by Juan Cote
If you were standing near the Ballymore exits at the end of last season you would have been in serious danger of being injured in a stampede; such was the exodus of players heading into either full-time retirement or semi-retirement on the European club scene.
Although there was plenty of deadwood cut from the ranks, there still remains some massive holes that will not be filled this year – Latho, Squeeky Moore, Rodzilla and Cordingley the obvious names. Add to that the retirements of John Roe and Crofty and you get some idea of the void left in the talent and experience stakes.
Mungo Mark Mclinden
Recruitment for 2009 seems to have been a fairly eclectic affair, perhaps underlying the fact that the Reds aren’t exactly a ‘first choice employer’ for players in this part of the world. The ‘big’ signing for the Reds was that of All Black Daniel Braid, a good move that will cover for the loss of Croft and give the Reds some much needed experience in the forwards.
The two-for-one signing of the Faingaa twins, Saia and Anthony, from the Brumbies was a surprise but not half as much as the signing of Mark McLinden from UK league – not too sure what the rationale behind that one is? A promising No.8 from Otago named Ezra Taylor is an interesting gain, injured quite badly last season he will be looking to displace Leroy Houston who was one of the Reds’ best toward the end of last season.
The other new boys are a mixture of ‘pups’ from various academy sides as well tight-head prop Laurie Weeks from the much lauded Sydney University scrum and fullback Rodney Davies from the Brisbane Broncos. Davies was an Ipswich Grammar School rugby prodigy (as was Berrick Barnes) who spent a year with the Broncos junior team and may well find himself as first choice fullback to start the season.
Forwards
The Reds look like being one front-row injury away from oblivion – only two Props and one Hooker who are up to Super 14 standard. Pressure will be on Saia Faingaa to provide reasonable back-up to Sean Hardman while Dayna Edwards and Greg Holmes are the only experienced props. With James Horwill unavailable until mid-Super 14, the Reds second-row stocks are also thin. It will be up to either youngster Rob Simmons or Waratahs academy signing Adam Brynes to provide back-up to Hugh McMeniman and Van Humphries until Horwill returns to the fray.
The back-row will be a positive for the Reds with the likes of Braid, Taylor and Houston as well as the West’s Bulldogs triumvirate of McMeniman, Scott Higginbotham and Tasi Luafutu providing plenty of options for Phil Mooney as well as cover for injuries. The Reds forwards weren’t disgraced last season however it remains to be seen what impact the loss of Moore, Blake, Roe and Croft has on the consistency of the pack this year.
Backs
Quade influencing people
When you look at the up and coming back-line talent in Australian Rugby at the moment, most of that talent is concentrated in Queensland. Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Peter Hynes and Digby Ioane were the biggest Wallaby improvers in 2008 and when you add Ben Lucas’ name to that list – who would have toured with the Wallabies but for injury – it makes fairly impressive reading.
Half-back is a concern with only Lucas and Will Genia being specialists, an injury to either could see Barnes having to spend time filling in which would diminish the Reds attacking effectiveness.
Full-back is a position where there is no clear choice, the contenders are Davies, McLinden or academy graduate Aidan Toua, none of which inspire tremendous confidence. It may come down to Hynes to fill the role however this seems unlikely due to Mooney’s reluctance to play him anywhere but wing. The Reds only scored one ‘4 try’ bonus point last season however this year the backs look as though they could be a real attacking force, provided they get decent ball that is.
Prediction
It is hard to see the Reds finishing any better than mid table given the upheaval that has taken place over the off-season and the amount of talent that has left the side. A fully fit Reds outfit reads very well on paper however the chances of a team going through a season without injuries is non-existent. Depth in the front-row, half-back and full-back positions are a major risk and when added to the general lack of experienced players, the Reds will lack the fire power to win the ‘big ones’.
Last year the Reds only managed three wins however they also drew one match and lost another three by less than seven points. This year the Reds realistically can win all their home games (6) and maybe sneak another couple on the road (the Waratahs game for sure!!) which would give them about 32 points, give or take.
Best Match-day Squad
1. Holmes
2. Hardman
3. Edwards
4. Horwill (c)
5. Humphries
6. McMeniman
7. Braid
8. Houston
9. Lucas
10. Barnes
11. Ioane
12. Cooper
13. Turinui
14. Hynes
15. Davies
16. Faingaa
17. Weeks
18. Taylor
19. Luafutu
20. Genia
21. Fetoai
22. Connor
Tags: 2009, ben lucas, berrick barnes, digby ioane, ezra taylor, fight, hugh mcmeniman, james horwill, mark mclinden, match preview, peter hynes, phil mooney, QRU, quade cooper, queensland reds, scott higginbotham, Super 14, will genia
I think the reds will play Barnes in 12 and Quade in 10.
I dont rate the reds coach at all.
I hope they prove me wrong, but this side looks a bit soft up front. They will play running rugby though, they must, could be good to watch if they turn it on.
Great post Juan.
If Cooper can keep progressing from the tour and Turinui recapture the form he had at the end of last season, that could be a very interesting backline indeed.
The front five seems frighteningly thin across all Aussie S14 teams this year.
I thought similar things two seasons ago. So I appreciate your sentiments but am once-bitten twice-shy!
Why aren’t more of our furriners props?
“only two Props and one Hooker who are up to Super 14 standard”? Keep a close eye on Lawrie Weeks, who will emerge as the best scrummaging prop in Australian rugby. He tore Sekope Kepu apart in last year’s Sydney Premiership Grand Final. In the absence of injury, he will make the Wallabies squad by year-end. Remember, you read it here first.
Bruce Ross’s last blog post..Daniel Vickerman rates MyoQuip strength machines as "absolutely fantastic"
I hope you’re right about Weeks, Bruiser, as we are sadly lacking in front-rowers.
I know that Trevor Woodman, the Uni forward coach and former English prop, reckoned he was the best prop going around in Sydney so lets hope that translates to the next level.
Thanks for the scouting report….
The other two in the 2008 Sydney Uni front row will also make their mark. The loose head, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, is prodigiously strong and scored twelve tries in the Club competition, while the hooker, Nathan Charles, was only in his second year out of school. Both have spent the off-season training with the Brumbies.
Bruce Ross’s last blog post..Daniel Vickerman rates MyoQuip strength machines as "absolutely fantastic"