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Reds 2021

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Rodda left on his own terms and for his own reasons , which he was entitled to do due to a global pandemic causing his “employers “ to ask for a change to his and every other Super Rugby players’ contract.

It was his get out of jail free card and he walked leaving behind team mates who didn’t. It’s way too soon for his JOC (James O'Connor) like “prodigal son “ return . Needs to earn that back if he wants it , would be disrespectful to those who stayed.

Jumping ship mid-pandemic when everyone in his team, his sport and his country were copping shit was a proper fluffybunny-job.
 

barbarian

Phil Kearns (64)
Staff member
And it wasn't just the decision to jump ship, but the way it was handled. They hid behind their manager, anonymous leaks to the media, never fronted up and explained themselves to the public.

Rodda had secured a Wallaby jersey, the pinnacle for all players in this country. To walk away from that in the way that he did leaves a very sour taste in my mouth.
 

Zero_Cool

Arch Winning (36)
To my mind it wasn't that he left, it wasn't even when he left. But HOW he left. He just left, mid season etc just when Rugby probably needed him most. It would have been another thing if he said the Reds have repudiated his contract, but he'll sign a short term contract to fill the gap before leaving. Obviously as others have pointed out a lot of it, and particularly the scummy skulduggery was largely at the feet (and in keeping to form) of his manager.
But in my opinion the bottom line is he left his team in the lurch, maybe his team let him down first by overlooking him for the captaincy, perhaps they ought to have ensured he didn't need to take a pay cut (although he's doing it now so that tells you about the necessity of the cut). But the only thing that really matters, he let his team down (both the Reds and the Wallabies). I know the few contacts I have at the QRU have said that group won't be welcomed back -- not any time soon at least.
 

Ignoto

John Thornett (49)
Putting I'll feelings aside, did he actually come out of the situation that much better off financially? It sounds like he got 6-8 months of a higher contract in France but is now coming back to less money than he was on with the Reds and even less than what a new contract would have gotten him.

It's one thing to be paid with what your worth, but in this instance if I was Rodda, I'd be questioning if after my manager took his cut on my two new contracts, whether that extra couple of hundred grand was worth sacrificing my integrity.

Rodda did what he thought was best, but Queensland has moved on. I hope RA uses the money on bringing the Arnold twins back instead.
 

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
Do you take all the reports in the media as fact?
Always case by case, but steadfastly naive to brush away in this instance. It would mean the Chiefs CEO Mike Collins' direct quote was a lie.

"James approached us and we were keen to sign him but at the end of the day we couldn't get it across the line."

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/su...y-aotearoa-season/2DSED47W6L63HVOEBLRD6LAAGY/

He never came out and said this so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I doubt Thorn would promote him to captain if that was actually the case.
If Thorn really needed him onboard with the program, that's exactly why he'd be promoted.
 

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
Always case by case, but steadfastly naive to brush away in this instance. It would mean the Chiefs CEO Mike Collins' direct quote was a lie.

"James approached us and we were keen to sign him but at the end of the day we couldn't get it across the line."

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/su...y-aotearoa-season/2DSED47W6L63HVOEBLRD6LAAGY/


If Thorn really needed him onboard with the program, that's exactly why he'd be promoted.

Fair enough, hadn't seen that article.
 

TSR

Mark Ella (57)
I think it’s more about balance of the bench. Hegarty & Flook cover numbers 10 - 15 better than Stewart & Hegarty or Stewart & Flook.

And it may be, and probably is, that this is what Thorn see’s as his best side - but rotating guys out of the 23 doesn’t necessarily mean he’s undervaluing them. Pretty much everyone had Wilson has been rested at some point through rotation from memory.

But at the end of the day it was always likely either Campbell or Stewart were going to miss the starting line up at some point.
 

dru

Tim Horan (67)
You do realise it’s not a marketing ploy? Worth reading the story behind the design.

Reg, mate you've been a bit stroppy lately. You OK?

There are interesting stories behind many, many, artworks that I find boring. Right now this jersey features on that list. I've no interest in thoughts of "marketing ploy", one way or another. I was actually quite excited that a new indigenous jersey was out as they are usually brilliant. I repeat my statement - could they have offered a more boring indigenous jersey?
 

Sully

Tim Horan (67)
Staff member
Rodda, Hockings and Lucas left at uncertain times in the World with COVID having a massive financial impact on Australian rugby and its future. Yet we have JOC (James O'Connor) wanting to leave a few months ago and piss off to NZ, but contractually wasn’t released and then we promote him to captain. Work that one out! I guess Thorn’s statement that “we only want people here who want to be here” was binned.
I’d take Rodda back in a heartbeat.

'Whatism' is the worst kind of argument out there. My guy was a dick but what about this totally unrelated thing that somehow makes the shit thing my guy did okay? No, I'm not falling for it.
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
Reg, mate you've been a bit stroppy lately. You OK?

There are interesting stories behind many, many, artworks that I find boring. Right now this jersey features on that list. I've no interest in thoughts of "marketing ploy", one way or another. I was actually quite excited that a new indigenous jersey was out as they are usually brilliant. I repeat my statement - could they have offered a more boring indigenous jersey?

I think that is a horrendously offensive, naive and self-entitled perspective.

The St.George Queensland Reds have proudly unveiled their 2021 Indigenous jersey ahead of Saturday night’s inaugural Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU First Nations Round against the Brumbies in Canberra.

Following the squad’s successful Reds to Regions tour and Reds in your Club visits which centered on connection with the Queensland community, the design for this year’s Indigenous jersey has the same focus.

Created by QRU Future Indigenous Leaders Program (FILP) student Delphine Cecil, the amazing artwork was inspired when she moved away from Woorabinda in central Queensland to attend boarding school in Yeppoon.

Painted in one-sitting, Delphine used memories of the stars and the rugged Australian landscape to maintain her strong connection with her hometown. 



“It’s all about connection to the land and the stars. For me it always brings me back here to Woorabinda,” said Ms. Cecil.

QRU Indigenous Program Ambassador Moses Sorovi said: “It means a lot this jersey. It’s an honour to represent all Indigenous people across this great country of ours.

“Delphine’s artwork is really special. I like the design and what it means – the connection between the land, the sky and the people who call it home.

“As players we always look forward to seeing the design each year created by one of the QRU’s FILP students and it’s cool how Dynasty can then incorporate that into a jersey,” said Sorovi.

Inspired by Delphine’s story, Dynasty Sport have created a garment designed to represent this connection to home with the same high specifications and finish that Queensland Rugby fans have come to expect from Dynasty Sport.

Dynasty Sport Managing Director Tyler Rakich said: “Delphine’s artwork stood out this year and we are pleased to feature her design on this season’s Indigenous Jersey.

“We know there’s a sense of pride and acknowledgment that comes with wearing the Jersey and the Future Indigenous Leaders Program has been a fantastic Indigenous initiative from the QRU, assisting students in the Cherbourg and Woorabinda communities,” said Mr. Rakich.

The 2021 Queensland Reds Indigenous Jersey will be worn during Saturday night’s inaugural Super Rugby AU First Nations Round against the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

It will also be worn again later this year for the 10th annual QRU Indigenous Round against the Auckland-based Blues side on 4 June during Round 4 of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition.
 
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