The Queensland Rugby Union is delighted to announce the re-signing of classy fullback Jock Campbell to open the week ahead of the Queensland Reds' historic clash against Wales.
Campbell, 29, has inked a one-year contract extension to continue his productive Reds career which sits at 79 games over six seasons.
Campbell’s silky running and timing from the backfield are highly valued as is his experience in a youthful back division.
He will step up in that senior role on Friday night when the Reds face Wales at Suncorp Stadium, the first time in 20 years that the Reds have played a national side in Brisbane.
“The Reds are my club and I wasn’t looking to go anywhere else in Super Rugby,” Campbell said.
“What (head coach) Les (Kiss) is building is not only really fun to be involved with, it is an environment where I’m learning a lot of things in a new style of play.
“I see more progress ahead to get past the quarter-final barrier of the past few seasons with the new additions arriving at the club.”
Campbell started the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season on the bench. He finished it as a fixture by playing 15 of the 16 games and finding the form that earned him four Test caps in 2022.
Campbell cited the Reds’ appealing International Program with matches against Wales and Tonga this month, an end-of-year tour to Japan and a 2025 pre-season tour to Europe to play Bristol and Ulster as a factor in his decision.
“These extra matches and tour opportunities with the Reds definitely resonate with me. Not many clubs are doing this type of thing,” Campbell said.
“The opportunity to play against the British and Irish Lions next year is something I want to be around for as well.”
Campbell said the thought of a bumper crowd, a big atmosphere and Welsh fans stirring on the touring team is exciting for Friday night.
“I played my last Test against Wales in Cardiff (in 2022) so I know the noise, the singing and the atmosphere whenever the Welsh play,” Campbell said.
“The Reds are really looking forward to this one.”
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Campbell is a symbol of striving and hard work through the Queensland rugby pathways.
The Southport School product won the first of his three premierships with University of Queensland in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup in 2017. He shared in Queensland Country’s title in the National Rugby Championship the same year.
His form won him a Reds contract and a Super Rugby debut in 2019. He started on the wing in the Reds’ 2021 Super Rugby AU triumph.
“I’m really pleased to see Jock re-commit to the Reds,” said Reds head coach Les Kiss.
“His experience is an invaluable part of the program. When I first arrived at the Reds, Jock and Liam Wright were two senior players who helped me a lot around the coaching.
“Jock is a good mentor for the young guys. He has an astute rugby mind and his flexibility to play fullback, wing and outside centre is the versatility you need in squad.”
Position: Outside back
Height: 186cm
Weight: 91kg
Born: 17/05/1995
Born: Inverell, NSW
Senior Club: University of Queensland
School: The Southport School
Super Rugby Debut: 2019 v Bulls, Pretoria
Reds Caps: 79
Reds Tries: 18
Tests: 4
