Reds re-sign young props after breakout Super Rugby campaigns

The Queensland Reds have re-signed two promising front-row prospects, with pathway products Nick Bloomfield and George Blake staying in the Sunshine State after making at least three starts each during the 2026 season.

Bloomfield and Blake are coming off breakout Super Rugby Pacific campaigns, having logged career-highs for minutes in a single season. Both props were able to lay down a marker in the run-on side and play their part in some memorable wins.

25-year-old Blake played for Manawatu during the 2024 NPC season in New Zealand before going on to make 17 appearances in maroon over the next two years. Blake hadn’t started for the Reds since May 19, 2023, before getting a chance in round 13 this season.

The loosehead featured in the run-on side against the Chiefs, Western Force and Moana Pasifika before shifting back to the bench for the team’s final two games. Blake has re-signed for 2027, now with 31 Reds matches to his name.

“It was definitely a confidence booster knowing the coaches had that belief in me,” Blake said of the 2026 Super Rugby season,” Blake said.

“This season, I feel I’ve made improvements in getting around the field more for involvements away from doing my job at the set piece.

“I’m real excited to keep playing for the Reds. Queensland is home.

“You keep learning as a prop. Little things I’ve picked up from Aidan I try to implement into my own game. ’Choc’ has a real focus on doing the little things well to make the big things work.”

Bloomfield didn’t play during the opening five rounds of the 2026 season but then got chances to start in four straight appearances. The 22-year-old hadn’t started at Super Rugby Pacific level before, but got an opportunity against the Fijian Drua and then Hurricanes.

That clash with eventual finalists the Hurricanes saw Bloomfield pack down opposite Xavier Numia, who was this week named in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year. Asafo Aumua and Tevita Mafileo rounded out an All-Star Canes front row trio.

The former Australia U20 prop has made a dozen appearances for Queensland over two seasons, and the young gun will look to build on that after putting pen to paper on a two-year deal through 2028.

“I had a really good experience this year in terms of understanding what it’s like at Super Rugby level,” Bloomfield said.

“I got to scrum against top Kiwi props like Xavier Numia and Wallabies like Tom Robertson. At Reds training, I get to scrum against a Test prop in Aidan Ross and pick up ideas and techniques.

“It’s all a good wake-up to how much work you need to do to succeed consistently at this level.”

Sam Cordingley, Reds General Manager, High Performance, added: “Nick and George both show the benefits of years of consistent development through our Queensland rugby system,” Cordingley said.

“Both earned considerable opportunities in Super Rugby Pacific this year and can take that confidence and experience into the future.

“We are delighted to have re-signed two very good young props.”