Massimo De Lutiis: The remarkable rise of QLD’s strongest footy star

The strongest footballer in Queensland sporting history rose from his school’s Year 7 ‘D’ team to make his Super Rugby debut. Read his emotional journey to the sport’s peak.

Reds prop Massimo De Lutiis in the Reds gym after bench pressing 202.5kg. Picture taken: Stefan Ahfuni

Massimo De Lutiis is the strongest footballer in Queensland sporting history but those muscles couldn’t hold back his tears when sharing news of his Super Rugby debut with the mother who never stopped believing in him.

The 21-year-old held it together when Reds coach Les Kiss announced to his teammates that the tighthead prop would make his first Super Rugby appearance, as a starter, against Moana Pasifika last Friday.

It wasn’t until De Lutiis returned to his car after training that he made his first call, to his mum and biggest support Rylee to share the biggest news of his sporting career.

“Mum was cheering on the phone, as per usual,” De Lutiis said.

“She had a little bit of a cry. We had a cry in the car together, at how far I’ve come.

Queensland Reds prop Massimo de Lutiis on his Super Rugby Pacific debut against Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on February 21, 2025. Picture: QRU Media

“I did shed some tears. It’s been a long time coming, pretty much what I’d been working towards.”

It was at Rylee and dad Antonio’s urging that ‘Big Mass’ first signed up to play rugby union at The Southport School in Year 7.

The future Queensland Red had never played the game but joined in to fit in, spending his first season in the under-13 ‘D’ team.

“It’s a bit of a funny story because I didn’t really want to play rugby after that,” De Lutiis said.

“I’ve always been a pretty chubby kid - nothing’s changed, much - but Dad told me just keep going and I made my way up through the ranks.”

By the end of his two seasons in the First XV at GPS rugby heavyweights TSS, the prop was a star on the rise, lured to Canberra for two seasons in the Brumbies Academy.

He believed his eventual Super Rugby debut would arrive at GIO Stadium wearing navy and gold.

“At the time I was thinking maybe I would play for the Brumbies,” he said.

Reds prop Massimo De Lutiis in the Reds gym after bench pressing 202.5kg. Picture: Stefan Ahfuni

“The possibility was there. Brumbies is my second home, I guess, because I was there for two years on my own.

“It taught me so much but when the Reds came to me and offered me a chance to come back and be around my family it was a bit hard to pass up.

“It was a hard decision but I felt like I made the right one.”

On Friday night, seven years after picking up a rugby ball for the first time, De Lutiis’ homecoming paid dividends when he strode onto Suncorp Stadium as the state’s first choice tight-head.

It was a selection lightning bolt De Lutiis never saw coming despite having built a dazzling junior resume and debut for Australia A in November.

“I didn’t expect it,” he said.

“You’re always hoping to be in the team but it was a bit of a surprise.

“Leading up to the game I was quite nervous but as soon as I ran out the tunnel that all went away. The crowd took over and I got a bit of confidence from that.”

Massimo De Lutiis playing for TSS in 2022. Picture:: Jason O'Brien

Never was that support clearer than when De Lutiis put on the tackle of the match, smashing the ball loose from flyhalf Jackson Garden-Bachop to drive Moana Pasifika back 30m.

De Lutiis has insisted ever since his 202.5kg bench press record went public last April that he isn’t just a weightlifter.

That lift eclipsed the club records at Queensland’s four NRL teams, two AFL teams, the Brisbane Roar and Taniela Tupou’s old Reds record.

“I still struggle to wrap my head around it a little bit,” De Lutiis said.

“It’s pretty crazy to think I am that person ... (but) I’ve said it a million times over: You’ve got to be able to transfer it to the field. You can’t just be the strongest man and do nothing.

“I’m not here to lift weights, I’m here to play rugby.”

In that thumping tackle, 48 minutes into the fixture, De Lutiis demonstrated why his freak-of-nature strength has made Australian rugby sit up and take notice.

“It was a pretty good tackle,” he reflected.

“I thought he was a bit late to pass so I thought I’ve got to go get him. I hit him and heard the crowd roar up a bit. That was a bit of confirmation it was a good hit.”

It is fortunate De Lutiis has been ‘captured’ for the Wallabies because he is also eligible for Italy on his father’s side and Ireland through his maternal grandfather.

If all goes to plan De Lutiis will prove a thorn in the side of his parent’s homeland rugby teams for years to come.

“I’ve got my heart set on the Wallabies for sure,” De Lutiis said.

“That’s the end goal for me so far. Make Super Rugby and then try throw my hat into the ring for the Wallabies.

“Playing in a home World Cup would be amazing.”