The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has today confirmed frontrower Josh Nasser and secondrow duo Tuania Taii Tualima and Ryan Smith have all re-signed with the Queensland Reds on two-year deals, while scrumhalf Moses Sorovi has signed a one-year contract extension.
Queensland’s forward pack will be bolstered by the trio’s recommitment that will see them remain at Ballymore through 2022.
Playing seven games this year, Sorovi will look to add to his 31 Queensland caps after re-signing with the Reds through 2021.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “It’s great to have Moses, Josh, Tuaina and Ryan all stay in Queensland.
“It’s really good to see some consistency with our players wanting to remain here and play footy with their mates.
“Josh and Tuaina both made their Queensland debuts this year. Josh has come through as a developing tighthead prop but has moved into the hooker position and has made good progress.
“Tuaina is a versatile backrower/lock and has shown strong contributions during Super Rugby AU. We’re looking for him to take it to the next level in our program.
“Ryan is a good team man. With his height, size and raw ability he has the potential to make an impact in Super Rugby.
“We’re really pleased where Moses is at and we’re pleased he’s staying on for another year,” said Thorn.
Originally from Yam Island in the Torres Strait, Sorovi is a proud Indigenous man who moved to Brisbane to pursue education opportunities.
Following his schooling at St. Peters Lutheran College, Sorovi played Queensland and Australian Schoolboys in 2013.
He was a part of Brisbane City’s National Rugby Championship (NRC) title in 2015, before claiming the inaugural Super U20s championship with Queensland and also the Reserve Grade title with University of Queensland the following year.
In 2017 he made his Super Rugby debut against the Brumbies in Canberra and has gone on to play 31 matches and score two tries for Queensland.
A Queensland pathway product, Nasser represented Queensland at both Schoolboys and U20s level as well as playing for the Junior Wallabies.
The prop-turned-hooker enjoyed two seasons in the NRC with Brisbane City, before he was signed by the Reds on a Developing Squad contract in 2019.
The 21-year-old was elevated into Queensland’s Wider Training Squad for the 2020 season and went on to make his Super Rugby debut against the Lions in Johannesburg back in Round 2 before the COVID-19 competition cancellation.
He played six games for Queensland this year that included scoring his maiden Super Rugby try when he crashed over against the Sunwolves during the Reds’ historic win at Suncorp Stadium.
Like Nasser, Tualima played Schoolboys and U20s for Queensland as well as representing Australia at Schoolboys level in 2014.
Following four seasons with Brisbane City in the NRC, the 23-year-old was handed a contract with the Reds for the 2020 season.
The versatile lock/backrow option made his Queensland debut in the opening round of the Super Rugby AU season against New South Wales and finished the year with a total of eight caps and one try which he scored against the Force in Round 8.
After a standout season with Brisbane City last year under Reds assistant coach Jim McKay, Smith was invited to train with the Reds during the 2020 pre-season and quickly impressed Queensland coaching staff.
The Brothers lock played for Queensland during their trial match against the Waratahs in Dalby earlier in the year before being welcomed back into the squad for the Reds’ second pre-season training block following the cancellation of Super Rugby due to COVID-19.
The 24-year-old was named in Queensland’s 23 on two occasions against the Force and Brumbies in Rounds 3 and 5 respectively of Super Rugby AU but didn’t get on the field and was a member of the Reds’ extended 26-man matchday squad in four matches including September’s Grand Final in Canberra.
There’s set to be further squad announcements ahead of the 2021 season, including more Queensland Pathway products and Reds Academy signings.
Queensland Reds memberships are on sale today. Head to www.reds.rugby/membership to secure your seat for the 2021 Super Rugby season.
