Wallabies lock Izack Rodda is close to sorting out his Super Rugby future amid reported overtures from the NSW Waratahs, but says he is leaning towards staying put in Queensland.
Rodda has emerged as a key player for the Reds since making his debut last year but is coming out of contract.
The 22-year-old has also established himself as a Test regular too, and is seemingly coach Michael Cheika's preferred partner for Adam Coleman in the second row.
Reports last month suggested the Waratahs were interested in his services and given Queensland's precarious finances, they may be able to offer him a far bigger deal.
Rodda is actually from NSW, having grown up in Lismore, but has played all of his rugby since high school north of the border.
"I'm still in talks but I'm definitely getting closer to where I'm going to land," Rodda said on Tuesday.
"Staying in Queensland is definitely enticing.
"I love all the boys there and the culture that's growing there and it's close to home as well."
Rodda has indeed become a cornerstone of one of Super Rugby's most imposing packs at the Reds under Brad Thorn this year.
And he could be joined by more of his club teammates in Saturday night's Rugby Championship Test against South Africa.
Back-rower Caleb Timu and hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa are back in Cheika's train-on squad ahead of the Suncorp Stadium clash and firmly in the selection mix.
Powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou is also a chance of playing if he's able to recover from a hamstring strain that kept him out of the Bledisloe Cup defeats in Sydney and Auckland.
"I think he'd be a great help," Rodda said.
"He's definitely proved this year he's bringing a lot more physicality to his game and he's been working on his set piece a lot more."
Meanwhile, Rodda was pleased to see his Reds teammate Lukhan Tui doing well for Australia, having started the last two Tests alongside Michael Hooper and David Pocock in the loose forwards.
"I definitely think he's making that No.6 jersey his own," Rodda said.
"I think it suits his game more. He's more of a loose forward, how he carries the ball. He's got great skills and footwork at the line."
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