The Queensland Reds have announced former captain Liam Wright will leave the club ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Wright has been a stalwart of Queensland Rugby for the best part of a decade and played 86 times for the Reds since his debut in 2018.
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The 27-year-old has battled injuries throughout his career and worked his way into the Test side on six occasions, including leading the Wallabies in 2024 against Wales.
The flanker ends his tenure at the Reds as their third-most capped skipper (55), with only James Horwill and Mark Loane leading Queensland on more occasions.
"It will be hard not coming into Ballymore nearly every day. Beyond the moments on the field, my fondest memories are around the people, the mates I got to do it with," Wright said.
"After you walk into the banter at Ballymore to start a training day, you sweat and bleed together towards a common goal. That's really the joy I have loved.
"I was inspired by what it meant to be a Queenslander. I wore that very proudly and never let the privilege of that honour fade," Wright said.
"Thorny gave me the best advice on it - 'Make sure your own backyard is in order before asking anyone to follow'.
“Captaining the side was a real honour but what I’m most proud of are the moments when I wasn’t on the field. Those times taught me how to contribute in other ways, deepened my understanding of leadership and helped shape me into the person I am today.”
Reds coach Les Kiss paid tribute to Wright and the quality of the person he is, calling him 'one of the best' people he has come across in the sport.
"Liam is a true rugby man who lives the values of what rugby is," Kiss said.
"He's been an exceptional rugby player for the Reds. He's a brilliant person and you understand why the locker room looks up to him.
"He's a leader of men. His persistence and resilience are evident on a daily basis.
"Liam is one of the best I've met in the game. On behalf of the coaching staff, the Professional Rugby Department and the QRU, I wish him the best for the future."
