yes, makes him eligible as with To'omua and White. And he's a big chance of the RWC apparently. His versatility is very much valued in the touring squad, particularly for those 'lesser' games.
Reds 2020
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
yes, makes him eligible as with To'omua and White. And he's a big chance of the RWC apparently. His versatility is very much valued in the touring squad, particularly for those 'lesser' games.
Finsbury Girl
Trevor Allan (34)
I'm not shooting the messenger Reg, but bugger me, that honestly is a bloody joke and so bloody disappointing. Sums up what the hell is wrong with rugby in this country. What a massive FU to guys smashing their guts out all season at home, AND to whichever young bloke is is missing out on a training contract or full contract in Brisbane next season.
Really great way to encourage young talent to stay put.
Really great way to encourage young talent to stay put.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
I think the Reds, if anything, are overdoing it on youth retention and slots. Some experience goes a long way.
My amusement remains with Thorn accepting things on the back of [/repeats self]
B
Bobby Sands
Guest
The whole 'double standards outrage' is a bit over the top for mine.
On one hand we want improved culture and at the same time we want quality footballers.
Brad Thorn is looking to address both, and he cleaned house so to speak. Slipper took that on the chin and is in career best form.
JOC (James O'Connor) comes with high praise from Sale, both on and off the field, is from QLD and I can only assume is on a fairly moderate contract.
To me it is pretty sound roster management, especially if James is in the right frame of mind to stick within the Thorn protocol.
On one hand we want improved culture and at the same time we want quality footballers.
Brad Thorn is looking to address both, and he cleaned house so to speak. Slipper took that on the chin and is in career best form.
JOC (James O'Connor) comes with high praise from Sale, both on and off the field, is from QLD and I can only assume is on a fairly moderate contract.
To me it is pretty sound roster management, especially if James is in the right frame of mind to stick within the Thorn protocol.
Tomikin
Simon Poidevin (60)
Yeah that's a bit weird, world cup i could see people (and me) disappointed, but young bloke's coming through, well if there good enough they will be there if not there's only so many places to go around. Should a guy not come back from Overseas to play super rugby, it's not like him and White lets say are that old they are 28 and could have a good 2-4 years left in them.
liquor box
Greg Davis (50)
What stats?
Pretty sure a lot of stats are available online for free to the average punter.
Is this private training stats? Seems a bit odd to me
Strewthcobber
Mark Ella (57)
Beer Baron
Phil Hardcastle (33)
But O'Connor hasn't abused Reds trust as far as I'm aware?? I must admit, I was keen as the next person to see the back of him. But his experience and versatility (at Soup Rugby level) is tres appealing. Oh please rugby gods have his head screwed on correctly.
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
But the talent isn't staying put. Heaps leaving for euro and yen post WC
Glad to see some quality players returning. Heaps of young talent in the Reds already with a huge loss of experienced heads.
I'm happy to see what JOC (James O'Connor) can bring this time.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
I would also imagine that he is personally disappointed with his last stint and wants to contribute to QLD rugby as a former prodigal son who did his best work inter state. To some (especially those from interstate) this might seem unimportant, but kids in QLD, especially schoolboy stars, want to produce for the Reds if given the chance.
emuarse
Desmond Connor (43)
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Interesting story.
I’ve already posted twice my reservations, but on the flip side people have their faults and I love a good redemption story. Sure, some people never change but some do. In one sense, he may be a great example to younger guys as a bloke who has been through the wringer of life as a prodigious talent.
Skill wise he’d definitely be an enormous asset and I really can’t think of too many other available 12s that would be in his class.
I’ve already posted twice my reservations, but on the flip side people have their faults and I love a good redemption story. Sure, some people never change but some do. In one sense, he may be a great example to younger guys as a bloke who has been through the wringer of life as a prodigious talent.
Skill wise he’d definitely be an enormous asset and I really can’t think of too many other available 12s that would be in his class.
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
I didn’t realise the cocaine incident was around the 2-3 year mark. Honestly felt like last year I remember reading about it.
I like the terminology I’ve heard from Turinuri on assessing players and making a decision on the “body of work” they’ve demonstrated. If the Sale coaches have positive things to say then I guess the time frame James has spent cleaning himself up starts to indicate that perhaps he has.
The Reds could give him a 6-12 month contract with an option of say another year or two which they can exercise this time next year. It gives them the opportunity to walk away and not pay a fortune if 2015 is repeated whilst giving James plenty of time to show the coaching and players he’s a changed man.
I like the terminology I’ve heard from Turinuri on assessing players and making a decision on the “body of work” they’ve demonstrated. If the Sale coaches have positive things to say then I guess the time frame James has spent cleaning himself up starts to indicate that perhaps he has.
The Reds could give him a 6-12 month contract with an option of say another year or two which they can exercise this time next year. It gives them the opportunity to walk away and not pay a fortune if 2015 is repeated whilst giving James plenty of time to show the coaching and players he’s a changed man.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
Not outrage, observation. Thorn made his bed with decisions that were questioned at the time and were warned as a dangerous precedence. His endorsing JOC (James O'Connor) is inconsistent and this on the whole "culture" that is meant to be high on Red/Thorn achievements.
I'm hopeful that Thorn is beginning to understand that the HC day job is not always compatible with bold statements on supposed "culture".
I'm happy for JOC (James O'Connor) and look forward to watching him in 2020.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
For the life of me I can’t see how you get there, but that’s OK. We don’t have to agree on everything Red.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
It just means all situations are different and because of that blanket interpretations rarely apply.
Even in a court of law, a precedent ruling only acts as a guide to reflect that all situations are unique.
Let’s just agree as a collective that if JOC (James O'Connor) brings his A game then its a good signing.
