Why ex-All Black signed for Reds with Wallaby gold also in sight

Former All Black Aidan Ross could potentially join “a funny club” across the ditch in Australia once the prop officially becomes eligible for the Wallabies. After a decorated Super Rugby career in Hamilton, Ross will wear the Queensland Reds’ colours from next season.

Last year, the Queensland Rugby Union announced the one-Test All Black had penned a multi-year deal with the club based at Ballymore, Brisbane. Ross will link up with the Reds later this year, but first, the front-rower is firmly focused on one last campaign with the Chiefs.

Ross, 29, debuted for the Chiefs in a nine-point win over the Western Force in April, 2017, and has since proven himself a core member of Clayton McMillan’s side. The Australia-born talent featured in the last two Grand Finals for the Chiefs, but they were beaten both times.

When it was announced that Ross had signed with the Reds, the prop’s Wallabies eligibility was of course discussed. Ross was born in Gosford on the Central Coast, which is north of Sydney, and will be available for national selection in time for the British and Irish Lions Series.

But that’s not the only factor driving Ross’ move across the ditch.

“Yeah, it’s obviously a sweetener there that I’m eligible,” Ross, who played one Test for New Zealand in 2022 against Ireland, told RugbyPass at the Super Rugby Pacific season launch in Sydney.

“We’ve got a one-and-a-half-year-old boy, pretty keen to grow the family some more and just going to the UK or quite far away from home was definitely brought into the decision.

“Brisbane’s still nice and close to home and to be fair that was a huge part of the reasoning. New environment, a new challenge, and we’ve got a support system only three hours away.

“If I’m honest, that was one of the massive driving things to make sure our family was happy and it works out the timing is great that I’m eligible.

“My biggest thing is I’ve got to have a really good season with the Chiefs.”

Ross is more than aware of “what’s coming in 12 months’ time” with Brisbane’s muggy humidity making it difficult for any athlete to grind during pre-season, but for now, the Chiefs enforcer is intent on helping the team finally go one better in 2025.

In 2023, Codie Taylor and Richie Mo’unga orchestrated a memorable comeback for the Crusaders as they went on to claim their seventh Super Rugby title in as many years with a valiant win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.

The Chiefs were back in the big dance 12 months later, but it proved to be another heartbreaking evening, with some losing a second Grand Final on the bounce. With thousands watching on at Eden Park, the Blues were far too good in a 41-10 demolition of their Kiwi rivals.

But a new season presents another chance for players to dream of title glory. Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima and Luke Jacobson headline a star-studded cast for the Chiefs, who are raring to go after an “awesome” pre-season.

“It’s definitely been one of the tougher ones I reckon in my time,” Ross reflected when asked about pre-season. “Just working really hard for one another and hopefully that will pay dividends in the back end of the season.

“Like I said before, I guess you’d rather be in a final and lose it than not being in a final but it does suck coming off second best twice.

“We’ve got another chance. Fresh year, fresh season to stake another claim and get it right.

“We haven’t watched the final back,” he added. “I guess it was one of those ones where we just got outplayed. There was no question about it, the Blues were far better on the day and rightly so they deserve that title.

“It’s just about how we can get better and the changes we need to change to go one further.”