The Queensland Reds have locked in a full stable of centres with young Josh Flook becoming the first player in Australia to commit to a contract through to 2024.
Flook celebrated his 20th birthday on Wednesday this week by inking a contract extension for 2023-24 to magnify his existing deal for next year.
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It continues the trend of long-term signings at the Reds which have fed into the stability and success under head coach Brad Thorn, who recently signed his own two-year contract extension.
With Flook committed, the Reds now have Wallabies Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia as well as Isaac Henry and Hamish Stewart in their centre stocks.
Outside centre Flook might well be the easiest re-signing the Reds have ever completed.
“I’ve grown up in Queensland and all I’ve ever wanted to do in rugby is play for the Reds,” Flook said.
“It’s not a hard decision to do that for the next three years. It’s a no-brainer because I can’t imagine playing anywhere else.
“I was a young bloke coming into the squad in 2020 and found a really good environment. We work hard but basically you get to hang out with your mates, have fun and play rugby.”
Flook has beefed up 14kg since finishing his Nudgee College days with a premiership in 2018 but will always be on the lean side at 89kg.
“Mum’s spaghetti bol and chicken schitznels have helped me put on some kilos,” Flook said.
He is not cut in the blockbusting frame of outside centres which explains why he admires former World Cup-winning All Blacks outside centre Conrad Smith.
“Over our last training block, I studied Conrad Smith quite a lot on video to try to pick up some tips and tricks,” Flook said.
“His smarts as a player just stand out. He was never, the biggest, strongest or most athletic centre but he was unselfish, read the play really well and he had a huge workrate to appear everywhere around the park.”
It’s a fine blueprint for Flook to keep following because his sure defensive work, ability to set up his wingers, support play and team-orientated effort have all been valuable in his 11 games for Queensland.
“Josh is still a young man but he produced a number of big moments during his performances this season, often outplaying his opposition who have represented internationally,” said Sam Cordingley, Reds General Manager of Professional Rugby.
He was a member of the Reds’ title-winning team against the Brumbies in the Super Rugby AU final and scored a key try when the Brumbies were beaten 24-22 at Suncorp Stadium in the earlier Round Eight clash.
“We got some incredible support in the big matches at Suncorp Stadium this year. That was only my second try for the Reds and I scored it in the corner where my grandparents and four cousins were watching,” Flook said.
Top photographer Karen Cutler, from Sportography, was on the spot so that her frame of the try captures the glee and raised arms of grandparents Judy and Phil Dunsford and cousins Wayne, Zoe, Max and Tracey Balmanno.
With Moses Sorovi heading to the Melbourne Rebels, the Reds have also signed redhead Spencer Jeans, 20, as a new halfback for the squad behind Tate McDermott and Kalani Thomas.
A former Australian Schoolboy, Jeans is a product of The Southport School on the Gold Coast and had a strong Premier Grade season with Bond University.
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