Date & Time: Saturday, 19 September 2026, 5:45pm AEST. Venue: Gallas Fox Park, Roma. Broadcast: Stan Sport, Rugby.com.au
The Lowdown
Heading out west to Roma for the Santos Festival of Rugby, this classic interstate rivalry takes top billing as the Underdog’s Game of the Week. Queensland returns to the paddock desperate to bounce back from their narrow 29-28 defeat to the Force in Round 1. Vern Cotter must navigate a must-win scenario to keep the Reds final hopes alive, turning to some serious star power in his backline. Former NRL and Tonga international David Fusitu’a earns a start at outside centre straight off a Hospital Cup title with Brothers, replacing the injured Josh Flook. Out wide, former Wallaby speedster Sefa Naivalu dons the maroon jersey for the first time since 2019, while Tom Lynagh continues his comeback at flyhalf under captain Matt Faessler.
The Waratahs roll into country Queensland full of confidence following their opening round win over the Brumbies. Head coach Lachlan McCaffrey has kept a stable backline guided by Max Burey and Teddy Wilson, but forced changes hit the engine room. With Pete Samu sidelined by a scapula injury and Justice Taumoepeau away on Australia U18 duties, Australia U20 star Isaac Fonua takes over at number eight alongside Shute Shield standout Tom Girle on the flank. Lock Eamon Doyle captains the squad alongside enforcer Miles Amatosero, while Wallaby breakdown specialist Luke Reimer is set to make his Waratahs debut from an extended 10-man bench.
Underdog’s Tip
The Waratahs pack plenty of punch, but Queensland playing in front of a packed country crowd with a re-tooled backline will throw everything at their traditional rivals. Expect a physical set-piece battle that stays tight until the dying minutes.
Reds by 3 points (and this may be the Reds man in me).
Team Lists
Team lists are correct as of release via Super Rugby on Wednesday.
Queensland Reds
- George Blake, 2. Matt Faessler (c), 3. Nick Bloomfield, 4. Will Ross, 5. Charlie Brosnan, 6. Tom Robinson, 7. John Bryant, 8. Joe Brial, 9. Mosiah Christian, 10. Tom Lynagh, 11. Sefa Naivalu, 12. Josh Takai, 13. David Fusitu’a, 14. Tim Ryan, 15. Will McCulloch.
Replacements: 16. Zac Hough, 17. Harrison Usher, 18. Trevor King, 19. Dom Thygesen, 20. Vaiuta Latu, 21. Cooper Stewart, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Jake Pappin, 26. Kenny Harris, 28. Alex Flanagan Smith.
NSW Waratahs
- Tom Lambert, 2. Ethan Dobbins, 3. Edwin Langi, 4. Eamon Doyle (c), 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Tom Girle, 7. Marshall Le Maitre, 8. Isaac Fonua, 9. Teddy Wilson, 10. Max Burey, 11. Freedom Vahaakolo, 12. George Poolman, 13. Otto Serfontein, 14. Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong, 15. Sid Harvey.
Replacements: 16. Tyler Maybery, 17. Brady Dawson, 18. Will Goddard, 19. Joe Mangelsdorf, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Luke Reimer, 22. Angus Grover, 23. Joe Dillon, 24. Charlie Bird, 25. Nick Chan.
Scroll inside the box for match stats
I liked the look of Serfontein. Keep an eye on him.
Surfnturf…
cheers mirts.
laters
Wallabies next week
They will go close
Next try wins
that works for me as well!
last score wins!!!
;)
We got it
the tahs have some talent. cheika will do well.
vern has some work to do.
It’s putting me off my xxxx
we need a bit of ´boo a blue´
comeback is on!! noddy jr with the sideline conv.
here we come!!
big 20mins qld!
sorry mirts. this is not enjoyable through my maroon glasses.
I was wondering how good the lights would be in Roma.
Disco started early…….
just found a link that works, saw the last 5 mins of the first half.
what´s it been like mirt?
doesnt seem that the ground is full? 3000 capacity on google.
Tahs started real strong, couple of dominant scrums, two tries in the first 10 minutes or so. Then it’s become an arm wrestle.
Lynagh has put two penalties for the corner dead. Burey nailed a 50/22. So points to Burey at 10. All four centres have looked good, it’s almost like they know what they’re doing.
Lynagh has no idea where to put his head when tackling
Maybe the tahs don’t need Cheika after all
Big scrum