No one is born a Queensland Red. Every player was once that kid who started rugby life eating lolly snakes at half-time, tackling awkwardly and yearning to score his or her first try.

The net which has gathered the Reds men’s and women’s teams of 2024 has been cast as wide as childhood rugby origins in the USA, England, Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga, Canada, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and myriad points of Queensland.

Kids’ Round this week is one of the best initiatives of Super Rugby Pacific because it celebrates something every player has in common.

Delving a little deeper into the childhood histories of the Reds unearthed tales every rugby youngster or footy parent can relate to.

Harry Wilson played his first rugby as a three-year-old in a Gunnedah Red Devils side with two brothers under the coaching of his father.

It started a journey through the juniors he still recalls fondly.

“Playing footy with my mates, long car trips to games and a takeaway breakkie from Maccas is a memory I’ll always have,” Wilson said.

“I loved my snakes at half-time.

I can have a few before the game now (in the Reds dressing room).

“By the time I was 12 and playing for Brothers I was running into a chubby No.8 from Albany Creek juniors who was always on the go and one of the best in any game.”

Wilson was referring to his now-backrow partner Fraser McReight, a non-stop force even in juniors for the Albany Creek Brumbies.

As family history goes, the young McReight always nagged about getting a go in the backs.

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