Top Lock Josh Canham Extends Contract with Reds and Rugby Australia

The Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia are delighted to announce a contract extension with Queensland Reds lock Josh Canham for 2027.

The towering lock signed a two-year deal in June 2024 but has elected to extend for another year with all the potential rewards ahead in Australian rugby.

The 2.02m Canham, 24, took major strides in 2025 with a frontline role for the Reds in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific and earning his first starting role for the Wallabies against Japan in October.

“How impressed I was with the club in my first year at the Reds and my ambition to play at a home Rugby World Cup are the big reasons to my decision,” Canham said.

“If I left too early with all there is to play for in Australia, I’d never forgive myself.”

Canham said he had approaches from French clubs to consider but the balance in his own mind was clear.

“The professionalism of the coaches at the Reds, the facilities, a very exciting playing group and an exciting style of footy, I like playing, make the Reds the place I want to be,” Canham said.

“The assistant coaches for the forwards are really able to work on the little things that make a difference, stuff people don’t always see. I’m talking about Choc (Zane Hilton) and Fish (Jonathan Fisher) working on the breakdown, getting the ball away from danger, delivery of the ball from lineouts and stuff like that.

“The players work hard for each other because we are close. It’s not a chore because you are surrounded by mates, guys you catch up with away from rugby.

“There is a lot of opportunity in Australian rugby over these next few years.”

The multi-skilled Canham played 14 games for the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific in 2025 when he was the team’s No.1 lineout winner, led the team for offloads and only Fraser McReight made more tackles.

After his three seasons with the Melbourne Rebels, he now has 48 Super Rugby caps to his name plus the huge experience of playing for the Reds against the British and Irish Lions last season.

The two-Test Canham made his Wallabies debut off the bench against Argentina in Santa Fe in 2024 and was rewarded with a Test start at lock against Japan in Tokyo last October.

“I was very proud to pull on the gold jersey and run out as a starter for the first time in Tokyo,” Canham said.

“I felt I left a lot out there in terms of how much more I can offer because I had to come off early (after a head knock).

“That chance has certainly made me hungry to prove myself and get into that position again.

“Being in that Wallabies environment every day on tour enabled me to work on individual skills and understand the ins-and-outs of how the Wallabies go about things. I’m definitely going to be pushing for more consistent opportunities.

“It’s a step in the right direction but you want to keep pushing because it’s not just about making squads.”

Reds Head Coach Les Kiss is upbeat about Canham's progress.

“It’s fantastic that Josh has extended. There is so much upside in what he offers as a hard, physical player with great lineout skills and being very coachable," Kiss said.

“He’s ambitious and really wants to play at the highest level which is reflected in his appetite to work to improve his game."

Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance Peter Horne said: “Josh is an emerging young player who has had some Test experience and has a bright future ahead of him.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to support him in Australian Rugby and seeing him work hard to further develop his game.”
 
JOSH CANHAM
Position: Lock
Height: 202cm
Weight: 118kg
Born: 1/2/2001
Place of birth: Peoria, USA
Senior Club: Bond University
School: Brighton Grammar School, Melbourne
Junior Club: Harlequin Rugby Club, Melbourne
Queensland Reds Caps: 20
Queensland Reds Debut: 2024 v Wales, Brisbane
Super Rugby Caps: 48 (Reds 14, Rebels 34)
Super Rugby Pacific Debut: 2022 (Melbourne Rebels) v Fijian Drua
Super Rugby Points: 15 (3 tries)