CHRIS Latham is to run drills against the quick-stepping wingers at his Japanese club to make sure his 41-year-old legs are ready for the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens.

The Reds legend will be unveiled as the wildcard pick for the Queensland side at the exciting two-day tournament at Suncorp Stadium on February 11-12.

The “wildcard” is a winning concept because the NSW Waratahs are expected to add their own vintage star power by inviting dual international Lote Tuqiri.

At 37, crowd favourite Tuqiri is only two seasons removed from his last NRL match for Souths in their heady 2014 grand final triumph.

Latham says he still has the legs to compete — just. Source: News Corp Australia

With 14 of the world’s top teams committing to the frantic 10-a-side, 10-minute-per-half format, Latham is acutely aware that he doesn’t want to be a sluggish passenger.

“The good thing is I still train skills or fitness every day where I’m backs coach in Japan (with the NTT Docomo club),” the former fullback said.

“I make sure someone is out injured most days so there is an odd number at training and I can run with the backs as a fill-in.

“I feel very privileged to have been approached as a wildcard because I loved representing Queensland and you don’t realise how much you miss something until it’s over.

”There are some steppy, fast wingers at my Japanese club so I’ll get them to do some one-on-ones with me because I don’t want to let anyone down at the Reds.”

The Waratahs looks set to turn to old favourite Tuqiri. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: News Corp Australia

Latham has run the 18km leg of the Harvey Bay 100 long-course triathlon in the coastal town where he has lived for much of the time since he retired from playing in 2012.

The Reds will play Auckland’s Blues (12.56pm) and the Crusaders (6.00pm) on Day One of the Tens and back up against Samoa (11.22am) the following day in Pool B play.

Latham played 117 games for Queensland and his try-scoring exploits thrilled a generation of Reds fans.

The crowd-pulling appeal of Ma’a Nonu’s French side Toulon has been recognised because the games against the ACT Brumbies (5.01pm) and the Western Force (7.56pm) are in prime time on opening day.

Nonu’s match-up against his old Hurricanes side will be a feature match at 11.50am on February 12.

The 10 Super Rugby teams from Australia and New Zealand will use the Brisbane Global Tens as a key part of their season build-up while Toulon, Japan’s Panasonic Wild Knights, South Africa’s Bulls and Samoa will add international flavour.