Tim Ryan stars against the Highlanders, as incoming Wallabies coach hints a Test rise beckoned

He even did well to get a hit on rampaging Highlanders centre Timoci Tavatavanawai, who would have been certain to score if not for Ryan’s involvement, and did so below his physical best, with Kiss suggesting he had been nursing a stomach bug which left him feeling ill at halftime.

“We’d still like him to be a little more energetic off the ball at times, but I thought tonight he really stepped up for us. For a young guy like that, he’s only been out two games, but there is more in him,” Kiss said.

“He knows that, he’s really put his head down, knuckled down and getting what he needs to do to be a better player at this level so he can attain higher levels. But he’s willing to work hard, and I think he’s getting some return from it.”

Ryan was brilliantly supported in the backline by outside centre Josh Flook, whose short passing game and kick awareness featured in three of the Reds tries.

The shift of Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii to No.13 for the Waratahs may be an indication of where he fits into the Wallabies set-up, but the 24-year-old Queenslander seems to be doing all he can to prove he warrants the chance to add to his six Test caps.

Is Gordon the answer?

Carter Gordon’s maiden outing with the Reds proved a mixed bag, leaving question marks remaining over who Kiss’ leading five-eighth will be.

The returning Wallaby, who missed the season launch with a leg issue, rarely took the game by the scruff of the neck, but appeared to build into the contest the longer it drew on.

An early skewed kick out on the full off the side of his boot ultimately did not cost his side, while his powerful grubber targeted straight at Tavatavanawai forced an error to get Queensland deep on the attack.

Reds hooker Matthew Faessler would score shortly after from a rolling maul. Come the second half, and Gordon’s kicking game looked more settled – back-to-back efforts after the Highlanders had scored through No.8 Lucas Casey allowing his outfit to wrestle back some momentum.

His defence was also aggressive, as he seeks to fend off a challenge from fellow Test star Tom Lynagh, who could return as early as next week from hamstring issues.

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It was always going to take time for Gordon to regain the standing which thrust him into a Wallabies jumper for the 2023 World Cup, having spent most of 2025 on the sidelines with a spinal fluid leak suffered during his time in rugby league with the Gold Coast Titans.

While he was parachuted onto last year’s Spring Tour upon his comeback to union, he sustained a broken nose, cracked wrist and torn quad to limit his involvement. But Kiss was confident the building blocks put in place on Friday would be a launchpad towards greater success.

“Of his own admission, there were a couple of fumbles and a few passes and kicks that weren’t absolutely accurate, however I thought he added a really calm head,” Kiss said of Gordon.

“He gave us direction, he certainly ensured the forwards felt like they were getting on the front foot as much as possible. He’s certainly brave, but I think all our 10s are bloody brave – they all want to put their bodies on the line.

“He played strong and physical, and that’s important. He’s really happy with what is hit-out was, this was his first time with us, so it wasn’t complete, but it was good and strong.”