QLD Reds 2010

[Biffo]

McKenzie played 10man rugby based on the players he had to play with

Anyway, i guess one thing to look forward to next year is the added maturity of players like Quade Cooper, by all accounts he has really pulled his head in, in training and his 'social' behaviour. In saying that there are still a few players in the Reds squad who are in for a real shock, a few players gorging on McDonalds and not prepared to put in the effort. Its going to be interesting to see how Link reacts to some of there 'physiques' when they return from the off season.

Yeah, Link gets another crack at Leroy :lmao:

 

[TOCC]

actually, i forgot to mention that one thing that does concern me about quade, i believe his contract is up for renewal at the end of 2010. He has become very good friends with Pocock and O'Connor, they have been seen all over the country and visiting other locations together(outside of wallaby commitments).j

I think we may find the Western Force persue him very hard in 2010

 

[waratahjesus]

if queensland gets its shit together i think alot of players will probably be keen to get back there though. JOC (James O'Connor) and Pocock are on two year deals i think, so it might mean that 2012 is the year the reds pick up, both barnes and rocky have signed one year contracts with 1 year options so they could both be back by the end of next year.

even as a tahs fan, i hope this is the reds turning the corner and coming back, would be great to have matches with two competitive state teams that matter!

 

[Biffo]

both barnes and rocky have signed one year contracts with 1 year options so they could both be back by the end of next year.

Stretching things a bit to call Rocky as going "back" to the Reds :huxley When did he play any senior rugby in Queensland?

 

[Lindommer]

Stretching things a bit to call Rocky as going "back" to the Reds :huxley When did he play any senior rugby in Queensland?

Yeah, and he was born in Melbourne. His only senior rugby's been for Randwick, the Tahs, Australia and Leinster.

 

[Biffo]

Stretching things a bit to call Rocky as going "back" to the Reds :huxley When did he play any senior rugby in Queensland?

Yeah, and he was born in Melbourne. His only senior rugby's been for Randwick, the Tahs, Australia and Leinster.

Yep ... and Link might go back to Melbourne :yay

 

[TOCC]

its no lie that australian rugby needs QLD to be strong for the game in Australia to be strong..

QLD vs NSW used to be the biggest non-test match event on the calender, now admittedly from a NSW perspective i imagine it would rate only slightly higher then the Cheetahs. Even from a QLD perspective, the realisation that QLD will probably lose is enough to put you off watching it. As a QLDer it makes me feel sick to watch any QLD side lose to a NSW side.

Now it may be to early to predict a new dawn since the blood stained sunset is still vividly clear, but QLD has gutted the coaching and managment roles and in my opinion installed people who have the right credentials to take QLD forward. Losing Barnes whilst extremely painful could turn out to be a defining event in Reds history, will the 29th Jul 2009 be acknowledged as the day which made QLD wake up and realise its time to get serious?

Phil Mooney should be acknowledged for the work he did in developing the players at the Reds, he developed a level of maturity which wasnt there before, he built a solid core of players all whilst in the face of adversity and without much support. In saying that, Phil Mooney's 'nice guy approach' might be suited to the 18 and 19yr olds that littlered the Reds squad 2 years ago, but i think it requires a more hard nosed approach from Ewen McKenzie to now take these players to the next level.

 

[waratahjesus]

calm down fellas, i just meant "back" as in relation to the fact he was going to play for them until they fucked it up, poor choice of words and i apologise! when he came back to australia he wanted to live in qld were his girlfriend is from, so it isnt to far a strech to think he may reconsider it.

agree with you totally TOCC, the big feud for nsw the last few years has been with the crusaders, would love to see the nsw v qld game again become a sell out must see, it can only be good for the game.

 

[TOCC]

Well another bonus is that it hadnt been confirmed where Paul Alo-Emile was going to play in 2010, i know that the other 3 provinces were chasing him very hard, so its good to see him remain in QLD, i think he is a star of the future.

IMO QLD have signed the three of the best players in the current Australian Schoolboys crop, with Kimami Sitauti, Liam Gill and Paul Alo-Emile.

 

[barbarian]

Well another bonus is that it hadnt been confirmed where Paul Alo-Emile was going to play in 2010, i know that the other 3 provinces were chasing him very hard, so its good to see him remain in QLD, i think he is a star of the future.

IMO QLD have signed the three of the best players in the current Australian Schoolboys crop, with Kimami Sitauti, Liam Gill and Paul Alo-Emile.

They always do well with signing schoolboys- they have a bloody great swag of them playing S14 rugby year in year out. It's experience they need. Although this result is far better than them going interstate I suppose.

 

[RugbyReg]

Leo Williams has passed away. A fantastic servant to the game, locally, nationally and internationally.

Vale Leo Williams
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Respected former Australian and World Cup Rugby administrator Leo Williams AO, has passed away in Brisbane at the age of 68.

A former QRU President and ARU Chairman, Mr Williams was also Chairman of Rugby World Cup Ltd from 1995 to 2000.

A former Queensland rugby representative (1962-1965) and team manager (1971-1972), Leo Williams followed in the footsteps of the late Joe French as President of the Queensland Rugby Union from 1988 to 1995, one of the QRU’s most successful periods.

He was elected to the ARU Board in 1993 as Deputy Chairman, and went on to become Chairman from 1994 to 1996.

He also held administrative and coaching positions at the University Club in Queensland, and is well known for his close affinity and rapport with the players and officials he worked with at the national, state and club level of the game.

Mr Williams was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) in the 1999 Australia Day honours for his service to Rugby Union, the law and the community.

In July 2007 Mr Williams received the Joe French Award for outstanding service to the Australian Rugby Union.

QRU President David Crombie, a former team-mate of Mr Williams, said the world of rugby would be poorer for his passing.

“Leo had a great vision for what rugby could achieve on the world stage. On behalf of the broader rugby family, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to his family.”

Former Queensland and Wallaby player, now QRU Chairman Rod McCall said: “Leo was a wonderful mentor and friend and his passion for the game and his words of wisdom will be sorely missed.”

John O’Neill, CEO and Managing Director of the ARU, who worked closely with Mr Williams during his time as ARU Chairman said: “Leo contributed a great amount to our game at both national and international level.”

“He will always be remembered as being in the Chair at the Australian Rugby Union at the time of the historic creation of SANZAR, and with Louis Luyt (South Africa) and Richie Guy (New Zealand) was one of the three signatories to the broadcasting contract with News Limited, which heralded the move of Rugby into the professional era.”

“He then went on and chaired Rugby World Cup 1999 to its success in Wales, and further helped to establish the event as one of the five major sporting events on the global sporting calendar.”

“As well as that, through his work both with the Wallabies and Queensland Reds, he played a key role in the development of many players who enjoyed prominent Test careers.”

“He was a passionate and dedicated servant of the game. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with his wife Nancye and his family.”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

 

[RugbyReg]

... and we have a CEO.

A senior executive with a background in the media, lifestyle and entertainment and major sports industries has been selected as Queensland Rugby's new Chief Executive.

Jim Carmichael, 49, is currently the Head of New Business and Enterprise at the Australian Football League in Melbourne. Prior to that he was Director of Major Projects, focusing on the AFL's 150 Years Anniversary Celebrations leading up to, and during, 2008.

Announcing the appointment, QRU Chairman Rod McCall said the Board had selected Mr Carmichael following a thorough recruitment process.

“We were fortunate to have had a large number of high quality candidates to consider. Jim stood out for us because he has a unique blend of outstanding business skills as well as a comprehensive understanding of how top level sport operates.”

“Jim comes to Queensland Rugby from a senior role at the AFL, a sport renowned for its innovative approach to the promotion and growth of their game. Jim has played a major role there and brings to rugby a passion to apply his skills to our code.”

In his career as a senior executive, board member and executive management consultant Mr Carmichael has worked with a range of private and publicly listed start-up and established organisations with turnovers ranging from $10 million to $100 million per annum.

His current role with the AFL has been to develop major strategic initiatives to generate sustainable growth, profit and brand value for the AFL, state league bodies and the AFL clubs.

Prior to joining the AFL, Mr Carmichael ran the Paragon Development Group, an executive management consultancy that focused on specific projects including sponsorship, video production and licensing deals and consulting CEO roles.

Mr Carmichael said the opportunity to help shape the future of the game in Queensland was what drew him to the role, but he was also aware of the challenges involved and of managing the expectations of the game's followers.

"The key for me is that all stakeholders and fans have to have great expectations for what's ahead of us - what the future's looking like. I see that as imperative for being able to consolidate the growth of rugby in Queensland. There won't be any overnight miracles but there will be a clear pathway that will lead to success."

Mr Carmichael said he was the first to admit that he had not grown up with rugby and was looking forward to learning more about the game.

"Coming from a rival sport I did spend a lot of time studying rugby and found much to admire in the ethos and tradition, along with the obvious passion of the rugby family for the sport they love," he said.

"I look forward to learning more about what makes the game and its fans tick and to bringing my experience to bear on the development, marketing and administration of the game in Queensland."

Mr Carmichael will take up his new role on November 2.

He replaces outgoing CEO Ken Freer, who resigned at the end of July after three years in the role.

Mr McCall said now that a replacement had been found, the Board had agreed with Mr Freer that he could bring forward his previously announced resignation date of October 31 with immediate effect. Mr McCall said he would assume CEO responsibilities pending Mr Carmichael’s arrival.

from outside the rugby world, which aint a bad thing. Comes from the AFL which could be a very good thing.

 

[TOCC]

i think the appointment of Carmichael is a very good thing, for once a position within the QRU comes without any baggage, no old school links or questionable motives, he is purely there for his ability as a sports administrator.

He will be able to make decisions without the influence of others withing the rugby community, this is a good step forward for the Reds.

McKenzie has made his first appointment. He has wooed Damian Marsh, the long-time strength and conditioning boss at the ACT Brumbies to the Reds for 2010. He will replace Dirk Spits, who won acclaim from Chris Latham for his work in rebuilding the champion fullback after major knee surgery in time for the 2007 World Cup.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26215635-5003411,00.html

Whilst Dirk Spits may have been better on the rehabiliation side of things, he wasnt very good at the fitness and conditioning side of things.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Would it not have been a nice gesture to have held over the announcement of a new administrator until Monday given that Leo Williams died yesterday?

It's called style.

 

[waratahjesus]

its a worrying thing as a nsw fan, as i would suspect a brumbies or force fan would agree, with a new team in 2011 and with queensland finally seeming to be putting a decent team off the paddock together, next seasons player market is going to be very interesting.

agree with tocc, good to see them getting baggage free guys in, hopefully it continues.

 

[Sully]

I'm just happy to have someone in the role Bruce and yes it would have been nice to wait. But I think Rod McCall is trying to steady the ship and thought this was more important

 

[Bruce Ross]

Yes, Sully, it's only a minor point. Let's hope that all the upheaval yields positive results. Australian rugby needs a strong Queensland.

 

[Lindommer]

The QRU have appointed a professional sports administrator from elsewhere. Unbelievable!

I wish him well.

 

[TOCC]

Would it not have been a nice gesture to have held over the announcement of a new administrator until Monday given that Leo Williams died yesterday?

It's called style.

no disrespect to Leo Williams, but i dont think he would have been dissapointed or angry at all that a new Chief Executive was announced the day after he died, after all i think we would find the QRU had already called a press conference and it would have been unfair on the attending press to tell them to come back on monday.

 

[fatprop]

Reds come knocking but Wallaby Dave Dennis keeping club options open

By Samantha Broun
October 22, 2009

Wallabies bolter Dave Dennis admits he doesn't know where he'll play Super rugby next year and, right now, he's not concerned about it.
Dennis, who has just one Super 14 match to his name and has had two knee reconstructions since that game for the Waratahs in 2007, was plucked from club rugby to join the Wallabies on their upcoming tour of Japan and Europe after injury cut down the tall timber within the squad.

Coach Robbie Deans rewarded the flanker-turned-lock for a superb season with NSW club premiers Sydney University with a berth in the tour squad.

But his standout season hasn't yet been enough to prompt the Waratahs to extend the 25-year-old a Super 14 contract.

Dennis said he has been in talks with new Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie, who signed him at the Waratahs in 2007.

“I've met with Ewen about heading up north, obviously still talking with NSW as well,'' Dennis said.

“There's an interest there and (McKenzie's) looking to change a few things up north, looking to get some guys up there to contribute in terms of the way he wants to go and move forward.

“Maybe he sees myself in the frame there, it was just sort of a process to see if I would be interested.

“The next month's my focus, where I play next year is probably not my priority at the moment.

“Hopefully I can sort something out when I get home before Christmas.''

Deans was sure Dennis would be snapped up by a Super 14 franchise, stating he didn't want another talent lost overseas.

“He's going to come out of this tour with a great experience under his belt, he'll be better for it and it would be a shame for that experience to be lost (overseas),'' Deans said.

“I'd be surprised if that happened.''

Dennis refuted speculation the Waratahs were waiting to see how he performed on tour before re-signing him and said he might even consider options overseas.

“They're not saying to me that they can't commit to me until after the tour, it's just that they've got a few things to work out,'' Dennis said.

Deans gave the rookie his vote of confidence ahead of the tour which kicks off against New Zealand in Tokyo on October 31.

“He's just taken to it and he looks like he belongs, as has Mitch Chapman, they've just fitted in there, they're good blokes and I expect those guys to do well,'' Deans said.

“He seized on the opportunity that was there. Obviously we've had a lot of injuries in that position but he presented himself well and he earned the right and it was culminating in the trial game we had.

“He showed that he's more than capable pulling it at this level, he's got nothing to be afraid of.''

AAP