‘I was devastated’: Wallabies star reveals turmoil upon announcing his future

Injury-plagued Wallabies centre Josh Flook has cast aside a tumultuous year on the field to ink a contract extension with the Queensland Reds.

Flook hoped for a career-defining campaign in 2025.

But after the 23-year-old scored twice while making two linebreaks in the Reds’ round-three triumph of the Western Force, he was taken from the field, initially believing the injury was not a major concern.

Josh Flook is tackled during a Bledisloe Cup match against the New Zealand All Blacks.Credit: Getty Images

Scans revealed a ruptured tendon, which has kept him out of the game ever since.

But as he announced his one-year contract extension, which will keep him at Ballymore until the end of 2026, Flook declared he was in line to take on the Fijian Drua on Saturday.

“It’s been a struggle of a year – having to sit back and watch the boys play has been pretty tough – but I’m stoked to be staying around,” Flook said.

“I had to get really close to my family and friends because this was a huge year. I was devastated.”

Flook has ticked all the fitness boxes required to be in contention for Queensland coach Les Kiss’ team sheet, having completed the “dreaded 1.2-kilometre Bronco test on Saturday morning”, while completing some speed testing.

“I did a good job of it – unfortunately, I don’t really do things in small values, but I’ve rehabed it really well … and I’ll potentially be back three or four weeks earlier than what we were first thinking.”

The Nudgee College product used his time off the field diligently, nearing completion of a business degree at QUT, while taking a more active role in reviewing and analysing games and teams.

But the four-Test centre is not allowing himself to dream of a shock Wallabies call-up for the Lions series.

“Honestly, it’s just getting footy under my belt.

“I’m just very excited to be able to play some footy over the next couple of weeks.

“It’s why we play. We don’t play to train and be in a gym and do all the rehab; we play to be out there with our mates.”

Instead, Flook is focused on inspiring a Reds finals surge, while staving off competition from rookie teammate Dre Pakeho.

The 20-year-old made his Super Rugby debut in 2025, and impressed with each chance – including a barnstorming display against All Blacks champion Rieko Ioane in the Reds’ win against the Blues.

“[Pakeho] has been exceptional … he doesn’t look out of place. He’s willing to learn and compete, which is a really huge thing,” Flook said.

“I don’t think the jersey was ever mine. We have such a talented group here at the Reds, so I would never say the jersey was mine.

“If I have an off game or two, I would expect someone to push me for my jersey and take over.

“You’re just holding the jersey for that period of time, and you treasure every opportunity you get to wear it – and you definitely don’t let it go astray.”

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