4-Check Wallaby Angus Blyth has swapped Queensland maroon for sky blue, signing with the NSW Waratahs forward of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Queensland Reds farewelled departing locks Ryan Smith and Blyth on Sunday, with Smith off to Welsh membership Ospreys within the United Rugby Championship. Whereas the Reds didn’t reveal the place Blyth was off to, the lock reaffirmed a want to “symbolize my nation extra.”
Blyth represented the Wallabies 4 instances below coach Joe Schmidt in 2024, earlier than taking part in for the Australia XV in opposition to England A final November. With ambitions to return to the Check area, Blyth has made the transfer south of the border to the Harbour Metropolis.
This transfer brings Blyth’s 75-game Queensland profession to an finish. Blyth featured in 14 matches for the Reds final season, which included begins in opposition to the Western Drive, Highlanders, and the Fijian Drua.
“For me, it is a new chapter to sit up for in my rugby profession,” Blyth stated in a press release.
“Going to the NSW Waratahs is a serious change of surroundings with new coaches and new gamers and it’ll undoubtedly push me out of my consolation zone.
“I’ve been on the Reds for the previous eight seasons; so, stepping into one thing totally different in Sydney is thrilling.
“As a lock, it’s at all times about nailing your set piece element, tackling low, hitting rucks and physicality.
“I need to preserve bettering, play extra minutes on the NSW Waratahs and earn the respect of my new staff.”
Blyth was chosen to debut for the Wallabies 12 months in the past in opposition to Wales in Sydney, with the second-rower coming off the bench to play 40 minutes. The New South Wales-born expertise was additionally picked to face the Welsh the next week at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
After beginning in Checks in opposition to Georgia and South Africa, Blyth acquired a chance to pack down for the Australia XV on the Twickenham Stoop. British & Irish Lion Henry Pollock was named within the run-on aspect for the England A n that fixture.
With the Rugby World Cup on Australian soil a few years away, Blyth is keen to push for nationwide choice as soon as once more. The lock has additionally confronted the Lions twice throughout their tour, lining up for the Reds and AUNZ Invitational XV.
“There are large occasions taking place in rugby in Australia,” Blyth defined.
“You need to keep within the nation for these sorts of video games with the Lions right here and the World Cup developing.
“You need to be pushing for the Wallabies. That’s the childhood dream and at all times has been.”
That is the newest marquee signing for the Tahs, who’re persevering with to rebuild in direction of a playoff return below coach Dan McKellar.
Wallabies winger Harry Potter has singed on from the Western Drive, and Tremendous Rugby Pacific champion Ioana Moananu has left the Crusaders in Christchurch for Sydney.
“Angus is an enormous physique, a real lock,” McKellar added.
“He has actual presence round set piece and to win any recreation or competitors at Tremendous Rugby degree you want high quality set piece. Angus will definitely add to that.”
