Reds 2014

[Sully]

Squad size is 30.

 

[Hawko]

Squad size is 30.

There is some talk on another thread that it has been increased to 32 to cover for the extra prop required and one other. But I have not seen any official confirmation of this anywhere.

Last year, when injuries were endemic at the Tahs, they used something like 38 players in a season that they didn't make the finals. I think it is madness having a 30 man squad considering the attrition rate in Super rugby I hope that the squads have been increased and we just haven't heard officially yet.

 

[Ruggo]

Signing Lote would an absolute waste of coin. Hasn't the Reds already been down the path of signing League has beens?

Not at all. Some of the lower profile league converts have given great service to the Reds. The problem is that it has been at the back end of their careers. Schiftkoski (sorry about the spelling) and McKlindon gave very good value to the Reds.

Sailor couldn't be considered a has been. He was the first convert and at his prime when signed.

 

[Ruggo]

Jake Shatz got the Pilecki Medal, bit of a surprise over Gilly and Slipper, but deserved nevertheless, under rated player.

Curtis Browning got rookie, Jarrad Butler got Spirirt of Reds, Liam Gill got people's player of the year.

Surprised Ben Daley re-signed. He will be stuck for opportunities behind Holmes and Anae at loose head you'd think.

I will be very interested to see how Ben goes under the new scrum laws.

Those award choices are good. Congratulations to the winners.

 

[emuarse]

In breaking news Wendall Sailor is moving to Japan to start playing again

For Coke as well?

 

[emuarse]

The Reds look a bit like a mid-table squad for next year. That forward pack looks light on, IMO.

In the backs, players like Ioane and Morahan are departing and (so far) only rookies arriving... Turner is a possible signing who appears unwanted by the Waratahs...

Some of the younger players are going to have to step it up if they are to have a hope of making the top six.

I can't believe your perception re a 'mid-table squad'.
When you have, starting at the front row, the current Wallaby loose head prop & the current reserve wallaby hooker.
The locks are the Wallaby locks (and captain).
The No 8 Schatz wins the Reds player's player award, and Quirk's massive improvement in 2013. Also The Australian U20 captain in Curtis Browning.
You then have Ginea & Cooper, with Anthony Fainga'a, and probably Chris Feauai-Sautia as centres, plus rocket Rod Davies & Dom Shipperley on the wings.
Man-oh-man, Kiap, I'd love to know what your definition of a top-table squad is?

 

[fatprop]

I can't believe your perception re a 'mid-table squad'.
When you have, starting at the front row, the current Wallaby loose head prop & the current reserve wallaby hooker.
The locks are the Wallaby locks (and captain).
The No 8 Schatz wins the Reds player's player award, and Quirk's massive improvement in 2013. Also The Australian U20 captain in Curtis Browning.
You then have Ginea & Cooper, with Anthony Fainga'a, and probably Chris Feauai-Sautia as centres, plus rocket Rod Davies & Dom Shipperley on the wings.
Man-oh-man, Kiap, I'd love to know what your definition of a top-table squad is?

I think that starting side is fine, depth is the issue.

Sent from a tiny evil keyboard

 

[kiap]

I can't believe your perception re a 'mid-table squad'.
When you have, starting at the front row, the current Wallaby loose head prop & the current reserve wallaby hooker.
The locks are the Wallaby locks (and captain).
The No 8 Schatz wins the Reds player's player award, and Quirk's massive improvement in 2013. Also The Australian U20 captain in Curtis Browning.
You then have Ginea & Cooper, with Anthony Fainga'a, and probably Chris Feauai-Sautia as centres, plus rocket Rod Davies & Dom Shipperley on the wings.
Man-oh-man, Kiap, I'd love to know what your definition of a top-table squad is?

I'd like to be wrong, believe me. And that's not saying the players you've named aren't capable of playing good rugby.

But I get the feeling the Reds may be behind the Brumbies and Tahs in overall strength of their squads. If the Reds finish behind those two teams in the Australian conference next year, then they'll likely miss the playoffs and be placed seventh or eighth. That's mid-table.

To avoid that, some of those younger players you mentioned need to step up and convert potential into results good enough to roll those teams over the full season. That includes Shipperley, Schatz (yes, even him), Browning, and Feauai-Sautia.

 

[TOCC]

I like the look of a squad for 2014, heck at the start of 2011 ad even the week before the GF people were saying that the players were outmatched..

I think there has been a healthy turnover in some of the older players and in most cases, the younger players coming through are up to the task of replacing those who have retired or left.

The Reds forwards need a little bit more steel in 2014, given it was the youngest forward pack in Australia with an average age of 21 in the back-row, i can only see room for improvement.

In terms of the back-line, the Reds haven't started a season since 2011 with their preferred halve partnership, in 2012 QC (Quade Cooper) was injured and 2013 Genia was injured. I think their is sufficient talent in the backline, just need front foot ball from the forwards.

 

[emuarse]

I'd like to be wrong, believe me. And that's not saying the players you've named aren't capable of playing good rugby.

But I get the feeling the Reds may be behind the Brumbies and Tahs in overall strength of their squads. If the Reds finish behind those two teams in the Australian conference next year, then they'll likely miss the playoffs and be placed seventh or eighth. That's mid-table.

To avoid that, some of those younger players you mentioned need to step up and convert potential into results good enough to roll those teams over the full season. That includes Shipperley, Schatz (yes, even him), Browning, and Feauai-Sautia.

I actually left out Gill before, but I'm throwing him in now as my wild card .
As he gets older, he's only going to get better. He's only just out of nappies.

My anxiety is not the players, but the ability of the coaching staff. Without McKenzie and Mackay who are with the Wallabies now, the Reds need to perform in that area. Only time will tell.
Does anyone know who the assistant coaches are for 2014?

 

[kiap]

I actually left out Gill before, but I'm throwing him in now as my wild card .
As he gets older, he's only going to get better. He's only just out of nappies.

My anxiety is not the players, but the ability of the coaching staff. Without McKenzie and Mackay who are with the Wallabies now, the Reds need to perform in that area. Only time will tell.
Does anyone know who the assistant coaches are for 2014?

Good wildcard.

Departures since the peak of 2011 including Higgers, Samo, Ioane, ..... McKenzie, have still left some big shoes to fill IMO.

For next year, obviously Nick Stiles has been announced as the forwards coach. Dunno much more than that. Wouldn't mind seeing Steve Meehan getting a gig on attack, although maybe Graham sees that as his area.

 

[redstragic]

Good wildcard.

Departures since the peak of 2011 including Higgers, Samo, Ioane, ...

Chambers for mine has been our biggest loss in the last few years. He is massive at the storm. We rwally need a big 13.

 

[SouthernX]

There's some good talent in this team.

I just dont have a lot of faith in the coach! I believe we will miss the playoffs this upcoming season. It's nothing more then a prediction. Dont hate.

 

[Scrubber2050]

To me it will be interesting to see hoe RG "gels" with the team. Make no illusion this is a team and I just hope he embraces what he already has and does not try and alter too much too soon.

Suppose the proof will be in the pudding

 

[Beer Baron]

Not at all. Some of the lower profile league converts have given great service to the Reds. The problem is that it has been at the back end of their careers. Schiftkoski (sorry about the spelling) and McKlindon gave very good value to the Reds.

Sailor couldn't be considered a has been. He was the first convert and at his prime when signed.

Yes agree with those two.. I had Tuirinui (spelling) and Walker in mind. But even the two above were only around for a year or two.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Tuirinui wasn't a league convert. He came from the NSW Waratahs.

 

[Braveheart81]

I really think Timana Tahu is the only absolute dud league convert rugby has had in the last 15 years.

Everyone else has been somewhere between reasonable and excellent. The reasonable ones have tended to have only been reasonable players in league as well.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

I really think Timana Tahu is the only absolute dud league convert rugby has had in the last 15 years.

Everyone else has been somewhere between reasonable and excellent. The reasonable ones have tended to have only been reasonable players in league as well.

What about Ryan McGoldrick? He was worse than Tahu.

 

[Braveheart81]

What about Ryan McGoldrick? He was worse than Tahu.

Yes, but he also came to rugby with no real rugby league success behind him.

He'd played a handful of games in his first season in the NRL and then was a dud for the Waratahs (and I think only played 2 Super Rugby games).

 

[Bowside]

I think Josh Hoffman would be a worthy buy on a 2 year contract. If it doesnt work out Toua or Tuilagi will hopefully step up, and Placid is on the way through as well.