The Queensland Reds have rewarded hooker Richie Asiata for his strong season with a fresh one-year extension for 2026.
Asiata has stepped up in the front-row amid a host of injuries to become a consistent contributor for the Reds.
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In 12 appearances, the hooker has scored seven tries, including a double against the ACT Brumbies in April.
It continues his remarkable 12 months that included a hat-trick against Wales in a one-point defeat last July.
“It’s an awesome feeling to have 2026 locked in. Ballymore is pretty much home for me and I love playing for the Reds,” said Asiata. “After the knee issues that disrupted the start of last year, it’s been great just to play consistent footy and play my game.
“It’s concentrating on improving all the little things that make you a better player not the flashy things.
“For me, that’s been working on breakdown stuff with ‘Fish’ (assistant coach Jonathan Fisher), sharpening my lineout throwing and scrummaging with ‘Choc’ (assistant coach Zane Hilton) and being really onto my defence with (assistant coach) Brad Davis.
“I’m a way better player than I was two years ago so being able to keep developing is an exciting part of being at the Reds.”
Asiata has had a wild journey to becoming a Refs regular, which included stints abroad in Major League Rugby with the Toronto Arrows (2020) and in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship with Northland (2024).
Reds coach Les Kiss was pleased to keep Asiata in Ballymore for another year, praising his credit.
"To have Richie put pen to paper has been fantastic. I'm really happy for him," he said to reporters.
"He's such an unassuming guy, but he's a rock star on the pitch for us this year. Every player loves playing with him and every player loves having him around the place.
"He's a joy to coach and I'm so happy for him. He had an injury-ridden period there and he's come through in the last 12 months and had a massive impact on how we went to play.
"We've had our injuries in that area and he's stood up and he's been solid all year."
