Wallabies centre Josh Flook will depart Australian rugby at season’s end, linking up with Italian giants Benetton at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign to put a dent in the country’s midfield stocks.
The 24-year-old, who has amassed six Test caps, had initially intended to undertake a secondment with the club last year through their partnership with the Queensland Reds, only to be called into the national fold.
Australia’s Josh Flook scores a try during a rugby test between the Wallabies and Japan.Credit: AP
He will join Benetton from July 1, signing through to June 30, 2027 with an option to extend his stay for another year. Reds halfback Louis Werchon is also making the move to Italy.
“I’ve been following the club and Italian rugby closely over the past year, and what’s struck me most is the passion they play with and the love their fans have for the game,” Flook said.
“It reminds me a lot of Queensland and how deeply rugby is loved there. Benetton plays a very exciting attacking game, which is exactly the kind of game that appeals to me, and I can’t wait to be part of this environment and contribute to what the team is building.”
Flook’s departure opens the door for Isaac Henry, who inked a one-year contract extension with the Reds following his try-scoring heroics against the Waratahs on Saturday.
Henry has made just 20 appearances for Queensland since his 2021 debut, as knee, hamstring and foot injuries left him questioning his future in an injury-riddled career.
“It wasn’t too long ago I was thinking ‘is this for me?’ But I think when you’re in those moments you kind of learn the most about yourself, and I’m pretty fortunate and grateful now to have those moments,” Henry said.
“I think the most shattering was the knee. I sort of make a point to try to get back better than I was before the injury, and I felt I was doing that.
“Then I did the knee, and it sent my world into a bit of shock and chaos. But looking back now I’m super grateful and fortunate for that because I’ve learned an incredible amount.”
Losing Flook diminishes the centre options at incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss’ disposal, amid speculation fellow Test sensation Hunter Paisami would shift to Japanese rugby. The arrival of NRL convert Angus Crichton may offset that, with the Sydney Roosters gun tipped for a berth at inside centre.
While players can still be selected for Australia while playing overseas, no member of the initial 2025 Spring Tour squad played outside Super Rugby that year.
Len Ikitau, James O’Connor, Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou all played on the tour despite signing overseas deals. Noah Lolesio and Will Skelton were big names abroad who were unavailable.
The lack of centre depth, however, has now given Henry the opportunity to impress ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but the man himself stressed it was not a thought on his mind.
“I’m pretty focused on what we’re trying to do here at the Reds, and trying to play my best footy for Queensland, so I haven’t really put too much thought into that,” Henry said.
Working in Henry’s favour ahead of his Wallabies push could be his developing rapport with five-eighth Carter Gordon, whose standout showing against the Waratahs has propelled him to the front of the Test pecking order.
The 25-year-old scored twice, his second try the match-winner upon showing a surprising burst of pace given his own injury history to beat Test winger Harry Potter on his outside in a 50-metre dash, while his bomb off the boot set up No.8 Harry Wilson for the game’s opening try.
Gordon endured a 2025 of carnage after suffering a spinal fluid leak in his NRL pre-season with the Gold Coast Titans, before sustaining a broken nose, torn quad and wrist break upon his return to rugby union.
Isaac Henry of the Reds scores a try during the round five Super Rugby match between Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
But with each week, he appears to gain a stride, and Reds captain Fraser McReight revealed it was Gordon’s work off the ball that had captured his attention.
“It’s great to play alongside him, especially when we’re defending with him. He throws his body around, and as a loose forward I love that, I respect that massively because he’s searching for blokes,” McReight said.
“He can take criticism really well on the field, at times boys can get into him because he’s our 10, and we need him talking, and then he does it and steps up. I don’t think there’s any better image in a forward’s mind than when you see your 10 wanting the ball, taking the ball and owning that space.”
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