Australia’s depth in the outside backs has been strengthened heading into next year’s British and Irish Lions campaign, with four-Test Wallaby Jock Campbell re-signing with the Reds for another year.
The 29-year-old considered heading overseas, but the silky fullback, who last featured for the Wallabies in their come-from-behind win over Wales in 2022, decided to stay put under Les Kiss.
“The Reds are my club and I wasn’t looking to go anywhere else in Super Rugby,” Campbell said.
“What (head coach) Les (Kiss) is building is not only really fun to be involved with, it is an environment where I’m learning a lot of things in a new style of play.
“I see more progress ahead to get past the quarter-final barrier of the past few seasons with the new additions arriving at the club.”
His decision to extend his stay at Ballymore is an important one, with two-time World Cup Wallaby Jordan Petaia and fellow fullback likely to leave after eight years at the Reds.
Although the Reds wanted Petaia to stay, the Super Rugby franchise expects the talented back to try his hand at making the NFL like Welsh international Louis Rees-Zammit, who won a contract with Kansas City Chiefs.
By re-signing Campbell, the Reds have insured they have kept one of the most consistent players in Super Rugby and a key cog in their backline.
His signature will also help the Reds’ bid to make a genuine push at next year’s Super Rugby competition too, with Kiss already luring Josh Canham from the Rebels with several others, including Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, expected to join too.
Jock Campbell has re-signed with the Reds. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The ability to strengthen their tight-five will give Kiss the depth, power and physicality to go toe-to-toe with New Zealand’s sides after being taught a lesson by the Chiefs in their quarter-final loss in June.
“I’m really pleased to see Jock re-commit to the Reds,” Kiss said.
“His experience is an invaluable part of the program. When I first arrived at the Reds, Jock and Liam Wright were two senior players who helped me a lot around the coaching.
“Jock is a good mentor for the young guys. He has an astute rugby mind and his flexibility to play fullback, wing and outside centre is the versatility you need in squad.”
Campbell was one of the unluckier figures to miss out on Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad.
The experienced back built steadily throughout the season and grabbed the bull by the horns against the Crusaders in Christchurch, starring in the Reds’ 25-year drought-breaking win over the seven-time defending champions.
His ability to spot a gap and improved kicking game was a feature in 2024 during the Reds’ run to the Super Rugby quarter-finals.
But in a position of relative strength in Australian rugby, Schmidt opted for Tom Wright and Andrew Kellaway, as well as the versatile figures of Ben Donaldson and Kurtley Beale, in his initial 38-man Wallabies squad.
Four-Test Wallaby Jock Campbell is hoping to feature against the British and Irish Lions. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Campbell will have the chance to push his national case ahead of The Rugby Championship when the Reds host Wales in Brisbane on Friday night.
It’s the first time the Reds will have played a national side in 20 years, with a tour of Tonga, Japan and Europe to follow.
“I played my last Test against Wales in Cardiff so I know the noise, the singing and the atmosphere whenever the Welsh play,” Campbell said.
“The Reds are really looking forward to this one.
“These extra matches and tour opportunities with the Reds definitely resonate with me. Not many clubs are doing this type of thing.
“The opportunity to play against the British and Irish Lions next year is something I want to be around for as well.”
