The Queensland Reds have unveiled forward Toby Brial and utility back Coby Miln as the latest additions to their 2027 squad for the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season. The 41-strong squad includes 17 players with Test experience for the Wallabies, among them Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott, who have all captained their state and country.
Experienced depth in the squad
The Reds’ squad carries significant experience. Four players have reached 100 Super Rugby or cap games for their clubs, and 11 more have played more than 50 times. Izaia Perese, the hard-running 2023 World Cup centre, joins the group alongside young forwards Lachie Hooper and Toby Brial, Australia A prop Tom Lambert, former Wallabies lock Cadeyrn Neville, Australia Under-20s centre Taione Taka and Miln.
Brial, 20, is a 1.93m backrower who excelled at lock in six matches for the Australia U20s this year while involved in the NSW Waratahs program. As a Reds development player, he will join his older brother Joe in the squad.
Miln, a 27-year-old New Zealander, has spent the past four years playing in Japan, New Zealand, the USA and Australia to sharpen his playmaking. Over the past 14 months, he guided Warringah to the 2025 Shute Shield title from flyhalf, steered California Legion to a Major League Rugby grand final, and played a key role for North Harbour in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship. He will add depth at No.10 alongside Wallabies Carter Gordon and Tom Lynagh, while Australia U20s flyhalf Finn Mackay recovers from major knee surgery in August.
Overseas tour sets the tone
The China Airlines Queensland Reds International Tour to Japan and Italy in November gives the club a sharp focus at this stage of the year. Head Coach Vern Cotter said the squad has completed three good weeks of training and will head out on tour next week.
“Playing four games overseas will be a strong way to reinforce the style of game we want to put on the field next year,” Cotter said. “The Reds used 37 players during this year’s Super Rugby season so we know how valuable a tour like this is. It will develop our depth and effective habits to take on a season that has been extended to 16 games (from 14 in the regular season).”
Cotter also outlined the squad’s makeup. Lachie Hooper, after an excellent season for Northland in the NPC, has yet to join the group. Perese has been fully involved in training for some time, while Miln and Brial are new arrivals. “There is a lot of top-level experience in our Wallabies,” Cotter said. “It will be exciting to put all the pieces together and get the growth I see in this squad for the new season.”
Season opener and new faces
The Reds open their 2027 campaign against the Crusaders in Christchurch on February 12. They then host the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, February 21.
Brial said he is eager to step outside his comfort zone. He has been part of the NSW academy since he was 14 and will train with familiar Australia U20 teammates, including Taka, who is also on a Reds development deal, along with Will Ross and Treyvon Pritchard. “I’ve heard good things about the culture at the Reds and how the strong connection between the boys means they are not here just for a job,” Brial said. He also pointed to the club’s overseas tours as an area where the Reds lead the other franchises.
Miln played a single Super Rugby game for the Western Force in 2025. “I’m really excited about this chance at the Reds. It wasn’t something I expected,” said Miln, a proven goalkicker. “I know my game has grown. Playing in different environments is experience that has allowed me to think about rugby in different ways and work on a lot of things.”