6 Of the Reds most promising young players have committed themselves to the franchise for the 2016 season beyond after signing new contact extensions.
Prop Sef Fa’agase, hooker Andrew Ready and loose forwards Michael Gunn and Adam Korczyk have committed to the club for 3 years, while prop Sam Talakai and outside back Jamie-Jerry Taulagi have signed for 2 years.
All 6 have made their Super Rugby debut for Queensland over the last 2 seasons and have been identified as future stars of the club.
Korczyk and Ready are the most recent debutants of the group, with the latter coming on as replacement hooker against the Hurricanes last weekend. Korczyk made his debut during the Reds’ 2-week tour of South Africa and scored a try in just his 2nd game of Super Rugby against the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Queensland Rugby CEO Jim Carmichael said: “Over the past 18 months we have recognised the need to further strengthen our Queensland Rugby pathways. Of the 6 signings, 4 players are direct products of our development pathways.
“Having already announced that James Slipper and Rob Simmons will lead the Reds over the coming years, today’s announcement is a further demonstration of Queensland’s long-term planning for future success.”
Fa’agase, Gunn, Korczyk and Ready all progressed through Queensland Rugby programs before excelling for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship in their 2014 title run.
And while Talakai and Taulagi aren’t originally from Queensland, they too came to the Reds through Queensland Rugby’s pathways. New Zealander Taulagi signed as a developing foreign player with the Reds off the back of his performances in Queensland Premier Rugby in 2013 and Talakai was brought up to Brisbane from Sydney to play for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship.
Reds head coach Richard Graham said it was important for Queensland Rugby to continue to build its pathways and recognise those up-and-coming players that had contributed strongly to Queensland.
“The signing of Sef, Michael, Adam and Andrew demonstrates how strongly we value the development of Queensland youngsters through our pathway programs,” he said.
“This season alone all 4 have made their debuts, along with 11 other players, and their signings will see them continue to develop here at Ballymore. It is a huge show of faith to our Rugby program and their desire to see Queensland Rugby continue to be strong.
“While Sam and JJ (Taulagi) aren’t originally from our development pathways, they came to Ballymore with a strong desire to further develop their talent and we have made clear over the past 18 months we are willing to look outside Queensland where we need to.
“Sam’s introduction through the successful NRC Brisbane City team led to his Elite Development contract. Of his 8 Super Rugby caps, he has been our starting tighthead in 5 of them and through his improving performances in Super Rugby this year he has earned the further upgrade to be a member of the main Reds squad.
“This is the 2nd year of JJ’s original deal. He was outstanding in the NRC for Queensland Country and carried that form into the pre-season trials. Unfortunately a knee injury has ruled him out of most of the 2015 Super season but I feel he has demonstrated some growth and we believe he will contribute strongly over the next 2 seasons,” Graham added.
The announcement of the 6 follows on from recent news that the Reds have re-signed captain James Slipper, vice-captain Rob Simmons and scrumhalf Nick Frisby, along with securing the signature of Melbourne Rebels lock Cadeyrn Neville.
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