Nudgee College standouts Bennett Armistead and Levi Slater have been signed to continue their development at the Queensland Reds.
Today’s exciting announcement by the Queensland Rugby Union ties two more of the state's top young talents to a proven pathway to polish skills and professional habits.
The elite development deals for the Queensland Under-18s teammates mean they will have opportunities to train with the Reds as part of their growth as players.
A three-year deal will enable Armistead, 17, to hone his craft as a lock who is 2.01m and still growing. Slater, 17, has a powerful prop’s frame at 110kg and has been signed for two years.
“It’s very exciting. It means a lot to get an opportunity to hopefully pursue a professional career at a club I love being at,” Armistead said.
“I’ve seen the difference it makes being in the pathways in Queensland. Being in the Queensland Under-18s for two seasons, rather than just one, has helped in those areas of leadership, team building and being more adaptable.
“Playing in a more high-skilled environment more often means improvements.”
Armistead said former Reds lock Ryan Smith had set a strong example that he likes to follow.
“Smith’s intent in defence and nearly always being one of the best in that area is something I’ve admired over the past few years,” Armistead said.
“Getting all the tough jobs done down low is another thing I picked up on.”
Armistead and Slater are teammates at Nudgee College and both are planning big Year 12 campaigns when the GPS First XV season kicks off on July 19.
Slater’s determination to make his mark in rugby was evident from the age of 15 when he left his Adelaide home to become a boarder at the college.
“It’s been a lot of hard work to get this far and there’s more hard work ahead,” Slater said. “I want to keep building my game as a prop and learn from the top Reds guys.
“I get to train in a world-class facility at Ballymore and that’s definitely a factor in being here at the Reds for the next two years.”
Slater also praised “the feedback and advice” he has already received from Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton, a Nudgee College old boy.
“I’m originally from Adelaide so, of course, I played some Aussie Rules as well as rugby down there as a kid. I can drop punt better than Bennett that’s for sure but I don’t think any of my forwards’ coaches want to see that in a game,” Slater said with a laugh.
“My family sat down with me when I was 15 and we decided if I really wanted to have a crack at rugby I’d have to move to Brisbane or Sydney. I’m glad I ended up in Queensland.”
The signing of Armistead and Slater follows the February announcement that top forward prospects Will Ross and Kingsley Uys had been secured on multi-year deals.
Former Wallaby Paul Carozza, the Queensland Reds Head of Talent Management, said the signing of Slater and Armistead was a real positive.
“Both boys display excellent character and physical points of difference that are signs of their potential in rugby,” Carozza said.
“Bennett has shown the determination to work his way up from the 13Ds to the First XV at Nudgee College and the Queensland U18s. There’s his height but also a growing physicality to his game as well.
“He’s been in our pathways since Queensland U16s.
“Levi is a great story. He took the big step to leave Adelaide to improve his rugby in Brisbane. As a front-rower, his mobility and workrate are elite and he’s been rewarded with his selections.”
BENNETT ARMISTEAD
Lock
Age: 17
Height: 2.01m
Weight: 103kg
School: Nudgee College
LEVI SLATER
Prop
Age: 17
Height: 1.90cm
Weight: 110kg
School: Nudgee College
