‘Coming into my prime’: Australia A prop joins Reds from Waratahs

Australia A prop Tom Lambert has made the move north of the New South Wales border to the Sunshine State, penning a two-year deal with the Queensland Reds. The 25-year-old brings 30 games of Super Rugby Pacific experience from the NSW Waratahs to Ballymore.

Lambert attended Trinity Grammar in Sydney before heading abroad, playing for Scotland U20 and the Glasgow Warriors before returning to Australia’s shores. The front-rower debuted for the Waratahs on February 24, 2023, having been named in the side to play the ACT Brumbies.

After coming off the pine on debut, Lambert enjoyed a run of three consecutive starts for the Tahs before shifting back to the bench. Lambert started in 13 of 30 appearances in Cambridge Blue, seeing him stand out as an exciting prospect within Australian rugby.

Lambert made two appearances for Australia A against Tonga and Portugal ahead of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 and was selected for those same representative honours the following year, taking on England A in London.

“I feel like the next few years are going to be really exciting in Australian rugby,” Lambert said.

“At 25, I really believe I’m coming into my prime over the next few years and hopefully I give those to the Reds. I like that the Reds play an entertaining brand of rugby and win as well. I’m looking forward to my time in Queensland.

“I’ve seen the connection that the Reds boys have together. That’s one of their strengths.

“The Reds have a strong core of players, they’ve made finals year-on-year and have a good record at knocking off Kiwi teams. I’m keen to get into that environment.”

Lambert made nine starts in 10 appearances for the Waratahs this season, with that sole cameo off the bench coming against the Crusaders in Super Round. One highlight from the prop’s season was a try against the Blues in Sydney, playing 61 minutes that evening.

The Reds recruit joins fellow Australia A representatives like Josh Nasser, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham and Joe Brial in Queensland. Those four all started in the clash with England A, with Henry Pollock suiting up for the home side that day.

“Tom has certainly shown is capacity as a starting loosehead this season,” Sam Cordingley, Reds General Manager, High Performance, said.

“While he arrives at the Reds via a different path, his character, experience and age profile will add to the strength of our squad.”