Reds reveal 2020 Super Rugby squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has confirmed the Queensland Reds playing squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season.
In total, 31 players of the current 34-man squad have been retained from last season as Queensland continues to identify and develop elite Rugby talent at Ballymore.
Of the current squad, 90 percent have come through the Queensland pathway having represented Queensland at either Schoolboys, Under-19s or U20s level, playing Queensland Premier Rugby or with either Bond University Queensland Country or Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship (NRC).
Twelve players have re-signed for the 2020 season, including Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson who have all signed four-year contract extensions through 2023, while Harry Hoopert, Alex Mafi and Hamish Stewart have re-committed for a further three years.
With the addition of Jordan Petaia who signed a four-year deal in 2018, a total of nine players have inked long-term deals to remain in Queensland to provide continuity and stability to QRU’s strategy to develop elite homegrown talent in Queensland.
Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Bryce Hegarty, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Feao Fotuaika have also re-signed with the Reds through 2021, while Chris Feauai-Sautia will remain at Ballymore through next season.
The Reds welcome three new players in 2020 with Australian backline stars James O’Connor and Henry Speight set to link up with their new Queensland teammates later this year, while imposing Fijian backrower Seru Uru has been signed through 2021 following his standout form in Queensland Premier Rugby with Easts.
Last season’s Developing Squad players Sean Farrell, Carter Gordon, Tom Kibble, Josh Nasser and Michael Wood have all been promoted into the Reds Wider Training Squad, while exciting utility back Isaac Lucas is now a part of Queensland’s contracted playing squad.
There’s set to be further announcements ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season, including a handful of Queensland Pathway products who will be handed Developing Squad contracts following the 2019 NRC season with Brisbane City and Queensland Country.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: "It’s great to keep a consistent squad heading into the 2020 season.
"90 percent of our players have come through the system here in Queensland which goes to show what we’re trying to do here.
"Nine of the lads have signed long-term deals to remain at Queensland and there’s more to come. This is a great sign for the future of Queensland Rugby. It’s important we continue to develop this elite talent coming through.
"We saw signs of improvement last season. We did some really good things, but ultimately, we were disappointed not to be playing finals footy.
"The majority of this group have been together now for close to four years. The longer we can keep these same men together at Queensland, the sooner we’ll see success here. As a group, we’re excited for the challenge ahead in 2020," said Thorn.
Thorn will once again lead a world-class coaching roster at Queensland alongside assistants Jim McKay (attack) and Peter Ryan (defence).
As part of the QRU’s strategy to identify and develop emerging Rugby talent in Queensland, the Reds senior coaching staff will work closely with the newly appointed Reds Academy head coach Rod Seib along with Paul Carozza as Head of Talent Management.
Queensland Reds 2020 Squad: Angus Blyth, Sean Farrell, Feao Fotuaika, Harry Hockings, Harry Hoopert, Tom Kibble, Alex Mafi, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Taniela Tupou, Seru Uru, Harry Wilson, Michael Wood, Liam Wright, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Carter Gordo, Jack Hardy, Bryce Hegarty, Isaac Lucas, Scott Malolua, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Moses Sorovi, Henry Speight, Hamish Stewart.