Powerful backrower Joe Brial has been re-signed by the Queensland Rugby Union to continue his rise in Australian rugby.
The QRU is today delighted to announce that Brial, 24, has inked a two-year deal through 2028 to build on his 27-game career as a Queensland Red.
His influential ball-running and versatile skills have already generated match-turning moments for the Reds since his debut in 2024. The national selectors have seen the same strengths to reward him with Australia A selection in 2024 and 2025.
Brial dabbed the kick ahead for the Reds’ first try against the NSW Waratahs in the opening round of Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific in Sydney when he also received the last pass for a try of his own.
The Reds are back at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night for a big first home game of 2026 against the Highlanders.
Brial said his re-signing reflected the positives at the Reds and in Queensland rugby.
“It’s an exciting time for rugby in Queensland. We have a good group at the Reds with more strength coming through,” Brial said.
“We have really good leadership with guys like Fraser (McReight), Tate (McDermott) and Harry (Wilson). The mix of senior players with younger guys coming through like ‘Vice’ Latu, Kingsley (Uys) and Xavier Rubens means I’m looking forward to what the group can produce this year and into the future.
“This has definitely been part of my decision as well as the growth I can see in myself in this program. The sky is the limit for the Reds.”
Brial appeared 14 times for the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific last year when his 80-minute display against the Chiefs in Hamilton was a standout performance.
Consistent minutes have helped develop his game and confidence which extended to the Reds’ international games against English club Bristol, Tonga and the British & Irish Lions in 2025.
“It’s been awesome to be involved in these international games. You are experiencing different cultures and conditions but the main thing is it keeps you playing in a Reds jersey,” Brial said.
“I don’t know of any other Super Rugby club that does this as well.
“For me, this is my third season around international backrowers like Harry and Fraser and Liam Wright, before that, plus the world-class coaching here. Development has come through in my defence, attack, everything.
“Any goals I have around a home World Cup next year come from what I do at the Reds so I’m not too caught up in anything but performing for Queensland.”
Brial has built on his strong upbringing in rugby which saw him represent the 2019 Australian Schools & Under-18s team and the New Zealand Under-20s in 2022.
The son of former Wallabies forward Michael Brial also developed his game through the Crusaders Academy and Canterbury in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship before his first season as a Red in 2024.
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss is upbeat about Brial committing to the Reds through 2028.
“Joe is a big lad. It’s not just strength and power but a smart game that he brings,” Kiss said.
“He’s being used more in lineouts, for example. He’s made massive improvements over the past two years and he understands he has to continue to work on his game to get better still.”
Position: Backrow
Height: 195cm
Weight: 115kg
Birth date: 07/01/2002
Place of Birth: Sydney
Club: University of Queensland
Junior Club: Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club (Sydney)
School: Scots College, Sydney
Queensland debut: 2024 v Highlanders, Brisbane
Queensland caps: 27 (5 tries)
