said the squad is responding well to the new coaching setup. “It’s always a tough one playing the Brumbies and we want to put our best game together. We’ll be really trying to crank up our ball carries, cleans and physicality in general. I’m really enjoying having Vern in — the new coaching group cut everything out and get straight to the point, which I like.”

The Brumbies arrive in similarly desperate form, having also lost to both the Western Force and the Waratahs, meaning one side will claim a first win of the season when the two meet.