I'm sad but happy about it. I am happy that CFS might go on and get a whole lot better, but sad because he is still one of my favourite players.
But agree with Hugh Jarse. Its fucked to think that the top level of QLD rugby is actually the worst for player growth. CFS is a prime example because he just bypassed QPR and went straight into Reds. He was never nurtured in premier or nrc and had to hit it with the big dogs straight out of school. You'd think in the three or four years he has been in a professional set up his skill set would have improved dramatically but it hasn't really changed from when he was a 17 year old. There is something very wrong about that.
There is something totally rotten in the QLD S&C set-up and the rumours of trouble between S&C and head coach. This is the issue that has to be fixed whether RG survives or not.
Look at the Waratahs. They have lost Sam Lousi for the season and I'm really disappointed about that because his play this year oozed potential. And that's it - one squad member. We've lost a couple of the reserves for a week or two I think. Last year Dennis was crocked for the finals, Palu missed a couple of games and I think Chapman was out for a while early in the season. Now compare that with the Reds: if you think that's just dumb luck you need to do a course in statistics. The chances that the injury results are from one population and the Reds S&C is just as good as the Tahs must be one in a few millions.
If CFS comes to Sydney, I'll bet my house he will be conditioned properly and will be available all season, just like Horne, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Folau and company are. The Reds need to get this right because you can't lose a third or more of your squad to injury every season and still hope to perform.
