The Queensland Rugby Union is delighted to announce centre Dre Pakeho will continue his promising development under a two-year deal with the Queensland Reds.
Pakeho, 19, was named the 2024 Under-20s Player of the Year in Queensland rugby as a pointer to his huge potential.
The roll call of players of the future to claim this award (formerly Colt of the Year) is well established with World Cup-winners Ben Tune, David Wilson, Toutai Kefu and Tim Horan among the previous winners.
The gong recognised his progress with the Buildcorp Reds Academy, the Brothers club and when stepping up with aplomb for his Reds debut against Wales at Suncorp Stadium in July.
“My debut for the Reds happened out of nowhere. It was a crazy feeling,” Pakeho said.
“I didn’t think the opportunity would come so soon.
“To now have my first full-time professional contract at the Reds is really special and in a squad which has big growth in it for 2025.
“To have the chance to train with the Reds when part of the Academy was massive.
“I’ve had guys like Hunter Paisami and James O'Connor mentor me in my position. Just being able to ask them questions and hear their advice has been so helpful.
“Passing, kicking, alignment, tracking in defence…Hunter has been great to learn off.
“Our backs coach Brad (Davis) has had a big impact on me too. He communicates really well around attack and especially defence.”
Pakeho’s crisp distribution and composed ball play were obvious against the Welsh. His second game against Tonga in Nuku’alofa showed how much he is up for the physical contest.
Pakeho’s breakout season still had another high to come. He savoured a StoreLocal Hospital Cup grand final triumph with Brothers in August.
“It was a sign of how far I’ve come. I was on the hill watching the Brothers boys win the premiership last year and I was on the field for the two-peat this season,” Pakeho said.
“I can’t wait to get into pre-season next week."
Pakeho was eight-years-old when his family moved from New Zealand to Brisbane where shrewd rugby judges have noted his progress. He attended Wavell State High and Bray Park State High before rugby polish was added at Churchie, Brothers Colts and the Academy.
His pride in wearing the Reds jersey is obvious.
“Wearing the Reds jersey means making my family proud, especially my mum and dad who have done so much for me. It’s also representing with my team-mates and playing for the fans,” Pakeho said.
“I’d never played in front of 23,000 fans like we had at the Reds-Wales game. I know about 100 of them were my own family, my parents, two brothers, two sisters and heaps of close family and friends from all over the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane.
“That was an unreal feeling.”
Reds head coach Les Kiss welcomed Pakeho on board for 2025-26 with the squad due to return to training on Monday.
“What I saw with Dre’s growth and commitment to development in the Academy program, with coach Dale Roberson, made it no surprise to me that he was able to step up for Brothers and in the Reds games against Wales and Tonga,” Kiss said.
“He’s a genuine inside centre and a really level-headed player who does his primary roles very well.”
The Reds are also wishing farewell to centre Taj Annan, 21, who has found a professional opportunity in his home town of Newcastle.
Annan graduated from the Academy to play 12 times for the Reds in 2023-24.
“It was an unreal time for me to get my first opportunity in a professional program out of school,” Annan said.
“I’m grateful to the Reds. My growth as a person and a player was massive.
“I learnt a lot from all my coaches, Brad Thorn and Jim McKay last year, and the new coaches this year with Les, Brad (Davis) and others.”
