The Queensland Rugby Union is delighted to announce the re-signing of backrower John Bryant on a two-year deal after his breakout season.
The versatility shown by Bryant, 21, to play in all three backrow positions in 2024 has been a feature of him stepping up for the Queensland Reds.
The strong-running backrower played 16 times over his first 12 months as a Red to be one of the best examples of the club’s targeted development strategy.
Matches against top Kiwi and Australian opponents in Super Rugby Pacific were topped up by being tested against the different styles of Wales, Tonga and Japan’s Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
“It was an awesome season learning from the coaches and players around me and I’m really looking forward to putting in another two years,” Bryant said.
“My first couple of games coming in, you get a shock when seeing what Super Rugby is all about with the higher pace of play.
“The biggest thing you learn is that all the prep you do throughout the week is really key to performing on the weekend. You have to put all the detail in to get it spot on.”
Bryant chose the surrounds of Souths Rugby Club to make his re-signing announcement.
“I first started at Souths in the Under-8s so it’s really special to represent. I love the club. We weren’t always winning when I arrived but the boys really wanted to be there and wanted to play,” Bryant reflected.
“The Souths community, the friends and family around the club, are really important to me.”
Bryant said playing against a variety of teams had also enhanced his game since his Reds debut against the Wild Knights late last year.
“It was pretty special to play against the Welsh as well as visiting Tonga to find out how they do things,” Bryant added.
“Playing against different styles does improve your game. The Reds have a tour to Japan coming up and I’m really excited about our other tour games against Bristol and Ulster early next year because I’ve never been to Europe.”
Playing and training in a squad with an all-Wallaby backrow of Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson has major advantages.
“I’ve learnt a lot from Liam Wright, including his work in the lineouts. From Fraser, you see how he plays in the loose and is everywhere on the field. Harry Wilson has another aspect with his hard ball-carries,” Bryant said.
“You look at each of them and try to bring a bit of everything into my game.
“I also sit down with (assistant coach) Jonathan Fisher just about every week. He’s the coach I look to the most about what to improve on and where my game is at as a backrower.
“I obviously have a big focus on the breakdown. ‘Fish’ is pretty clear there…get low and accurate to make sure there is a good delivery of ball.”
Bryant said everyone at the Reds is aiming to build on the positive 2024 season when the team finished fifth and claimed three Kiwi scalps.
“With our coaching staff and adding new players, we’re definitely looking to improve next season,” Bryant said.
Reds head coach Les Kiss said it was a positive to have Bryant recommitted to the club.
“John made an impact in his debut game against the Wild Knights when it was also my first at the Reds,” Kiss said.
“It’s been really encouraging to watch his development as a Super Rugby player and also see his versatility to play all three backrow positions at that level.”
Position: Backrow
Height: 190cm
Weight: 100kg
Born: 20/02/2003
Born: Brisbane
Senior Club: Souths
School: St Laurence’s College
Queensland Reds debut: 2023 v Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Ballymore
Reds caps: 16
