Ex-NZ U20 and Canterbury enforcer re-signs with Queensland Reds

After a series of strong performances for the Queensland Reds this season, backrower Joe Brial has re-signed with the Queensland Rugby Union for 2026. Having featured for Australia A against England A six months ago, this news comes as a significant boost for the Reds.

Brial started at No. 8 when that Australian side took the field at the Twickenham Stoop, taking on the likes of Henry Pollock in a highly anticipated clash. That selection reflects the potential Brial has in Australian rugby, having impressed in Super Rugby Pacific since April 2024.

Coach Les Kiss handed Brial a debut at Super Rugby level against the Highlanders in Brisbane last year, which the Reds won 31-nil. Brial made another three appearances off the bench before starting in Queensland’s backrow for the first time away to the NSW Waratahs.

With Liam Wright, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson all competing for spots in the run-on side, Brial was named on the bench to start the season before coming into the starting side for a seventh-round clash with the Western Force at home.

Brial has featured in 11 of 12 Reds matches this season, having started six times, including an 80-minute shift against the ladder-leading Chiefs in Hamilton. Against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, Brial led the way with 93 carry metres and 12 stops in defence.

“We have a quality playing group and I have great mates here as well. The coaching staff is world class and has also built a really good team culture,” Brial said in a statement.

“You get good and honest feedback (from the coaches) which makes getting better enjoyable.

“All the factors made it pretty easy to re-sign when the opportunity came up.

“For sure, good consistent minutes have, personally, helped with good growth in my game and given me a lot more confidence at this level,” Brial said.

“We have some international-level backrowers at the club and learning stuff from them has definitely been part of that growth.”

Brial played for the 2019 Australian Schools & Under-18s team and later the New Zealand Under 20s in 2022. The son of former Wallaby Michael Brial continued to develop in the Crusaders Academy and Canterbury in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.

After making three appearances for Canterbury in the 2023 NPC season, Brial signed inked a deal with the Reds in September, 2023. Fast-forward to now, and current Reds coach Kiss is thrilled to see Brial reman at Ballymore for another season.

“The growth in Joe’s game over the past 12-18 months has been massive and we’ve seen it come to the fore with his performance against the Chiefs and other opponents,” Kiss added.

“To have his qualities in our backrow depth, game on game, is brilliant.”