He was once a battler on a star-studded faculties crew with Ponga and Perese. Now he is a possible Wallabies bolter

Richie Asiata jokes that you just’d see him trailing within the background should you glance up highlights of his star-studded highschool rugby facet.

It was once extra of the similar on the Queensland Reds closing yr when the injured hooker watched fellow No.2s Matt Faessler and Josh Nasser earn their Test caps.

Things have modified dramatically in 2025 even though, the 29-year-old at one level the one have compatibility, capped participant in his place.

He’s thriving because the Reds’ main try-scorer, with seven, and speaking down his possibilities of a surprise Wallabies call-up for the British and Irish Lions seek advice from.

“Pretty lucky to play in that team,” he mentioned of his undefeated 2014 GPS powerhouse Churchie crew that featured Kalyn Ponga, Brodie Croft, Liam Wright, Izaia Perese and different long term skilled standouts.

“Just happy to be there to be honest … you look at the highlights, you always see me in the background.”

Asiata credit his 2025 shape to an low season stint with Northland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship that were given mins within the legs of a participant struck down thrice by means of knee accidents after which by means of a neck grievance.

“I just wanted to get back playing again,” he mentioned forward of Saturday’s the most important Super Rugby conflict with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

“The boys were playing the house down and knew I had to catch up.

“You always play your type of game and when you get your chance, make sure you make it last.

“So I’m just trying to last out here until the boys come back.”

Faessler (hamstring) is not likely to play once more for the Reds this season whilst Nasser returned by way of the bench in closing week’s tight defeat of the NSW Waratahs.

The pair each scored in opposition to the Waratahs, Asiata playing the Reds’ rolling maul dominance this yr after a schoolboy occupation at Churchie spent maintaining together with his flying backs.

The Reds, confident of a finals berth however chasing a top-three end and a house quarter-final, are 5 issues in the back of the third-placed Crusaders.

The Brumbies are two issues additional forward in 2d, however have performed another recreation than each the Reds and Crusaders.

Saturday’s end result can have main finals implications with simply two regular-season rounds to play.

“It’s massive for us … we lost here (in Brisbane) against Brumbies, we want to get one over them,” Asiata mentioned of Saturday’s high-stakes conflict.

“We’ll take it game by game and wherever we land in the finals we’ll be ready to go.”

© AAP