Queensland Reds centre Josh Flook has become the first player in Australia announced to have signed through 2024 after inking a contract extension with Queensland.
Already locked-in for next year, the centre has re-signed with the Reds for a further two seasons in a historic deal that will see him remain in Australian Rugby post the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
A proud Queensland pathway product,Flookwill enter his third season with the Reds next year and will be looking to add to his total of 11 Queensland caps after making his Super Rugby debut in 2020.
"I cannot imagine playing anywhere else and I cannot wait for what is to come,"Flooksaid.
"Growing up watching the Reds play at Suncorp Stadium and one day being able to pull on the maroon jersey and play for them has always been a dream of mine. So, for me to have made my Super Rugby debut for Queensland and now to be here for the next three years is incredibly exciting."
Reds General Manager of Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said: “Josh has always been open in that he only wants to represent Queensland and the Wallabies.
“He is still a young man, but he produced a number of big moments during his performances this season – often outplaying his opposition who have represented internationally.
"It’s fitting we can reward Josh as he becomes the first player in Australia announced through 2024."
A part of Nudgee College’s premiership winning 1stXV side in 2018, Flookwent on to represent Queensland Schoolboys in the same year before captaining the Australian Schoolboys and U18s team in 2019 where he guided the side to victory in New Zealand.
The following year, Flook represented the Junior Wallabies before being called-in to the Reds squad as an injury cover replacement.
At just 18-years-old, Flook made his Queensland debut against the Rebels in Round 2 of the 2020 Super Rugby AU tournament and went on to play three more games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
This year he represented Queensland in a further seven matches – four of those he started – including at outside centre in the Reds’ Grand Final victory over the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.
Joining Flook at Ballymore for the 2022 season will be fellow former Queensland and Australian schoolboy representative Spencer Jeans.
Born and bred on the Gold Coast, Jeans was educated at The Southport School where he earnt representative honours for both his state and country.
Jeans joined the Reds Academy upon finishing school and linked with Bond University at club Rugby level, receiving the prestigious John Eales scholarship in 2019.
The 20-year-old scrumhalf made his Premier Grade debut the same season and enjoyed his most successful season to date this year.
“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family,” Jeans said.
“It has been a huge goal of mine for some time now. I’m a born and bred Gold Coast kid, so I’m really looking forward to hopefully be able to represent the Gold Coast and Queensland at that next level.
“I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in with the boys over this next year. They are a tight group and they have been super welcoming to me coming into the squad.
“Between the coaching staff and the players, they set a high standard on what it takes to be a Queensland Red at a championship level, and I’m really looking forward to pushing myself over these next couple months to reach that standard and to hopefully keep raising it from there.”
Josh Flook
Position: Centre
Height: 186cm
Weight: 89kg
Born: 22/09/2001
Place of birth: Randwick, NSW
Senior Club: Brothers
School: St. Joseph’s Nudgee College
Representative Honours: Queensland U16s (2017), Queensland Schoolboys (2018), Australia Schoolboys & U18s (2019), Australia U20s (2020), Queensland Reds (2020-)
Super Rugby Debut: 2020 v Rebels, Sydney (Queensland)
Super Rugby Caps: 11* (Queensland)
Spencer Jeans
Position: Scrumhalf
Height: 175cm
Weight: 80kg
Born: 19/10/2000
Place of birth: Gold Coast
Junior Club: Gold Coast Eagles
Senior Club: Bond University
School: The Southport School Representative Honours: Australian Schoolboys & U18s (2018), Queensland Country U19s (2019), Australia U20s (2020), Reds Academy (2019-2021)
