Reds lock in Bloomfield and Blake after breakout Super Rugby seasons earn new deals

The Queensland Reds have secured the futures of front-row prospects Nick Bloomfield and George Blake, with both props signing contract extensions after making their marks in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Blake, 25, re-signed through 2027 after racking up 31 appearances in maroon across two years. A loosehead prop who previously played for Manawatu in New Zealand’s NPC, he had not started for the Reds since May 2023 before earning a run-on spot in round 13 of the 2026 campaign. He went on to start against the Chiefs, Western Force, and Moana Pasifika before returning to the bench for the final two rounds.

“It was definitely a confidence booster knowing the coaches had that belief in me,” Blake said of the season. “This season, I feel I’ve made improvements in getting around the field more for involvements away from doing my job at the set piece. Queensland is home.”

Bloomfield, 22, had a similarly significant year. The former Australia Under-20 prop did not feature in the opening five rounds but then started four consecutive matches — a first at Super Rugby Pacific level. Among those appearances was a start against the Hurricanes, where he scrummaged opposite Xavier Numia, who was named in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year alongside hooker Asafo Aumua and tighthead Tevita Mafileo. Bloomfield has now committed to Queensland on a two-year deal running through 2028.

“I got to scrum against top Kiwi props like Xavier Numia and Wallabies like Tom Robertson,” Bloomfield said. “At Reds training, I get to scrum against a Test prop in Aidan Ross and pick up ideas and techniques. It’s all a good wake-up to how much work you need to do to succeed consistently at this level.”

Sam Cordingley, Reds General Manager of High Performance, pointed to both signings as evidence of the club’s development pathway bearing fruit. “Nick and George both show the benefits of years of consistent development through our Queensland rugby system,” Cordingley said. “Both earned considerable opportunities in Super Rugby Pacific this year and can take that confidence and experience into the future.”