Queensland’s strongest ever footballer is about to endure a trial by fire

On the eve of his first starting appearance for the Queensland Reds, Massimo De Lutiis has already broken records: standing as the strongest man in the state across all football codes.

Leaving his teammates in awe as he broke Wallabies’ prop Taniela Tupou’s 200-kilogram bench-press record this year, De Luttis’ lift of 202.5 kilograms has transcended sports.

The 20-year-old prop left the likes of former Brisbane Lion Marcus Adams (170 kilograms), State of Origin enforcer Carl Webb (185 kilograms), and Newcastle Knights winger Greg Marzhew (190 kilograms during his Gold Coast Titans’ days) in his wake.

Massimo De Luttis will make his starting debut for the Queensland Reds as the state’s strongest ever footballer.

Ominously, De Lutiis admits he could push further, if not for fear of repeating the injury woes that marred his 2024 campaign.

Now, he will be thrown into a trial by fire when he squares off against Tonga on Friday afternoon.

“I was [always] pretty big, it was probably more fat than it was muscle at the time, but during high school around Grade 10 I really wanted to make the first 15,” De Lutiis said.

“I remember the eight-week holiday, I locked myself in the basement, bought this gym set with all my money, and then started pumping weights for eight weeks straight. I didn’t see any friends, I didn’t go outside, I just did beach sprints and weights.

“As soon as I came to the Reds I really wanted to get that bench press record. I tore my quad the first day of preseason during the sprint test, I was pretty upset, but talking to [Reds player development manager] Hayley [Cronin] she calmed me down and told me to look on to the next thing.

“It got my mind busy again, so making that goal of the 200 kilograms was next.”

De Lutiis will face a fight for minutes in 2025, as Reds stars Zane Nongorr and Alex Hodgman return from Wallabies duties.

But after being lauded by teammate Jeffery Toomaga-Allen as “one of the strongest young human beings I have ever met”, this chance could launch him into Queensland’s main side for the long haul.

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has predicted big things for Massimo De Luttis, and revealed where the young prop needs to improve to become a Super Rugby force.Credit: Getty

The one-time All Black said while De Lutiis had some “mental fortitude” to develop, a star showing against international-calibre rivals could propel him into the fold.

“I wasn’t the strongest coming up, so the experiences and knowledge I can give is let your code do the talking. You don’t squat on the field, you don’t bench press on the field – if you can play footy that’s what shows,” Toomaga-Allen said.

“In terms of skill execution, seeing plays before it happens and the anticipation for rugby … you have to run the line for our drivers and playmakers, so I think that’s the area of growth he needs.

“But this game will be a great chance for him to show that growth ... Playing outside James O’Connor and Jock [Campbell], those guys will put you in space but you have to be able to put yourself in the right position to get in that space.”

Queensland Reds team v Tonga

1. Sef Fa’agase; 2. Richie Asiata; 3. Massimo De Lutiis; 4. Connor Vest; 5. Ryan Smith (vc); 6. Seru Uru; 7. John Bryant; 8. Joe Brial; 9. Louis Werchon; 10. James O’Connor; 11. Mac Grealy; 12. Dre Pakeho; 13. Tim Ryan; 14. Lachie Anderson; 15. Jock Campbell (c)

Reserves: 16. Feleti Kaitu’u; 17. Matt Gibbon; 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen; 19. Josh Canham; 20. Taine Roiri; 21. Will Cartwright; 22. Mason Gordon; 23. Floyd Aubrey