‘Exceptional’ Wallabies talent decides on his future with British & Irish Lions tour looming
Reds-centre-Hunter-Paisami-looks-on
Star centre Hunter Paisami has re-committed to Rugby Australia and the Reds until at least 2026 in a deal that was confirmed on Wednesday.
The hard-hitting centre has recently passed a half-century of caps for the Queensland side and looks in good form this season putting him well on Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt’s radar.
Wallabies goal
Paisami is delighted to have signed on with both entities and underlined next year’s British & Irish Lions Series as a goal of his.
“I’m really stoked to be signing for another two years in Australia and with the Reds,” Paisami said.
“I’m really enjoying my time at the Reds with [head coach] Les Kiss and his crew. He’s building something special and I want to be a part of it.
“A major goal is to pull on that gold jersey again. That starts here by playing my best footy for the Reds and hopefully the opportunity to play at the next level comes from that.
“Having the British & Irish Lions touring Australia next year comes around once in a player’s lifetime, and hopefully I can earn a part in that.”
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‘Exceptional’
Kiss has enjoyed a strong start to his coaching career with the Reds and the coach had only praise for his star man.
“Hunter has been exceptional for us this season with how he has driven standards,” he said.
“He’s showing more variety in his game. It’s always been there. He’s found how to apply it to the different style we are playing.
“He’s a player who leads by his actions. The form he is in and with his age profile, there are good things ahead for Hunter with the Reds and as the strong option he offers the Wallabies.”
The Schmidt era for the Wallabies is almost set to begin with two Tests against Wales and one against Georgia in the mid-year window before the Rugby Championship.
The former Ireland boss will be under no illusions about the challenge ahead after the side failed to make it out of the group stage under Eddie Jones at last year’s Rugby World Cup.