Australia's 2007 World Cup scrum anchor Guy Shepherdson will aim to resurrect his flagging rugby career at Queensland in a move which bolsters the Reds' front-row stocks.

Shepherdson has left the Brumbies, where he was this year displaced by rising Wallabies' tighthead prop Salesi Ma'afu, for the Reds on a two-year deal at Ballymore.

The 28-year-old's signing - one of four announced by Queensland on Wednesday - adds important experience and size to the Reds front-row after they were aggrieved to lose Laurie Weeks to the Melbourne Rebels.

The 187cm, 119kg prop has packed down in 18 Tests and 70 Super 14 matches but has failed to overcome the disappointment of the last World Cup campaign.

Shepherdson hasn't been seen in Wallabies colours since the quarter-final loss to England in Marseille when he was completely outmuscled by man-of-the-match Andrew Sheridan.

However McKenzie believes the Indonesian-born Canberra product still has plenty to offer and can return to the international arena.

"I've looked at it pretty closely and I think there's still a lot of potential there," the 51-Test former Australian prop told AAP.

"I know he's got the right attitude and he knows he's got a lot of life left in him.

"We think there's something there and what we get is a large amount of experience which you don't get very easily, especially in the front-row."

Shepherdson felt the offer to move north to Super rugby's biggest improvers, who went from second last in 2009 to fifth this season, was too good to refuse.

"I've been at the Brumbies a long time and change is sometimes good," he said.

"With that in mind, Queensland is the most attractive place to come to at the moment for a number of reasons.

"The talent they have is pretty exciting and I can see them having a lot of success in the next few years.

"All round, it's a great opportunity for me."

Although the Reds lost Weeks, Shepherdson will still have to compete with fellow World Cup prop Greg Holmes and Australian Barbarians selection James Slipper for the No.3 jersey.

Queensland have also locked in another ex-Brumbies forward, veteran lock Radike Samo, to a full contract after the 33-year-old made an impact in the final two rounds of 2010 as an injury replacement.

McKenzie upgraded back-rower Jake Schatz and centre Ben Tapuai from academy contracts to give them two-year deals.

The Reds had just nine players locked into deals beyond 2010 at the start of this year but have now signed a further 19 and are quietly confident of retaining off-contract Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper.

Reds signed on for 2011: Will Genia, James Horwill, Will Chambers, Ben Daley, Greg Holmes, Digby Ioane, Luke Morahan, Leroy Houston, Lei Tomiki, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Scott Higginbotham, Rob Simmons, Van Humphries, Kimami Sitauti, Dominic Shipperley, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, Rod Davies, Ben Lucas, Albert Anae, James Slipper, James Hanson, Peter Hynes, Radike Samo, Jake Schatz, Guy Shepherdson, Ben Tapuai.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP