Taka looks big!Reds sign Taione Taka and Treyvon Pritchard to 2 year academy contract, both outside backs
Queensland Reds 2026
- Thread starter Adam84
- Start date
Adam84
John Eales (66)
Wow this is a bit interesting,
The Queensland Rugby Union and Benetton Rugby have today announced a progressive partnership which will see four Reds players join the leading Italian club on secondment.
Across three months, the quartet will be exposed to high-level fixtures in the United Rugby Championship in Europe and the different game styles of the clubs involved.
The partnership will extend to the Queensland Reds making a first-time visit to Treviso to play against Benetton Rugby in November, 2026.
Centre Flook, backrower Bryant, hooker Asiata and halfback Werchon will fly out in July and return in October which means they will be available to play in the opening rounds of the URC in late September-October.
During this period, all players will remain eligible for international selection as a stipulation of the secondment.
Queensland Reds head to Italy in landmark partnership with Benetton Treviso
The Queensland Rugby Union and Benetton Rugby have today announced a progressive partnership which will see four Reds players join the leading Italian club on secondment.
Across three months, the quartet will be exposed to high-level fixtures in the United Rugby Championship in Europe and the different game styles of the clubs involved.
The partnership will extend to the Queensland Reds making a first-time visit to Treviso to play against Benetton Rugby in November, 2026.
Centre Flook, backrower Bryant, hooker Asiata and halfback Werchon will fly out in July and return in October which means they will be available to play in the opening rounds of the URC in late September-October.
During this period, all players will remain eligible for international selection as a stipulation of the secondment.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
I really like this, very creative thinking and getting more time for some up and coming players. If you look at the competition in their positions I'd wager we might not have retained all of these guys without this opportunity.
Timing is a little unclear (when in October do they return?) but they'll likely miss all of Super AU which is probably the only downside. Still, that gives Martens, Pakeho/Goldsbrough, Craig and probably Robinson some chances they otherwise would've missed out on.
Timing is a little unclear (when in October do they return?) but they'll likely miss all of Super AU which is probably the only downside. Still, that gives Martens, Pakeho/Goldsbrough, Craig and probably Robinson some chances they otherwise would've missed out on.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
It's November 2026, so Kiss will have already moved into the Wallabies role (starts for the July tests)
Ignoto
John Hipwell (52)
Ah you're right completely missed the 2026 part, just assumed it was happening this year.
Hopefully the Reds can play Bristol or someone similar again. A three to four match tour would be great.
Strewthcobber
Michael Lynagh (62)
Hopefully they get a better schedule worked out than last season. Not sure putting 80 points on the D team benefited much for anyone
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Reds also looking to explore deals with US sides and make the most of Petaia's jump to the NFL from a marketing perspective:
www.smh.com.au
Really happy to see them getting creative and looking at these opportunities to both improve the rugby program and grow the Reds brand.
Reds eye global takeover, spurred by former Wallaby’s daring US move
A rugby boss has outlined visions of taking the Reds brand global, and Jordan Petaia’s NFL dream could hold the key to realising them.
Really happy to see them getting creative and looking at these opportunities to both improve the rugby program and grow the Reds brand.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
Felt like I'd read this before and realised yeah the Tahs and San Diego from 2021. MLR is a fun novelty but so flighty it's hard to get any roots. Europe and Japan are stable environments.
JRugby2
Nev Cottrell (35)
But also existing markets. The Reds are looking for new ways to make cash in emerging spaces according to that article (while also strengthening their ties to Japan and Europe with Pana and Bennetton)
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
The US is a looong way from making cash. Will be tipping into that one for a while. Self sustaining is about as far as the MLR will get
JRugby2
Nev Cottrell (35)
Yeah probably but if the Reds can get a game somewhere and take home some cash + expose their fringe players to the international side of rugby than that's probably the win they want.
SouthernX
Greg Davis (50)
Similar time of years schedule as well.
MLR doesn’t work for loan exchange - we going to send more players to do NFL training camp?
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
Flook already called into the Wallabies squad since the announcement.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
I mentioned in the QPR thread that at a rugby luncheon last week, Kiss was there and during his interview he made an offhanded comment apologising to QPR coaches about players being unavailable for finals due to new scheduling arrangements.
I am guessing this is part of that - as the 4 players going on transfer would have been great additions for their QPR teams over these weeks. Although as I mentioned above, Flook has since joined the Wallabies anyway.
A non-issue. They’re contracted by qld reds not the Brisbane club.
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Double edged sword though - whilst the Reds benefit from these individual players getting experience & higher level exposure OS, there is also a lot of benefits in having as many of these guys playing in Premier rugby and raising the standard of the comp. I thought this was especially positive when lots of the Rebels & Drua players were also coming back into the comp - even though it created a bit of ‘have & have nots’ in QPR.