Reds 2014

[USARugger]

TOCC

Center has been up for grabs all season - it's been nothing short of a revolving door! I know injury plays a role in this but doesn't tell the whole story. Not a single Reds center put in an 80 minute performance that would make you say, "Yup, that's our starting inside/outside center".

I hope that this is just the result of personal/family issues for Taps that he will deal with in the off season. He seemed to be really developing into a great 12 in 2011->2012. Then he just absolutely fell off a cliff. Anyone got any insight into this?

 

[gel]

Did it coincide with when he got obliterated in a tackle about a third of the way through the season? Those sort of things can really play havoc with your confidence. He started this season on fire and then it suddenly disappeared.

 

[TOCC]

It looked as though his fitness had dropped off, at the start of last season he was incredibly fit, i think the shortened off-season this year(due to wallaby commitments) did him no favours.

 

[No4918]

I think fitness played a part in his drop but the confidence was gone as well. He was well off the pace and looked to be carrying a few extra kgs in the last 2 rounds. Beale is another guy that really needs to be on top of his fitness but he never lost the confidence last year when he was obviously underdone.

 

[Scoey]

Actually that's not a bad point. When did de Jong break smash him that time? Broke his collar bone from memory. Was that this season or last? It's all a bit of a blur!

 

[gel]

I thought he broke his collar bone last year (but I could be wrong), but I do recall a game (I think in New Zealand) where he got seriously rocked in a huge front on tackle. I think it featured in one of those highlight vids either on fox or that most excellent YouTube guy. I shall try to find it.

*edit* this is the one I was thinking of. It was in round 9.

I still remember watching it and being surprised he got up after it. He is probably still hearing bells.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Yeah Gel. Kahui in the Chiefs game. Absolutely ironed him out. Managed to get a great pass away still though.

 

[TOCC]

He broke his collarbone in 2012 in South Africa

 

[Zander]

He broke his collarbone in 2012 in South Africa

I believe it was at home against the Stormers.

 

[Troy]

I believe it was at home against the Stormers.

Sure was, tackled by De Jongh in the Reds v Stormers game at Suncorp 2012

 

[Scrubber2050]

Taps is a wonderful young man full of promise and the expectation of others.

Think he partnered up this year and maybe the regular feeds has made him a little less hungry !!!

That may be a stretch as many of these young men partner/marry and remain very dedicated and continue playing at the top level.

Hopefully he gets a big wsake up call by missing the 40, trains hard, plays well and gets his mojo back....

 

[lewisr]

Ok gonna bring it back up again, what about JOC (James O'Connor)? Latest is that talks with the force have broken down. Too much of a risk? Or could he undergo a Quade transformation? Would be good anywhere in the backline.... apart from 10!​

 

[Sully]

What is his relationship with Woody like? Is Quade happy to have him around 'all the time'?

 

[tranquility]

Taps is a wonderful young man full of promise and the expectation of others.

Think he partnered up this year and maybe the regular feeds has made him a little less hungry !!!

That may be a stretch as many of these young men partner/marry and remain very dedicated and continue playing at the top level.

Hopefully he gets a big wsake up call by missing the 40, trains hard, plays well and gets his mojo back..

Absolutely. He is a class unit, and he will bounce back in no time.

An issue Ben grapples with is his weight. He was an outstanding junior footballer, who appeared like he wasn't going to make the grade until eventually lost the weight required. Similiar to former red, and former TSS player Lloyd Johanson.

If he can keep on top of his 'extras' and work hard on his lateral movement and his left peg - he will be a very good player for the Reds and Wobs for a long while yet.

 

[Scrubber2050]

now Lloyd was a talented lad that made it and then did lose his mojo and never got it back - real shame - does anyone know what he is doing now?

 

[Scrubber2050]

Ok gonna bring it back up again, what about JOC (James O'Connor)? Latest is that talks with the force have broken down. Too much of a risk? Or could he undergo a Quade transformation? Would be good anywhere in the backline.. apart from 10!​

Think JOC (James O'Connor) has burnt a lot of bridges along his journey particularly with senior players. If Mckenzie had stayed at the Reds then I'm sure he would have been put in a box but with Rg I don't really know.

Hope the Force take him but I reckon Team O'Connor would be finding it difficult to swallow some reality

 

[TheBigDog]

My mail tells me that JOC (James O'Connor)'s move overseas is pretty much a done deal because as reported the Force were really the only team interested in acquiring his services but the negotiations haven't been going well for a few weeks now.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Well, another bridge burnt. Didn't McKenzie say something along the lines that OZ players overseas would not represent the Wallabies ????

 

[Braveheart81]

Well, another bridge burnt. Didn't McKenzie say something along the lines that OZ players overseas would not represent the Wallabies ????

If JOC (James O'Connor) can't get a contract in Australia that makes sense for him then he could go overseas for one season and then either return near the start of Super Rugby (if he went to Japan) or towards the end of Super Rugby (if he went to Europe).

Whether or not McKenzie would pick him in 2014 if he hadn't played Super Rugby is uncertain but he'd be eligible for selection once he came back and signed a contract with the ARU for the rest of 2014 and 2015.

This would seem to make the most sense for JOC (James O'Connor) if he wants to play in the 2015 RWC.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

The lad has stagnated since he has come on the scene and what was once impressive for an 18 year old is only solid/handy for a 23 year old.

JOC (James O'Connor) needs to settle on 1 position maybe 2 and just play there consistently. I think a year abroad would do him a world of good