Queensland's signing of Australian-eligible All Black Aidan Ross has added another layer of intrigue ahead of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour.
The 88-cap Chiefs loosehead will link up with the Reds after next year's Super Rugby Pacific campaign and looms a genuine option for Joe Schmidt to call on for Wallabies selection.
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Born in Gosford before returning with his Kiwi parents to New Zealand aged eight, the now 29-year-old Ross is highly touted across the ditch for his powerful scrummaging and earned his All Blacks debut against Ireland back in 2022.
However, the appeal of a move for his young family and Ross' Australian eligibility could see the 118kg prop trade his black jersey for a gold one next year.
"I’ve been at the Chiefs since day dot. I want the team to have a huge season in 2025 and finish in a big way because I owe so much to the franchise, the coaches and my teammates for molding me as a rugby player,” Ross told Reds Media.
“Beyond that it is a good time to do something different off-shore.
“The attraction with Australia is that I can go there and not be a foreign player. It’s appealing to also be close to family because my partner and I now have our own family with young (17-month-old) Albie.”
Ross was quick to highlight his commitment to the Chiefs for next season but shared his excitement at joining Les Kiss' unit in Brisbane.
“The Reds have excellent facilities at Ballymore and I have respected the club’s DNA for a long time from some great wins and big losses when we have met on the field,” Ross said.
“After talking to their coaches (head coach Les Kiss and assistant Zane Hilton) I saw how appealing it would be to work under them.
“Like I said, that’s for the future. I’m all in with the Chiefs for next season.
Should Ross earn a future Wallabies jersey, he'd be following of the footsteps of soon-to-be Reds teammate Alex Hodgman, who this year became just the fourth ever dual-international to represent Australia and New Zealand in men's rugby union when he ran out against Georgia in Sydney.
