Reds hand teen Treyvon Pritchard first Super Rugby start at fullback against Fijian Drua

Treyvon Pritchard will start at fullback for the Queensland Reds in their final regular-season Super Rugby Pacific match against Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, marking the 19-year-old’s first appearance in the No.15 jersey at this level.

Pritchard steps in for Jock Campbell, who has been rested after a standout season that put him firmly in contention for the Wallabies fullback jersey. The switch signals the confidence coach Les Kiss has in the teenager, who has caught the eye since making his Super Rugby debut this year — including a try in last round’s win over Moana Pasifika.

Reds skipper Fraser McReight made no attempt to hide his enthusiasm for the youngster ahead of the match. “Really excited for him — he’s looking dangerous out there,” the flanker said. “He’s able to beat defenders easily and maintain his composure in the collisions. At home as well, so in front of his mum and his dad and his other siblings, it’s going to be exciting.”

Pritchard’s performances have drawn attention beyond Super Rugby. The NRL’s incoming PNG Chiefs side have reportedly identified him as a target, and he has also attracted interest from the Crusaders’ cashed-up rivals, who are keen to reunite him with his 21-year-old brother Kadin, a centre at the Brumbies.

The stakes are considerable for the sixth-placed Reds, who could climb as high as fourth with a win if results elsewhere go their way. Failure to move up the standings would send them to Wellington to face table-topping Hurricanes in the first round of the finals.

McReight also welcomed the return of lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who starts after becoming a father for the third time on Tuesday. Salakaia-Loto partners Josh Canham, who completed a full 80 minutes in the narrow win over Moana Pasifika. “He’s been a super abrasive sort of lock and the character within the group — the boys are amped to have him back,” McReight said. “He’s going to do wonders for us.”

McReight framed Friday’s match as having a dual purpose: securing a strong ladder position and sharpening the execution that will be needed in the finals. “You want to work on the things that you haven’t been executing and you want to finish high on the ladder,” he said. “Whatever team we come up against in the final, they know that we’re a great side and we can play some really good football — but that’s next week.”