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Reds 2015

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Teh Other Dave

Alan Cameron (40)
Ed O'Donoghue is 33 next year.

Our biggest hole is in 4-8, we really struggled there in 2014. Losing Horwill would sting, but maybe would force Simmo to step up. No good having a razzle-dazzle backline but no poke in the engine room.
 

Ruggo

Mark Ella (57)
I was browsing through an article on Brad Thorn http://mobile.news.com.au/sport/rug...-and-finish-line/story-fndpt9s1-1227102239470 and then this line smacked me between the eyes:

Thorn offered his services to the Queensland Reds for 2015 but with their lock positions already filled, talks broke down.

Words fail me. Given a choice of Eddie O'd coming off the bench or Brad Thorn, not even RG should have had difficulty making that decision.


I'm not anti Ed but shit Thorn would have been totally reliable off the bench at a pinch but shit I would have employed him onto the support staff. His mentoring capability and knowledge of strength and conditioning would be a massive asset. Would being employed onto the support staff rather than as a player dodged the marquee player rule. Plus we haven't had one in a few years so surely we should have some credit in the bank. :)
 

hammertimethere

Trevor Allan (34)
Reds still in the fight for Horwill after 2015 according to fox sports

Conflicting reports...I wonder if this isn't one of those new fangled flexible deals I.e commit 3 years, get one OS sojourn with no penalty in terms of potential Wobs selection.

Would be a classy way for a 29 yr old James to finish a classy career. If he can keep going at 32 he's go to Japan for some pension.
 
K

KAOPointman

Guest
Seeing as the REDS are the most important team in aus rugby...lol. I'm sure the aru will help keep horwill! Lol
 

Scrubber2050

Mark Ella (57)
Horwill first Genia second - something about smoke and fire

I think I mentioned same some time ago. and copped some stick.

I just hope both James and Will play their hearts out for the Reds in 2015 and son't go into "cruise control" knowing they will both be playing overseas the year after. They should both from a Reds perspective and to be in the RWC team.
 
T

Train Without a Station

Guest
Scrubber, the stick you copped wasn't for suggesting the notion. It was because you implied Horwill would be looking to set up a retirement fund.

Many simply were pointing out that James is from a quite wealthy family and likely would not be doing this solely from financial motivation.
 

Scrubber2050

Mark Ella (57)
Well USA - these are 2 of our biggest 3 signings ( other being QC (Quade Cooper)). Probably Simmo and Slipper are up near the top as well.

This time you can feel the heat emanating from the fire still masked by the smoke.

Frusby will get up this morning reinvigorated, I reckon.

If they both go, at least Carmichael has plenty of time to look around the playing stocks.
 

Scrubber2050

Mark Ella (57)
Scrubber, the stick you copped wasn't for suggesting the notion. It was because you implied Horwill would be looking to set up a retirement fund.

Many simply were pointing out that James is from a quite wealthy family and likely would not be doing this solely from financial motivation.

Train - I knew you leave the Station early this morning.

I know Horwill is from wealthy stock and money was never really going to be the motivator. Lifestyle and possibly re-igniting his career were more important to the bloke than chasing $$$$$
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
This article talks McDuling and his form during the NRC but I put it for its relevance for next year.

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rug...107396974?nk=59ce9f900447dd0248b07149f2e584e5

Check out those stats!

No lock in the NRC has made more metres (392), carried the ball as often (93) or charged over the gain-line as many times (45) as McDuling to go with effective tackling and general workrate.

His recent workrate of 27 ball-carries for 114m against the Greater Sydney Rams more resembled the huge stats read out of an NFL running back than a rugby lock.
 

Godfrey

Phil Hardcastle (33)
Hearing great things about his fitness, which explains those stats. My fond memories of him playing for Reds A in 2011 still have a little warmth in them - I'd love to see him kick on next year.
 

liquor box

Greg Davis (50)
Im starting to warm to the idea of Hunt in Rugby (maybe not for the Reds) but I was just thinking this morning, he was better at League then Izzy, better at AFL then Izzy, will he be better then Izzy at Union .. Hmmm
I think he will be, but not if tries are the only way of judging a player.

I don't see him outscoring Israel in tries but do think he will be a better rugby player.
 

Ruggo

Mark Ella (57)
Hunt has the attributes that can really compliment the Reds. He is a tough bastard and always good for beating the first defender. He has good linking skills and a good all round defender. He will shine I think. I think the Reds have recruited bloody well in the backs. Our players all look good to compliment the rest of the back line.
 

Ash

Michael Lynagh (62)
I think that McDuling has been the pick of the locks in the NRC for me. He beat plenty of first up tackles to go with those stats, as well.

The only slightly down thing for McDuling has been the lineout, where City have really struggled at times, the rest of his game has been outstanding.
 

USARugger

John Thornett (49)
Been really liking what McDuling has put forward as well - just need him to stay in one piece! We need the ball-carrying and tackle-smashing grunt far more than a lineout specialist right now anyway..Kev, Simmo and Stiles will turn him good at set piece.

Was watching some clips of Kerevi as well as some of the older NRC matches for City and jeeze does he ever get low when he runs. It's not just that he's powerful, his center of gravity is almost always lower than the tackler as well - he lowers his entire upper body similar to how Brian O'Driscoll did when he would run the ball.

I honestly don't have any doubts in my mind that Hunt will come good too. Proven track record in the code and just a phenomenal athlete on the field and a top bloke off the field by all accounts. Has that all-around package (physical build, ball skills, no fear/hesitation, vision, kicking, quickness, acceleration over 10m) that you just don't find very often, a couple KGs off of being Nonu without the dreadlocks.
 

Biffo

Ken Catchpole (46)
Im starting to warm to the idea of Hunt in Rugby (maybe not for the Reds) but I was just thinking this morning, he was better at League then Izzy, better at AFL then Izzy, will he be better then Izzy at Union .. Hmmm


he will.
 
T

Train Without a Station

Guest
In all fairness Reg that is very encouraging about McDuling. He'll of course start out as our 3rd choice lock in 2015 but very well may be starting come 2016.

A good indication of his game and how close he is to being ready for Super Rugby would be how he fared against the Rising.
 

Ruggo

Mark Ella (57)
I think that McDuling has been the pick of the locks in the NRC for me. He beat plenty of first up tackles to go with those stats, as well.

The only slightly down thing for McDuling has been the lineout, where City have really struggled at times, the rest of his game has been outstanding.


I haven't seen much of the NRC but what's his pace like? Does he get around good enough to play blindside? What's your view Ash.

Sounds like he would be wasted on the bench but we have a well established international locking combo.
 
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