Reds 2019
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
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Bobby Sands
Guest
I’m of the school of thought that the place was so shambolic, and many of the squad were drinking together midweek routinely, that a fairly substantial overhaul had to happen. Much of the reasoning for these hardline measures have not made the press. The Reds have been a rabble, and Thorn is attempting to Crusader the culture.
I find it bizarre that people are so angry at high standards, while also preaching for results.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
Are you unhappy with the term “report”, Reg? There has been ple ty of discussion. If that is invalid it is good news.
Red Andy
Frank Row (1)
Nailed it mate. How do we all wish we had sustained excellence like the Saders or the Blacks and then when the foundations of such a performance based no bullshit culture are seemingly being finally brought in after years of underperformance (yes maybe somewhat harshly in the blunt delivery to some of our long term favourites) many of us seem to have a problem with it. Its the foundation of all that is wrong with Aus rugby that we lack true accountability and a whole generation of players has avoided having to work their asses off and fight for the spot every week or else. (yeah I get Quade didn't get a chance etc etc but big picture do people actually think Thorn doesn't like him and so won't pick him, or perhaps just maybe he observed in 2017 for true sustained long term success he needed to burn it down and build it up) As a long suffering 15+ year member I'm willing to roll the dice with a guy who has lived within the big results and perform or out team environs of the Saders, Blacks and Broncos and see where we end up in a couple of years. I suspect there's a fair chance that we'll be advanced towards some version of Crusaders West, and the Qld pipeline will be feeding the high standards, perform or out beast we've all been waiting for.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
Also Jordy Petaia looks the best 13 prospect in a very long while. What do we do with Samu, as he can't pass, and therefore makes an ordinary 12.
Do we play Jordy at 15 and just accept that Samu can't pass or bring others into the game? Or do we insist that he learns to become a better cohesive rugby player and will lose his spot at 13 unless he can demonstrate the ability to make the backline a better collaborative unit rather than just an exponent of one-out brutalist rugby?
I genuinely would prefer Hamish Stewart at 10 next season to any other flyhalf in the country (other than maybe To'omua). He knows his game well, including his limitations, and he plays within them. His kicking game is Northern Hemisphere like, he tackles like a demon, and rarely makes poor choices with the ball in hand. Pretty good skill-set to me, and pretty rare in the current Australian landscape.
Look at the locks we are producing; Rodda, Tui, Hockings, Blythe. Bloody absurd. Any club in the world would take that as their tall timber.
Our backrowers are promising too. ASY (Angus Scott-Young), Wright, Timu, Wilson with the experiences Higgers to aid them. I agree another experienced player such as Gill would round this group out well. On the periphery we have some of the most gifted young loosies in the country; Gicquel, McReight, Kibble to name a few.
Front row is the same. Tupou just won player of the season and rookie of the year for that matter. BPA is a Wallaby in his rookie season. The Smith twins have been revelations. Hoopert following in the Twins path is another great Toowoomba prop, following on a continued legacy from Greg Holmes.
I can't be bothered going through all the backs, but our halfback talent is sublime. Duncan, Sautia, Daugunu, Petaia, Stewart have looked great for country. Heck, we are a 50/50 chance of winning back to back NRC comps with our fringe players, not our established "stars."
QLD rugby is in a good place, and Thorn has his fingerprints all over it.
Anyone that can't see that is from NSW as far as I'm concerned.
Do we play Jordy at 15 and just accept that Samu can't pass or bring others into the game? Or do we insist that he learns to become a better cohesive rugby player and will lose his spot at 13 unless he can demonstrate the ability to make the backline a better collaborative unit rather than just an exponent of one-out brutalist rugby?
I genuinely would prefer Hamish Stewart at 10 next season to any other flyhalf in the country (other than maybe To'omua). He knows his game well, including his limitations, and he plays within them. His kicking game is Northern Hemisphere like, he tackles like a demon, and rarely makes poor choices with the ball in hand. Pretty good skill-set to me, and pretty rare in the current Australian landscape.
Look at the locks we are producing; Rodda, Tui, Hockings, Blythe. Bloody absurd. Any club in the world would take that as their tall timber.
Our backrowers are promising too. ASY (Angus Scott-Young), Wright, Timu, Wilson with the experiences Higgers to aid them. I agree another experienced player such as Gill would round this group out well. On the periphery we have some of the most gifted young loosies in the country; Gicquel, McReight, Kibble to name a few.
Front row is the same. Tupou just won player of the season and rookie of the year for that matter. BPA is a Wallaby in his rookie season. The Smith twins have been revelations. Hoopert following in the Twins path is another great Toowoomba prop, following on a continued legacy from Greg Holmes.
I can't be bothered going through all the backs, but our halfback talent is sublime. Duncan, Sautia, Daugunu, Petaia, Stewart have looked great for country. Heck, we are a 50/50 chance of winning back to back NRC comps with our fringe players, not our established "stars."
QLD rugby is in a good place, and Thorn has his fingerprints all over it.
Anyone that can't see that is from NSW as far as I'm concerned.
The torpedo
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Yeah I couldn't remember which Smith was the loosehead so I had a guess.
When do the backs get announced?
dru
Tim Horan (67)
I have to admit that a quick google failed to come up with the particular press. I do believe it was carried in the media but wouldn’t be surprised if was highly speculative rather than coming from the horses mouth.
Reds might not be able to accomodate LFG, that’s one thing. If he is another on the Quade list of “wrong direction” it’s pretty confusing if not simply irksome.
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
But that's the issue a lot of us have with Thorns appointment and then how QRU are bowing to his every demand.
As a player, Brad achieved everything a person could want playing both Rugby Union and League. However, he's been, in my opinion, gifted coaching roles that he hasn't demonstrated enough for. He hasn't handled transitioning some of the more recent Queensland stalwarts out of the team nor has he communicated anything to the public on what he envisages.
How can you get buy in from the most important element of the organisation, the fans, without telling them where he wants to go? Why should I trust a guy who has no track record that he's going to right the ship? All I can see from the outside is, players who have won us a premiership are being discarded and treated poorly by the 'leadership' of the QRU.
no idea. Assuming QC (Quade Cooper) is announced today as a Rebel (in an hour or so) that opens it up for a listing after that.
So we have 17 forwards confirmed plus 2 to come.
We have 12 backs signed on for next year. Take it down to 11 for QC (Quade Cooper) heading south and you'd have to think Hunt will also be gone somewhere / somehow. So that makes 10 signed (for a total of 29 squad members). That 10 doesn't include Tate McDermott nor Jordan Petaia who, you'd think, are signed. So that's 12 of 31 and perhaps room for 2-4 more full time squad spots?
The breakdown we have is:
Scrumhalves - 3 (Tuttle, Sororvi and McDermott*)
Flyhalves - 1 (Stewart)
Centres - 4 (CFS, Kerevi, Paia'aua, Petaia*)
Wings - 3 (Daugunu, Perese, Eadie)
Fullbacks - 1 (Toua)
* assumed signing.
So I reckon, if we had 4 spots, we need a flyhalf and fullback as a priority. The others are probably more utility players. An inside back (covering 12) would be good.
I'd really like a Super ready fullback. Pity we couldn't snag Banks or Muirhead (or Izzy) back. Mike Harris (also a kicker), as discussed previously, would be handy but perhaps not a top flight fullback option.
We seem to do most of our recruiting from the NRC so it's likely to be the likes of Tautalatasi Tasi or Matt Gordon or perhaps Patrick James. Tasi is interesting to me but still a little raw.
Looking further afield, NRC-wise, I'd take either of the Fijian pair for 15 Waqatubu or Veitokani (both kickers too) in half a heartbeat.
Otherwise someone like Jack McGregor from the Force or perhaps Sione Tuipuluto from the Rebels who I don't think have (at least) announced his re-signing.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
I'd be looking for a wing and 15.
As you mentioned Reg, Mike Harris would be a great signing. Who knows with the top league season rearranged, could be a possibility.
Personally if Hunt could disappear from the books i'd be looking at Naivalu or Uyen from the Force.
Looking at NRC, im not sure if anyone overly stood out that isn't already signed. There was a few solid performers but nothing that demanded selection.
Not going to happen but Zack Holmes has developed in leaps and bounds in France, would be a great 10/13/15 option, and a very good kicker
As you mentioned Reg, Mike Harris would be a great signing. Who knows with the top league season rearranged, could be a possibility.
Personally if Hunt could disappear from the books i'd be looking at Naivalu or Uyen from the Force.
Looking at NRC, im not sure if anyone overly stood out that isn't already signed. There was a few solid performers but nothing that demanded selection.
Not going to happen but Zack Holmes has developed in leaps and bounds in France, would be a great 10/13/15 option, and a very good kicker
Mr Wobbly
Alan Cameron (40)
Tuipulotu is signed for 2019.
Here's my backline for next year.
9. McDermott
10. Stewart
11. Perese
12. Paia'aua
13. Kerevi
14. Daugunu
15. Petaia
21. Sorovi
22. Toua
23. CFS
Need a backup 10 definitely, Paia'aua may be able to play 10 but if we want to be a genuine chance for next year need a good replacement however no one besides Andrew Deegan comes to mind..
9. McDermott
10. Stewart
11. Perese
12. Paia'aua
13. Kerevi
14. Daugunu
15. Petaia
21. Sorovi
22. Toua
23. CFS
Need a backup 10 definitely, Paia'aua may be able to play 10 but if we want to be a genuine chance for next year need a good replacement however no one besides Andrew Deegan comes to mind..
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
I personally reckon Deegan would reckon better playing for the Force as starting 10 then bench 10 with limited minutes for reds.
That of course assumes World Series Rugby all ready to go next year.
That of course assumes World Series Rugby all ready to go next year.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
So what is happening with Hunt...surely Hunt not going to sit out a season in club rugby as definitely won't be playing for reds or other oz franchises which leaves Europe. Like to see Hunt saga resolved one way or another.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
liquor box
Greg Davis (50)
That would be great but if he proves himself then he will go overseas in a couple of years time and not return until Hooper is off contract.
This is assuming he wants to be a Wallaby.
He wont overtake Pocock and wont overtake the money RA have spent on Hooper.
liquor box
Greg Davis (50)
If that happened then it is certainly an issue but were they just dismissed by Thorn or given a chance to change?
I am all for firing people for indiscretions, they are pro footballers and need to earn their contracts but it seems that QC (Quade Cooper) has changed and I always wondered if Thorn was thinking about QC (Quade Cooper) 5 years ago when making decisions.
I have always liked the Melbourne Storm approach, it is a full time job as a footballer so you work full time hours. I believe that they work a 9-5 roster when not on game days to stop the ability to get involved in off field drama.