Peni Ravai re-signs with Reds; Massimo De Lutiis returns to Queensland

Fijian Test prop Peni Ravai has re-signed with the Queensland Reds through 2024 after impressing in his debut Super Rugby Pacific season.

 
The 33-year-old was yesterday named in Fiji’s squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup and will look to add to his 40-caps for the Flying Fijians in France.

 
Ravai featured in 14-games for Queensland in 2023, bringing significant experience from the French Top 14 to the Reds frontrow.

Joining Ravai in the Reds prop stocks is Junior Wallaby and Gold Coast product Massimo De Lutiis, who returns to his home state after a stint in Canberra with the ACT Brumbies.

 
Ravai said: “I’ve loved my time with the Reds so far.

 
“It’s a great group of players and staff, and I’m looking forward to working in a new world class facility at Ballymore next season.

 
“I enjoy working with the young frontrowers at the club and hope I can help them with my experience.”

 
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said: “Peni is great for our squad on-and-off the field.

 
“To have someone with his Test match experience is hugely important for our young props and their development as professionals.

 
“He’ll only add to his knowledge at the World Cup and we wish him all the best for the tournament.

“We’re glad Massimo has chosen to join us back in his home state. 

“He’s a player with great promise and will bring plenty to our group of props at Ballymore moving forward.”

 
Ravai debuted for the Fijian Sevens team in 2013, before making his international debut in the XV-man game the same year against Romania.

 
Ravai played in the National Rugby Championship (NRC) for the Greater Sydney Rams in 2014, before moving to Southland to play in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship in 2016.

 
The frontrower then took his talents to the Northern Hemisphere, playing for Division Two side Aurillac before making the jump to the Top 14 with Bordeaux and Clermont between 2017 and 2021.

 
Ravai represented Fiji in the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups and was the first Fijian international prop to also represent the country in Sevens.

 
He made his Reds debut against the Hurricanes in Round 1 of Super Rugby Pacific this year, missing just one match of Queensland’s campaign.

De Lutiis will join the Reds squad in 2024 after representing his country at the World Rugby U20 Championships in South Africa this year. 

A product of the Gold Coast's The Southport School, De Lutiis was part of the Reds Junior Academy and the Queensland U18s team in 2020, who did not take the field due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He made the move to the nation's capital in 2022, spending two seasons with the Brumbies and Canberra Royals before earning Junior Wallabies selection this year.