Feleti Kaitu’u named in Queensland Reds squad for clash with Tonga

Former Wallabies hooker Feleti Kaitu’u is poised to make his Queensland debut on Friday when the Reds meet Tonga in Nukuʻalofa.

Kaitu’u, 29, who made three appearances for the Wallabies in 2021, has been playing club rugby for GPS since his Western Force contract expired at the end of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season.

The former Queensland Country front-rower has been named on the Reds bench, with Richie Asiata the starting hooker.

Packing down alongside Asiata will be prop Massimo De Lutiis, who will start for the Reds for the first time after coming off the bench in Queensland’s 36-35 loss to Wales at Suncorp Stadium last Friday night.

“This trip to Tonga is a great chance to put into action the skills I’ve been learning at training and playing for Easts in club footy,” 20-year-old De Lutiis said.

“I was only on the field for a short time against Wales last Friday but the crowd atmosphere was fantastic and it really made you want to be a part of that match.”

In the only other change to the Reds team that started against the Welsh, former Melbourne Rebels winger Lachie Anderson replaces Floyd Aubrey, who drops to the bench.

Reds coach Les Kiss said while his side was stinging from its narrow loss last week, the “Welsh experience was unbelievable”.

“It really hurts to lose but that was probably the best games Wales have played for 10 or 12 games,” Kiss said.

“The boys did a fantastic job. We had senior players like James O’Connor, Jock Campbell and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen step up for us against Wales but also young guys like Dre Pakeho, just 19, and playing for the first time as a Red.

“It’s Tonga this week and we’re really keen to continue the international exposure for our players and staff.

“The Tongan side will have a lot of quality players with size and explosiveness so you don’t go there and take your eye off the ball.

“All these experiences are going to massively arm us.”

Reds: Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Massimo De Lutiis, Connor Vest, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, John Bryant, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, James O’Connor, Mac Grealy, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell. Bench: Feleti Kaitu’u, Matt Gibbon, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Josh Canham, Taine Roiri, Will Cartwright, Mason Gordon, Floyd Aubrey.