Queensland Reds confirm new contract for 20-year-old back row protege

His performances earned him a place in the Reds’ 2026 squad, and that deal has now been formally extended for a further season. At 116kg, Latu has quickly emerged as a powerful No.8 option, a role that has taken on added significance with Wallabies captain Harry Wilson sidelined for around six weeks following knee clean-up surgery.

While discussions around the extension were already underway last month, the timing underlines how highly the Reds rate the young backrower’s physical presence and potential. Nicknamed “Vice” by family and teammates, Latu said he was thrilled to have his future settled 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’s impact was immediate when he was a late call-up to start at No.8 in the Reds’ opening Super Rugby AUS match at Ballymore last September. He finished the game with 13 carries for 74 metres, scored a powerful try and provided the final pass for another in an eye-catching display A product of St Peters Lutheran College, Latu said the block of matches and training at the end of 2025 sharpened his focus heading into the new season.

“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,” he 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.”

The young forward also revealed that missing out on selection for Australia Under-20s last year proved a turning point.

“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 believes Latu’s contract extension is a deserved reward for seizing his opportunity. “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 are set to name their first squad of 2026 on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific trial match against the Western Force in Perth, with Latu now firmly in the frame as part of Queensland’s forward plans.