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Junior Wallabies enforcer returns ‘home’ after signing with Reds

Australia line up for the national anthem during the match between New Zealand U20 and the Junior Wallabies at NZCIS on May 29, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Junior Wallabies prop Massimo De Lutiis will return “home” to Queensland next season after signing a deal with the Reds ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

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Having represented Australia at the World Rugby U20 Championships in South Africa, De Lutiis has been lured back to the Sunshine State after two seasons with the Brumbies and Canberra Royals.

While the front-rower was born in Sydney, De Lutiis showcased his potential during a successful high school career in Queensland’s prestigious GPS competition with The Southport School.

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De Lutiis was also part of the Reds Junior Academy and the Queensland U18s side – although, they didn’t take the field due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Standing at 188cm tall and weighing 124kgs, De Lutiis is set to join a promising squad of forwards that includes the likes of Fraser McReight, Liam Wright and Harry Wilson.

“We’re glad Massimo has chosen to join us back in his home state,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.

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“He’s a player with great promise and will bring plenty to our group of props at Ballymore moving forward.”

In another boost for the Reds, Rugby World Cup-bound prop Peni Ravai has also re-signed with the club until the end of next season.

Ravai, who played 14 matches for the Reds in 2023, was named in the Flying Fijians’ World Cup squad earlier this week.

“I’ve loved my time with the Reds so far,” Ravai said in a statement. “It’s a great group of players and staff, and I’m looking forward to working in a new world-class facility at Ballymore next season.

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“I enjoy working with the young front rowers at the club and hope I can help them with my experience.”

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1 Comment
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Stephen 580 days ago

Sorry but De Lutiis played for Western Districts in Canberra the club that produced Steve Larkham.

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RedWarriors 53 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

In both instances, Ireland can cross halfway in comfort and there are 20 or 30 metres of space in which to work, but a clear sense of purpose is conspicuously absent. Whether it stumbled into a handling error or a breakdown pilfer or delivered a negative kick back to their opponents, Ireland’s transition attack was toothless.”


I disagree with this in the first instance there is a three on one if Osborne receives the pass. He will get past Moefana with only Ramos appearing to confront Osborne, Aki and Sheehan with no-one behind. Probable try, not toothless. As Osborne is on the opposite wing to what he has been training for there is a handling error (understandable). You did acknowledge that Lowe was a blow, but thsi was not a toothless attack, the French defense was beaten there.

The second instance is a kick to Nash, again he will not have trained as much on kick receipts and takes the ball into trouble. Ireland’s systemic preparation is massively important to them but vulnerable to a pre match injury.


As I said previously, in all parallell universes France win, but it might have been a better and more interesting contest without that Injury.


My hopeful view before that match was of a Leinster-LaRochelle type scenario with Ireland building a score and then withstanding an onslaught. Turned out first half was a low scoring Leinster-LaRochelle encounter. Second half was tired Leinster versus Fresh Toulouse.

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