The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) is excited to announce the signing of former Australian Schoolboy and New Zealand U20s backrower Joe Brial.
The son of Wallabies hardman Michael, Joe will return home after three-years with the renowned Crusaders Academy in Christchurch.
The 21-year-old represented the Australian Schools and U18s side in 2019 alongside current Reds pairing Josh Flook and Zane Nonggorr.
Brial said: “I’m looking forward to returning home to Australia and beginning the next chapter of my rugby career in Queensland.
“The Reds have a great squad. There’s plenty of talent and experience – especially in the backrow, which will be great to learn from.
“I know a couple of the guys from our 2019 Aussie Schoolboys tour, so it’ll be good to catch-up with them again.
“I’m also excited to work with Les Kiss and the new coaching staff at the Reds, as well as train at the new facility at Ballymore. There’s plenty of good things happening in Queensland and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss said: “We’re pleased to welcome another promising player in Joe to the Reds.
“He’s a strong ball-running number eight who will add great depth to our experienced backrow.
“Joe has been a part of a world-class system at the Crusaders Academy and already knows some of the players here during his time with the Australian Schoolboys. He also comes from a great rugby pedigree with his father Michael having played for the Wallabies, so there’s plenty to like about Joe.
“We’re looking forward to seeing his development in our program at Ballymore.”
Brial was educated at Sydney’s Scots College, where he earned selection in the Australian Schoolboys side who defeated their New Zealand counterparts for the first time in seven years back in 2019.
The backrower moved across the ditch the following season, linking with the Crusaders Academy.
He would go on to be selected in the Canterbury U19s squad, before making the New Zealand U20s side in 2022, coming up against his now Reds teammates Kalani Thomas and Taj Annan in the Oceania U20s Championships on the Sunshine Coast.
Brial is currently contesting the New Zealand National Provincial Championship with Canterbury, coming off their bench in their Round 1 opener against Northland.
Australian qualified through his father, Brial joins fellow U20s stars Massimo de Lutiis and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in recently committing to the Reds and follows former All Blacks duo Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen and Alex Hodgman signing with Queensland.
