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In a sport often hampered by insularity and tradition, the newly formed partnership between Queensland Reds and Benetton Rugby has broken the mould.
For the first time, a Super Rugby side and a European URC club are formally collaborating in a boots-on-ground exchange. Four Reds players: Josh Flook, John Bryant, Richie Asiata, and Louis Werchon are heading to northern Italy on loan, while the two sides will clash in Treviso this November in what will be a historic first-ever fixture.
Michael Lynagh: The common thread
Michael Lynagh's eldest son, Louis, plays for Benetton and the Italian national team, while his youngest, Tom, is Australia's starting 10 for the ongoing Lions Series and the Reds' number one playmaker.
The 1991 World Cup winner helped Treviso win the Italian Championship in 1991-92 before leading the Reds to the inaugural Super 10 title in 1994, and it is believed the Wallaby centurion was a key factor in blossoming this partnership.
A mutually beneficial deal
While player loans between clubs are nothing new, this move is different in its scope and intent. This isn’t a short-term workaround and could instead be perceived as a rugby alliance.
Benetton will benefit from the injection of young Super Rugby talent, adding speed, skill, and physicality to a squad pushing to become a consistent force in the URC. For the Reds, this is about long-term development — giving their young stars the kind of week-in, week-out intensity that only European club rugby can provide during the Australian offseason.
Josh Flook, in particular, is a fascinating name in the group. The 23-year-old centre already has Super Rugby experience and is seen by many as a Wallabies bolter for their home World Cup in 2027. A stint in the URC, against hardened Northern Hemisphere defences, could be the perfect preparation.
A sign of things to come for the global game?
November’s match between Benetton and the Reds could be a test case for more regular cross-competition clashes. Imagine: Crusaders vs Leinster. Hurricanes vs Toulouse. Brumbies vs Bath. The kind of global rugby theatre fans have long craved.