The Queensland Rugby Union is delighted to announce that promising young prop Massimo De Lutiis will continue his development at the Queensland Reds until the end of 2026.
De Lutiis, 20, was already tied to the Reds for next season but both parties have decided to extend the deal for an extra year.
It is a strong sign that the Reds see a big future in his 126kg frame and that the former Australian Under-20s star is revelling in his time at the Reds.
“I’m loving it. All the boys are very inclusive and the coaching is immaculate when it comes to being in the right place to keep learning as a young tighthead prop,” De Lutiis said.
“Having experience around me every day with our front-row boys is ideal because the scrum is obviously a big thing for me.”
De Lutiis is a key part of the Reds’ prop stocks beside Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Gibbon, Alex Hodgman, Sef Fa’agase and George Blake, a melting pot of Test experience, vast Super Rugby resumes and eager learning.
“Someone like Jeffery has that leadership personality and he’s obviously played in Europe as well as Super Rugby. He’s someone who tells me about set-ups and the mentality at scrum-time," De Lutiis said.
“Noggsy (Nonggorr) went to the same school (The Southport School) as I did so that’s created a good bond where I can ask questions about coming through the ranks and his experiences.
“You scrum at training and there’s always feedback to work with from all the guys.
“(Assistant coach) Zane Hilton definitely loves the scrum. He’s always sending me clips. His knowledge is incredible and that goes for breaking down the workings of the maul.”
De Lutiis impressed players and staff alike at the Reds in April when he turned 14 weeks on the sidelines with a quadricep injury into a motivating rehab goal.
He bench-pressed a massive 202.5kg in the gym to eclipse the Reds record set by Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou (200kg) four years earlier.
He harnessed that raw strength into technical gains with Easts in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup and his Reds’ chances.
De Lutiis is a major beneficiary of the Reds International Program with his three caps being won against Japan’s Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Wales and Tonga.
In his Reds debut last November, De Lutiis put on a huge shunt just metres from his own tryline on full-time to buckle the Wild Knights scrum and protect a 31-29 victory.
Matches abroad against the Wild Knights, Bristol and Ulster will further develop the Reds players involved in international match-ups before the 2025 Super Rugby season kicks-off.
“I’ve definitely felt the benefit of those international games and playing against different styles and sizes of opponents” De Lutiis said.
Reds head coach Les Kiss is upbeat about De Lutiis extending his time at the club.
“From the moment he made his impact against the Wild Knights with that final scrum, we’ve seen Massimo’s promise as a prop,” Kiss said.
“He’s shown a lot of character and discipline to come back strongly from injury. At training, you see how keen he is for knowledge and the diligence to do what it takes to keep improving.”
Massimo De Lutiis
Position: Prop
Height: 188cm
Weight: 126kg
Born: 18/11/2003
Birthplace: Sydney
Senior Club: Easts
School: The Southport School
Queensland Reds debut: 2023 v Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Brisbane
Reds caps: 3
