It’s an awesome time to be following Australian rugby. Super Rugby AU is about to kick off and Queensland is STACKED with talent.
Last week, I was happy to catch up with Reds forward Joe Brial. Now in his second season here at Ballymore, Joe has left his mark on the squad, making an impact in the number 6 and 8 positions.
I enjoyed chatting with Joe about his experiences here with the Reds, his favourite post-match feed and many plenty more! I hope you enjoy reading our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it!
This is Reds Rugby Rules, so I’d love to start with the Reds. How did the 2025 Super Rugby season go from your perspective? And what do you think is in store for the Reds, looking forward?
I think, obviously, results-wise, we wanted to win, obviously, so it was a bit heartbreaking. But I think, as I'm sure you've seen, it’s such a good group of boys, building a strong, consistent game. It’s pretty exciting. Obviously, you want to win, and, but I think what we're building here is a strong, great group of boys with great coaches as well. It's, yeah, it's really exciting.
Even now, we’re working on ways to do a couple better and bring that cup, so you can have a look at it.
I’m super stoked about Super Rugby AU. I think something like it has been needed for a while now. The first home game will be on Sunday, September 14th, at Ballymore. What’s your message to fans ahead of that game?
Yeah, I agree with you, you just need more games, you know. It has been needed for a while and it's only gonna make everyone better, so I'm really looking forward to it. Anytime you get to put the Reds jersey on, it's pretty exciting.
My message to the fans would be come down and watch some exciting footy. You know, this is not just a couple of games for us, but we're really looking forward to this comp. We want to win, we’re playing for the State, so it's an exciting time to get down and watch us!
What’s been the highlight so far, over the last two seasons of playing with the Reds?
There's been a couple of good ones. You know, like, playing in Dunedin and beating the Highlanders for the first time down there in a few years.
Another one that sticks out for me personally, was that try I scored against the Chiefs in Hamilton. I kicked it and then put the ball down with my tummy… you can watch the replay, I don't quite put it down right. It's debatable, but it's a try, it got points, so for me personally, that's a bit of a highlight, you know, I haven't played too many super games before that.
But yeah, lots of highlights with the team: beating the Chiefs at home last year, the Blues this year - yeah, a lot of highlights. They just keep coming as well, which is good.
Who were the players you looked up to growing up, and have you had the chance to face or play alongside them yet?
Yeah, when I was a lot younger, people like Michael Hooper, Kieren Read, you know, those kind of loose forwards have definitely been people I’ve looked up. They’re people I’ve modelled my game off. And, yeah, I've had opportunity - not to play with them, but to meet them and talk with them through the years. It’s interesting, you kind of get a bit star-stuck at first - sometimes it’s hard to keep calm and actually have, you know, normal conversations, but then you realise that they're just normal people.
How would you describe your playing style, and what do you see as your biggest strengths on the field?
How would I describe my playing style… It would be, as a number eight or six, back-rower, I try and be physical, so that's with my ball carries and my defence. I think those are the ways for back-rowers to impact the game.
Knowing you, I’m sure you enjoy watching all all the big hits and big runs.
Yeah, that’s one thing I love about the game, I prefer that to a game with too much kicking! Who’s the hardest player you’ve had to tackle or play against?
Um, people like Ardie Savea - he's pretty elusive and hard to tackle. Then you have... even Harry Wilson at training, he’s hard to tackle - he runs pretty hard and fast.
And when we played for the AUNZ team against the British and Irish Lions a couple of weeks ago, going up against Bundee Aki… he's a big wrecking ball.
Yeah, I’ve been working on my defence, trying to stay active and not to get beaten. So when I work hard to try and make a big hit or a tackle, how I can make more of them stick. So if that's with my footwork going in, or my positioning, that kind of stuff.
What do you love most about playing for the Reds?
In Queensland, there's such a pride for the Reds jersey. I feel pretty privileged to be able to put that on and play for the State - and how many people love the team.
I think that's probably my favourite part, but also the group, the boys and the environment that we have is awesome. It makes coming into training enjoyable.
What are your personal goals, both inside and outside of rugby?
Yeah, inside of rugby would be the Wallabies. That's obviously a big goal of mine. So I'm always trying to work towards that - playing for Australia.
That drives me day to day and keeps me training, which is good. Outside of rugby, I do enjoy learning, so as we talked about before, I went to uni and got a Bachelor's degree in commerce, which has been good. I think I want to continue studying, so I’m looking to do my master’s, potentially in business administration or something like that.
While I have lots of resources and a bit of time, I’m trying to progress in that way. I enjoy it as well, which is good.
What do you like to do away from rugby to relax and recharge?
I play a lot of golf. I actually played with Jock Campbell and Jordy Petaia yesterday, which was nice, we had a good game with him.
What else… I like going to the beach, swimming, enjoying the nice Queensland sun, this time of the year at least, while it's not too hot. But yeah, I like to try and keep busy.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Yeah, I do have a few. Before home games, I tend to try and eat the same things. So my go-to is - it's probably a little bit weird - but I have a couple of ham, chicken and mayo toasties. And then, what I have been doing this year is quite a lot of, breathing and meditating before games which is pretty good. It helps me kind of relax and stay calm.
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Speaking of food, what’s your favourite post-game feed?
Well, whatever I get, it's a lot of food, but it can range from, getting a couple of pizzas from Domino’s, to the quick drive through at the Milton Maccas after the game, or KFC, but I think it’s just that, whatever I get, I get a lot of… and then, you know, you tend to go straight to sleep after that, you get a bit sleepy after a lot of food.
Thanks Joe, for your time and all the best for this year’s Super Rugby AU games and your Wallabies journey! See you at the club finals game Sunday!
Thanks Tom, awesome to chat mate! Really appreciate your support and you coming down.
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