Watch: Queensland Reds sign young Brothers star, but another gem remains uncovered

The Queensland Reds have moved to secure a trio of young stars including 18-year-old second rower Harry Wilson of Brothers Rugby Club.

Wilson was a standout schoolboy at Gregory Terrace where he represented Australian Schools in 2016, from there the versatile forward made headway into Brothers Premier Grade side, earning Queensland’s U19 Player of the Year award before debuting for Queensland Country in the NRC this year.

The youngster possesses a tremendous range of attacking skills, suited to play an edge forward role where his offloading skills can create space and cause problems for the defence.

The Reds have moved to secure the developing star by signing him to a two-year contract, along with a former schoolboy teammate in speedster Will Eadie and hooker Efi Ma’afu on one-year deals.

“I’ve kept a close eye on Harry’s progress this season in premier rugby and with Queensland Country and he continues to work hard on his game which is pleasing,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said.

He will bolster depth in the second and back row stocks at the Reds, where Thorn can mould now has a budding young pack.

Whether a Super Rugby debut awaits in 2019 will remain to be seen, but Wilson’s potential is too high to see walk away to another franchise.

Wilson’s club teammate at Brothers, openside flanker Fraser McReight, also possesses similar ‘can’t-miss’ potential and would be another prospect the Reds would be wary of leaving unsigned.

The Australian under-20’s representative has established himself at Premier Grade this season along with Wilson, with the two youngsters showing promising ability at such a young age against men.

McReight is a physical defender with a big engine, already showing core strength to hold his own over the ball against much bigger opponents. He has a sixth sense for winning turnovers and his sharp footwork elevates his ball-carrying ability, being able to find space and gainline. He would be the ‘closest thing to Pocock’ seen in years.

Thorn is well aware of McReight’s potential, having handpicked him as a 16-year-old to be apart of the Reds under-20’s after he won 25 turnovers in one eight-game GPS season for Brisbane Grammar School 1st XV in 2016.

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