The Queensland Rugby Union is pleased to announce the signing of experienced lock Cadeyrn Neville for the 2027 season.
Neville, 37, will bring his size, workrate and professionalism to the Queensland Reds pack after seven seasons with the ACT Brumbies.
This will be the eight-Test Wallaby's second stint at Ballymore having played 16 times for the Reds in 2016-17 after kicking off his Super Rugby career as a Melbourne Rebel in 2012-15.
The vastly-experienced Neville is looking forward to the scenery at Ballymore under new Head Coach Vern Cotter.
“It’s pretty exciting to have another season coming up with a club which has had some great results and has a good group together,” Neville said.
“I’ve had a fair bit of experience playing against Vern’s Blues sides. I still enjoy being coached and improving so I’m looking forward to that experience.
“I’m motivated to play and I always enjoy competing. I get a lot of satisfaction out of preparing and that great contest on each weekend of the season when you want to win.”
The towering 2.02m Neville started in nine of his 11 games for the Brumbies this season. When asked what such a sustained career had established in his game, Neville was clear.
“If anything, it’s knowing how to go about this job as a professional. It’s the preparation, the reviews, the recovery, the training and just knowing how to get the most out of myself so I maximise my offering to the team on weekends,” Neville said.
Neville said his existing relationships with figures in the Reds camp made a new campaign appealing.
“One of the positives is I do already have relationships with a good number at the Reds. I roomed with Harry Wilson on a Barbarians tour in 2023, I’ve been in Wallabies camp with Fraser McReight and Lukhan (Salakaia-Loto) was a young fella starting out in 2016 when I first came to the Reds,” Neville said.
“I had (Reds assistant coach) Zane Hilton as a forwards coach back in my early days at the Rebels.”
Neville is a father of two these days but one with plenty of foresight.
“I still own a house at Morningside from my first stint with the Reds so I’ve got somewhere for the family to move in,” Neville said.
Sam Cordingley, Reds General Manager, High Performance, said Neville’s professionalism and consistent form would be an asset for the Reds.
“It’s great to welcome Cadeyrn back to Queensland,” Cordingley said.
“He’s a real professional evidenced by his physical capacity and athleticism. Caderyn has had an outstanding season having started a majority of Super Rugby games. Having another Wallaby lock within our 2027 squad is an obvious advantage.”
Position: Lock
Height: 202cm
Weight: 123kg
Born: 9/11/1988
Place of birth: Manly, NSW
Senior Club: Manly Marlins, Sydney
School: Northern Beaches Secondary College, Sydney
Super Rugby Caps: 136 (Melbourne Rebels 47, ACT Brumbies 73, Reds 16)
Super Rugby Debut 2012 (Rebels) v Bulls, Melbourne
Queensland caps: 16
Tests: 8
Test debut: 2022 v England in Perth
