136-game veteran Cadeyrn Neville rejoins Queensland Reds after seven seasons with Brumbies

The Queensland Reds have secured the signing of experienced lock Cadeyrn Neville for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, with the 37-year-old returning to Ballymore after seven seasons with the ACT Brumbies. The eight-Test Wallabies second-rower brings 136 Super Rugby appearances to a Reds pack that will be led by incoming head coach Vern Cotter.

Neville’s career in Australian rugby has taken him through three franchises. He made more than 45 appearances for the Melbourne Rebels between 2012 and 2015 before joining the Reds for an initial stint of 16 matches. He then moved to the Brumbies, where he earned his first Wallabies call-up under coach Dave Rennie in 2022, debuting against England in Perth at the age of 31.

His final season in Canberra saw Neville remain a reliable presence, averaging more than 40 minutes per match and earning nine First XV selections during the Brumbies’ run to the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. He featured in the Qualifying Final defeat to the Hurricanes before the club confirmed last weekend that he would not be returning for 2026.

“It’s pretty exciting to have another season coming up with a club which has had some great results and has a good group together,” Neville said. “I’ve had a fair bit of experience playing against Vern’s Blues sides. I still enjoy being coached and improving so I’m looking forward to that experience.”

Neville also pointed to existing relationships within the Reds squad as a factor in his return, citing time spent with Harry Wilson on a Barbarians tour in 2023, Wallabies camps alongside Fraser McReight, and a shared history with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto from his first spell at the club in 2016. He also noted that Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton was his forwards coach during his early days at the Rebels.

“If anything, it’s knowing how to go about this job as a professional,” Neville added. “It’s the preparation, the reviews, the recovery, the training and just knowing how to get the most out of myself so I maximise my offering to the team on weekends.”

Cotter takes charge of Queensland following the departure of Les Kiss, and Neville’s experience across three franchises and at Test level gives the new coaching staff a seasoned option in the engine room as they look to build on the Reds’ recent form.