One-test All Black Aidan Ross signs with the Reds as Wallabies eligibility looms

Monday, 9 December 2024

One-test All Black Aidan Ross has signed with the Queensland Reds and will leave New Zealand next year.

Ross, who was born in Gosford, north of Sydney, is eligible for the Wallabies in July, having spent the first eight years of his life in Australia before his Kiwi parents moved to Tauranga.

The 29-year-old loosehead prop has amassed 88 games for the Chiefs since 2017 and should become a centurion before moving across the ditch and potentially playing for the Joe Schmidt-coached Wallabies.

That could mean featuring against the British and Irish Lions, who will tour Australia between June 28 and August 2.

Called into the All Blacks as injury cover for Karl Tu’inukuafe in 2021 but not required, Ross went on to debut against Ireland in Dunedin on July 9, 2022.

That date is important, given it marks the start of his three-year stand down period before becoming eligible to play for Australia.

The Reds face the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane on July 2, before the first of three tests is played on July 19, also in Brisbane.

Former All Blacks Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen and Alex Hodgman are also members of the Reds, who Ross has signed to play Super Rugby for between 2026-2027.

“This decision hasn’t been an easy one, but this year will be my last season with the Gallagher Chiefs,” Ross said in a statement.

“This team has meant so much to me and my family. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been provided while wearing the jersey.

“The boys and management are a great group, and I am looking forward to kicking off the Super Rugby Pacific season with them.”

Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan added: “Aidan has given a lot to this team, and we support him and his family in making the move next season. He has been an asset to us, on and off the field, and I have no doubt he will be the same for the Reds.”