Reds reward backrow prospect Vaiuta Latu with new deal through 2027

Vaiuta Latu wasn’t selected in the Australia Under-20s squad last year, leaving the young loose forward “a bit down.” Latu used that disappointment as motivation and it’s paid off in a big way, with the Queensland Rugby Union announcing the 20-year-old has signed through 2027.

Latu debuted for the Queensland Reds against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights last year and showed signs of promise during the inaugural Super Rugby AUS campaign. While the backrower had already been included in the Reds squad for 2026, his deal has been extended.

Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson is set to spend approximately six weeks on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery, making Latu a realistic option to wear the No. 8 jersey during the early rounds in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

With a 116-kilogram frame, Latu is one to watch with the Reds over the next two seasons, having already impressed in the maroon jersey. Latu ran 13 times for 74 metres in Queensland’s first Super Rugby AUS match last season, scoring a try and setting up another as well.

“It’s exciting to know I’ll be at the Reds for the next two years,” Latu said.

“Coming into the Reds for Super Rugby AUS last September was a great experience to connect with the older boys in the squad.

“You can’t help but be a sponge for what they are teaching.

“Being involved in the Reds Academy meant I’d played a lot of defence against the main Reds boys at training but it was good to switch that to carrying the ball and being in the team.”

Latu is a product of St Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane, earning a spot in the Reds’ 2026 squad after making a positive impression late last year. That time with the squad during Super Rugby AUS and against the Wild Knights left the prospect hungry for more.

While there are nerves there, “all the work I’ve done in off-season training with the squad makes the next step not look as big.” The Reds will name their first team of 2026 on Wednesday, ahead of a trial against the Western Force in Perth.

“I played in a winning second-grade grand final with Brothers and a few weeks later I was in the deep end playing Super Rugby AUS and against the Wild Knights,” Latu explained.

“Obviously, the speed to the game is a lot quicker.

“I’m nervous but it’s good nervous about striving to play as many Super Rugby Pacific games as I can this season and against some big names.

“I was a bit down but I used it as good motivation. I had some things to work on and I dedicated sessions to those core skills like cleanouts,” he added about missing Australia U20s selection.

“Rubbing shoulders with the top forwards in the Reds squad every day and a breakdown coach like ‘Fish’ (assistant coach Jonathan Fisher) has rubbed off in terms of improvements too.”

Reds coach Les Kiss added: “Vaiuta stepped up in the first game he played for us as a late replacement. He’s been impressive in his games and at training since and this is a worthy reward.”