The Queensland Rugby Union is pleased to announce that young backrow powerhouse Vaiuta Latu has been signed through 2027.
Latu, 20, made a significant impression late last year in Super Rugby AUS and in his Queensland Reds debut against Japan’s Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
His powerful ball-carries and physical influence earned him a spot in the 2026 Reds squad. His contract has now been extended to the end of 2027.
While the deal was in motion last month, it highlights the value of Latu’s 116kg frame as an No.8 option with Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson sidelined for approximately six weeks after his knee clean-up surgery last Friday.
Latu, nicknamed “Vice” by family and teammates, said he was delighted to have his future sorted for the next two seasons.
“It’s exciting to know I’ll be at the Reds for the next two years,” Latu said.
“Coming into the Reds for Super Rugby AUS last September was a great experience to connect with the older boys in the squad.
“You can’t help but be a sponge for what they are teaching.
“Being involved in the Reds Academy meant I’d played a lot of defence against the main Reds boys at training but it was good to switch that to carrying the ball and being in the team.”
Latu was a late inclusion as starting No.8 in the Reds’ opening Super Rugby AUS game at Ballymore last September. He had an eye-catching outing with 13 ball-carries for 74m, a bullocking try and throwing the last pass for another.
The block of games and training to end 2025 had sharpened his ambitions for 2026, said Latu, a product of St Peters Lutheran College.
“I played in a winning second grade grand final with Brothers and a few weeks later I was in the deep end playing Super Rugby AUS and against the Wild Knights,” Latu said.
“Obviously, the speed to the game is a lot quicker.
“All the work I’ve done in off-season training with the squad makes the next step not look as big.
“I’m nervous but it’s good nervous about striving to play as many Super Rugby Pacific games as I can this season and against some big names.”
Latu said his motivation had been spiked last year when he missed out on Australia Under-20s selection.
“I was a bit down but I used it as good motivation. I had some things to work on and I dedicated sessions to those core skills like cleanouts,” Latu said.
“Rubbing shoulders with the top forwards in the Reds squad every day and a breakdown coach like ‘Fish’ (assistant coach Jonathan Fisher) has rubbed off in terms of improvements too.”
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said Latu had taken all his chances since getting his break last September.
“Vaiuta stepped up in the first game he played for us as a late replacement. He’s been impressive in his games and at training since and this is a worthy reward,” Kiss said.
The Reds will on Wednesday name their first team of 2026 for the Super Rugby Pacific trial on Friday against the Western Force in Perth.
