Wallabies bolter Joe Brial emerges in Reds’ four-point failing against ‘Canes

The son of a hard-nosed former Wallaby has rocketed into the frame for Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad to take on the physicality of the British and Irish Lions pack.

Joe Brial of the Reds celebrates after scoring a try during the round 15 Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium, on May 23, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

The son of a hard-nosed former Wallaby has rocketed into the frame for Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad to take on the physicality of the British and Irish Lions pack.

Backrower Joe Brial, 23, has strung together his finest three performances as a Queensland Red against quality opposition over the past seven weeks to embed himself in such conversations.

The son of 1990s Wallabies hardman Michael has been a powerhouse against the table-topping Chiefs, ACT Brumbies and now the Hurricanes, last Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Brial, whose deeds were rewarded this week with a contract extension through 2026, scored an outstanding try in the 31-27 loss against the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific. His athleticism and strength were on full display in a turf-shredding run to smash through three Hurricanes defenders as he motored 20m to score midway through the second-half.

It is just the sort of go-forward the Wallabies squad needs in a 114kg package.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Joe Brial of the Reds takes on the defence during the round 15 Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium, on May 23, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

With both Queensland (July 2) and an Australia-NZ Invitational team (July 12) to face off against the Lions, the Reds revelation has juicy auditions that could change the whole trajectory of his career.

The combined AU-NZ team is to be coached by Les Kiss, who has been hugely impressed by Brial’s emergence as a dominant forward.

“Joe is growing all the time,” Kiss said.

“His work at training has been exceptional. He’s picked up consistency in his play, his robustness, and the physical nature of his game.”

Brial has featured in 12 of the Reds’ 13 matches this season as a versatile figure because of injuries to Harry Wilson, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight and Liam Wright.

Joe Brial of the Reds celebrates after scoring a try during the round 15 Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium, on May 23, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“He didn’t feature much last year and he had to work really hard on areas of his game and he did that,” praised Reds captain Tate McDermott.

“He got challenged by players and staff, because we could see the potential that was in him.”

With Wallaby Wilson, Wright, McReight and flair-filled Fijian Uru at times unavailable, Brial has been full of beans, capable of covering all three backrow positions.

“All he needed was an opportunity this year,” Mcdermott said.

Joe Brial and Filipo Daugunu of the Reds celebrate after winning the round six Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Queensland Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on March 22, 2025, in Dunedin, New Zealand. Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images

“He has absolutely shot out of the gates and been really impressive.

“He’s worked hard and now he’s reaping the rewards.”

“It’s a really simple plan... we’re starting to create a place where guys come in and can’t rely on talent. They have to work hard because everyone has talent that is coming into our group and that’s great to see but we have to be working hard first and Brialy is a great example of that.”

Wilson’s 80-minute return at No.8 after five weeks out with a fracture in his forearm was another huge positive against the Hurricanes from Australia’s Wallabies captain.