Tables turn for Wallabies hopeful Richie Asiata in Reds revival

Richie Asiata jokes that you’d see him trailing in the background if you look up highlights of his star-studded high school rugby side.

It was more of the same at the Queensland Reds last year when the injured hooker watched fellow No.2s Matt Faessler and Josh Nasser earn their Test caps.

Things have changed dramatically in 2025, though. The 29-year-old at one point the only fit, capped player in his position.

He’s thriving as the Reds’ leading try-scorer, with seven, and talking down his prospects of a shock Wallabies call-up for the British and Irish Lions visit.

“Pretty lucky to play in that team,” he said of his undefeated 2014 GPS powerhouse Churchie team that featured Kalyn Ponga, Brodie Croft, Liam Wright, Izaia Perese and other future professional standouts.

“Just happy to be there to be honest … you look at the highlights, you always see me in the background.”

Asiata credits his 2025 form to an off-season stint with Northland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship that got minutes in the legs of a player struck down three times by knee injuries and then by a neck complaint.

“I just wanted to get back playing again,” he said ahead of Saturday’s crucial Super Rugby clash with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

“The boys were playing the house down and knew I had to catch up.

“You always play your type of game, and when you get your chance, make sure you make it last.

“So I’m just trying to last out here until the boys come back.”

Faessler (hamstring) is unlikely to play again for the Reds this season, while Nasser returned via the bench in last week’s tight defeat of the NSW Waratahs.

The pair both scored against the Waratahs, Asiata enjoying the Reds’ rolling maul dominance this year after a schoolboy career at Churchie spent keeping up with his flying backs.

The Reds, assured of a finals berth but chasing a top-three finish and a home quarter-final, are five points behind the third-placed Crusaders.

The Brumbies are two points further ahead in second, but have played one more game than both the Reds and Crusaders.

Saturday’s result will have major finals implications with just two regular-season rounds to play.

“It’s massive for us … we lost here (in Brisbane) against Brumbies, we want to get one over them,” Asiata said of Saturday’s high-stakes clash.

“We’ll take it game by game and wherever we land in the finals, we’ll be ready to go.”