The Queensland Reds wish to farewell and thank locks Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth for their stalwart service, with the duo departing Ballymore following the conclusion of their contracts.
The towering duo poured a combined 13 seasons of effort into the Reds jersey they wore proudly.
Having now landed in Wales to continue his career with the Ospreys club, Smith reflected on his 76 games at the Reds.
“As a kid, I’d catch the train to Ballymore with my dad to watch from the hill when the Reds played. They were always the team I barracked for and that won’t change,” Smith reflected.
“I never thought I’d pull on the Queensland jersey or even go to one training session for the Reds.
“To get to play more than 50 games and captain my state is something I’m very proud of.
“I’m lucky my career has panned out the way it has. All the hard yards have been worth it to run out at Suncorp Stadium.
“All the rugby stuff has been awesome, a genuine dream come true.
“The part I probably didn’t expect to be the best part is just the people you meet along the way. It’s a special thing that bond between the guys beside you, who you play for and with.”
Smith, 28, said his farewell appearance against the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium was a “super privilege.”
“Suncorp Stadium has kinda been a special place for me so to have my final Queensland game be against the Lions was massive,” Smith said.
“My whole career I’ve tried to look ahead at the next step and tried to reach that next level.
“Ospreys is another challenge, another rung in the ladder of my career, a chance to learn a lot in the European competitions and a cool experience for my family.”
Blyth, 27, played 14 times for the Reds in 2025 to build his strong career to 75 games for Queensland.
His progress through the Queensland rugby pathways marked Blyth’s well-plotted rise. After his school days at The Southport School, he played Queensland Under-20s, won a grand final with Queensland Country at 19 in the 2017 National Rugby Championship and made his Reds debut a year later.
His breakthrough to play four Tests for the Wallabies last year was a career high.
"I literally went from school into the Reds. I'm super grateful for the opportunities I had in Queensland for a Super Rugby debut at 20, the help at every level and the coaching,” Blyth said.
“Everyone cares. The connectiveness of the team, the squad and the staff with everyone putting in effort together is something I’ve always enjoyed.
"It's also all I've known over the past eight seasons so getting into something different will be exciting as a fresh challenge.
“I still want to keep improving and represent my country more.”
The Reds also wish to farewell flyhalf Jude Gibbs, whose single season produced a Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench against the ACT Brumbies, as he pursues an opportunity in Japan.
Gibbs’ playmaking and kicking were also an asset to Brothers during his time with the club in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup.
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss thanked Smith, Blyth and Gibbs for all they had put into the Queensland program.
“'Ryano' and 'Blythy' have put in big shifts over a number of years to help the improvement at the Reds. They have both been important characters in the dressing room and what they leave behind is now a strong example for others to carry on," Kiss said.
"We wish them well for the future as we do Jude. While he was only with us for one season, Jude showed qualities to continue his rugby in the professional ranks."
