A quartet of Hostplus Cup-experienced players will line up for the Queensland Universities team when they play the old enemy next month.
The University Maroons will play NSW Universities in the annual clash at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Saturday October 19.
Ipswich Jets outside back Byron Johnson will aim to put some bad luck behind him when he plays for the Queensland team.
Johnson made the team last year but suffered an ankle injury in training that kept him out of the 2023 match that was played at North Sydney Oval.
This time he will get his chance to shine on home soil in maroon, as will Souths Logan outside back Braden Whittaker.
Mackay Cutters back rower Tom McNulty has also been selected and will play in a forward pack that includes another Ipswich Jet, Max Banditt.
Zane Ford (Wynnum Manly) and Samuel Shannon (Southport Tigers) will back up to play for Queensland after playing in the City-Country XXXX Challenge game before the Hostplus Cup Grand Final last weekend.
Meanwhile, there is just one week until applications close for the first ever Queensland Universities women’s team that will play on the same day.
Eligible students can apply for the Queensland Universities women’s team here
2024 QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITIES TEAM (alphabetical)
Max Banditt – Griffith Uni (Bachelor of Physiotherapy)
Munga Baruani – Griffith University (Bachelor of Education)
Bailey Black – CQU (Bachelor of Exercise Science)
Josh Colls – USQ (Bachelor of Education)
Tenzin Contor – James Cook Uni (Bachelor of Commerce)
Zane Ford – QUT (Bachelor of Paramedicine)
Riley Frame – Qld TAFE
Patrick Hoult – ACU (Bachelor of Teaching/Exercise Science)
Byron Johnson – University of Qld (Bachelor of Physiotherapy)
Brock Lennox - QUT (Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching)
Tom McNulty – USQ (Masters in Teaching)
Max Nelson – QUT (Bachelor of Business/Behavioural Science)
Max Pakai – Qld TAFE (Cert III in Electrotechnology)
Will Ramsey - Southern Cross University (Bachelor of Education)
Tieran Ross – TAFE Qld (Certificate III in Carpentry)
Samuel Shannon – Griffith Uni (Bachelor of Education)
Josh Whittaker – Adapt Education
Braden Whittaker – Busy At Work
Coach: Jody Barlow
Assistant Coaches: Colin Speed and Ian Turner
Manager: Mark Lane
Physiotherapist: Mitch Chad
Trainer: Lee Munt
