19-year-old Brothers centre Dre Pakeho has a promising career development ahead of him after inking a two-year deal with the Queensland Reds.
“My debut for the Reds happened out of nowhere. It was a crazy feeling,” Pakeho said.
Pakeho was named the 2024 Under-20s Player of the Year in Queensland rugby as a pointer to his huge potential.
The gong recognised his progress with the Buildcorp Reds Academy, the Brothers club and when stepping up with aplomb for his Reds debut against Wales at Suncorp Stadium in July.
“I didn’t think the opportunity would come so soon,” Pakeho said.
“To now have my first full-time professional contract at the Reds is really special and in a squad which has big growth in it for 2025.
“To have the chance to train with the Reds when part of the Academy was massive.
“I’ve had guys like Hunter Paisami mentor me in my position. Just being able to ask him questions and hear his advice has been so helpful.
“Our backs coach Brad (Davis) has had a big impact on me too. He communicates really well around attack and especially defence.”
Pakeho’s crisp distribution and composed ball play were obvious against the Welsh. His second game against Tonga in Nuku’alofa showed how much he is up for the physical contest.
His breakout season still had another high to come. He savoured a StoreLocal Hospital Cup grand final triumph with Brothers in August.
“It was a sign of how far I’ve come. I was on the hill watching the Brothers boys win the premiership last year and I was on the field for the two-peat this season,” Pakeho said.
“I can’t wait to get into pre-season next week.”
His pride in wearing the Reds jersey is obvious.
“Wearing the Reds jersey means making my family proud, especially my mum and dad who have done so much for me. It’s also representing with my team-mates and playing for the fans,” Pakeho said.
“I’d never played in front of 23,000 fans like we had at the Reds-Wales game. I know about 100 of them were my own family, my parents, two brothers, two sisters and heaps of close family and friends from all over the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane.
“That was an unreal feeling.”
Reds head coach Les Kiss welcomed Pakeho on board for 2025-26 with the squad due to return to training on Monday.
“What I saw with Dre’s growth and commitment to development in the Academy program, with coach Dale Roberson, made it no surprise to me that he was able to step up for Brothers and in the Reds’ games against Wales and Tonga,” Kiss said.
“He’s a genuine inside centre and a really level-headed player who does his primary roles very well.”
