Classy teenage backs Taione Taka and Treyvon Pritchard have been signed to advance their development with the Queensland Reds.
The pair have committed to two-year elite development squad deals after being identified and developed as part of Queensland’s exciting crop of pathway talent.
Today’s announcement also emphasises the Queensland Rugby Union’s commitment to developing local players to nourish the Reds into the future.
The Taka and Pritchard signings follow the upbeat multi-year deals for promising young forwards Kingsley Uys, Will Ross, Bennett Armistead and Levi Slater.
Top-level coaching, the world-class BMS National Rugby Training Centre at Ballymore and training with the full Reds squad are among the attractions for development squad players.
“I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity to step up my training to take my skills and game awareness to another level,” Taka said.
“The coaching gives you an edge and training with high-quality players, you are definitely going to be learning off their skills.”
Both Taka, 17, and Pritchard, 18, have been developing their games as part of the Buildcorp Reds Academy.
Taka made his mark at outside centre last year for the Queensland Under-16s with his long-striding running game and offloads that breathe his Fijian heritage.
After his initial schooling at Sunshine Coast Grammar, he has been a standout player at Brisbane Boys’ College. He will wear the No.13 jersey when the GPS First XV season opens on Saturday.
“It was probably in Grade 7 or 8 that I thought I wanted to give rugby a real good go. I came to BBC in Grade 9 and a more developed rugby comp in GPS,” Taka explained.
“It’s very inspiring to know that Tate McDermott did all the hard work to make it from Sunny Coast Grammar.
“At BBC, I’ve seen (2025 Reds) Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Mason Gordon around our teams. When they come back and talk at the school it gives you that feeling you can do it too.”
Pritchard, 18, will be in action for Churchie when the GPS season kicks-off. The versatile back plays in the centres or at fullback. He started his school rugby journey at St Peters Lutheran College.
“I’ve been in the Reds Academy so I know the value of training with players your age and older. It just ups your level on top of the coaching you get,” Pritchard said.
“I’m really pleased with this next step.
“Coming through the Queensland system from U15s to U16s and so on keeps it familiar and you are able to grow with the coaching.
“Being around (Academy Head Coach) Dale Roberson and Paul Carozza for a longer time also means they are able to see where your game is growing and changing.
“Having my brother (Kadin) make it to Super Rugby level opens up your eyes that it can be a reality to go further with lots of hard work.”
Pritchard said the opportunity to train against the Reds was of major benefit.
“I did the whole pre-season for the Academy training against Hunter Paisami which was pretty surreal. He’s someone I really admire for his powerful running and defence but also how he has developed his ball skills and kicking game,” Pritchard said.
Former Wallaby Paul Carozza, the Queensland Reds Head of Talent Management, said Taka and Pritchard had been on the radar for some time.
“Taione excelled for Queensland and Australia in U16s last year and he’s been training in our Buildcorp Reds Academy,” Carozza said.
“He’s originally a Sunshine Coast boy. He’s really good in attack and defence, your classic outside centre in the making.
“Trey has been in our pathway programs for a number of years. He has developed a skillset to play multiple positions which is a great asset.”
Centre
Age: 17
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 93kg
School: Brisbane Boys’ College
Fullback-centre-wing
Age: 18
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 90kg
School: Anglican Church Grammar School
