Reds 2023

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

This has got to be the weirdest contract situation I've seen for a while - would love to know what's gone on,

Mafi announces Stewart to Rebels
Reds say Stewart is staying with Reds (apparently issued him a breach notice and fined him as well)
Rebels say nothing
Force officially sign Stewart

I wonder if the Rebels were a bit miffed by the 'unofficial' signing announcement from Mafi and things fell apart.

bigger question is "What is going on at Ballymore?"
Seems a lot of players, and some key ones as well, are disgruntled enough to be looking elsewhere.
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Scott-Young, Stewart, Mafi, Fotuaika, Tualima (?) all had a lot of $$ and effort put into them

 

[LeCheese]

Bizarre set of contract negotiations...

If Reds were telling the truth and Hamish was indeed under contract, wonder if Force offered something up in return to have him released.

Interesting that the Reds put out the 'thank you' post for Fotuaika and TTT not even an hour ago with no mention of Stewart

 

[LeCheese]

bigger question is "What is going on at Ballymore?"
Seems a lot of players, and some key ones as well, are disgruntled enough to be looking elsewhere.
LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Scott-Young, Stewart, Mafi, Fotuaika, Tualima (?) all had a lot of $$ and effort put into them

I think it's (partly, at least) just a bit of unfortunate timing: ASY (Angus Scott-Young) made it clear a couple of years ago he was looking overseas in the near future in-line with his medical studies; and it's been pretty well covered that Mafi, Stewart, and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (and Tupou) were all each other's biggest reason to stay at the Reds.

Edit: pretty hard to say the Reds didn't get a decent return on their investment in those players (excl. Tualima) too

 

[RugbyReg]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) wasn't offered a top up by RA. QRU keen to keep him but couldn't afford him by himself

 

[upthereds#!]

yeah that's fascinating given the squad losses. You'd have to think we have something/one more up our sleeve?

Unless the full time squad has the 4 locks. Blyth, Smith, Vest, Faifua. Development as Wilson Blyth.

 

[PhilClinton]

Gonna be a bit tough for him and Mafi to be roommates isnt it?

Who knows - it's a strange post-COVID world we live in. Maybe Mafi just assumed they'd always be on Zoom together

 

[PhilClinton]

Interesting that the Reds put out the 'thank you' post for Fotuaika and TTT not even an hour ago with no mention of Stewart

This social media age definitely has us reading between the lines a lot more doesn't it. I quite enjoy my tinfoil hat when it comes to stuff like this, and the whole Taniela never thanking Thorn in any of his posts.

You would think Stewart would deserve his own 'thank you' if they are going to do one anyway. He put in a lot more service than Fotuaika and TTT, and was an essential part of that midfield during the peak Reds years these last few seasons.

 

[RugbyReg]

Unless the full time squad has the 4 locks. Blyth, Smith, Vest, Faifua. Development as Wilson Blyth.

More the backrow that concerns me. TTT seemed to be used there more.

Wilson, Uru and McReight only ones signed at the moment. Wright the next focus and I guess Jones could play there as needed. Vest I guess but I don't see him as Super Rugby starting backrow standard.

 

[upthereds#!]

More the backrow that concerns me. TTT seemed to be used there more.

Wilson, Uru and McReight only ones signed at the moment. Wright the next focus and I guess Jones could play there as needed. Vest I guess but I don't see him as Super Rugby starting backrow standard.

So its still really

Locks: Blyth, Smith ---- Blyth
Utility: Jones, Vest, Faifua
Backrow: Mcreight, Uru, Wilson --- Wright, Tauakipulu

Not terribly inspsiring even if they get everyone re signed

 

[qwerty51]

I don't think it's an outlandish prediction to say the Reds might be the worst Aus franchise next year.

 

[Dctarget]

LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) wasn't offered a top up by Rugby Australia. QRU keen to keep him but couldn't afford him by himself

That's fine and fair but why was he put out to pasture mid season?

 

[SouthernX]

I don't think it's an outlandish prediction to say the Reds might be the worst Aus franchise next year.

Very outlandish

they had a pretty good season last year against the Australian side.

 

[dillyboy]

This social media age definitely has us reading between the lines a lot more doesn't it. I quite enjoy my tinfoil hat when it comes to stuff like this, and the whole Taniela never thanking Thorn in any of his posts.

You would think Stewart would deserve his own 'thank you' if they are going to do one anyway. He put in a lot more service than Fotuaika and TTT, and was an essential part of that midfield during the peak Reds years these last few seasons.

I wouldn't put anything last the Reds media team - I don't think Quade ever got a thankyou send off (either time)

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I don't think it's an outlandish prediction to say the Reds might be the worst Aus franchise next year.

I think they'll beat the Rebels.... Might be it though

 

[RugbyReg]

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has agreed to terms for the release of Hamish Stewart to the Western Force ahead of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season.

Red General Manager of Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said: “The Western Force made the request through the appropriate channels. They had a need with some injuries and departing inside backs.

“We have good depth at centre and some salary cap pressure with a large contingent of national players, so this is a good result for all parties.

“We’d like to thank Hamish for his commitment to Queensland Rugby over the past six years and we wish him all the very best with his move west.”

“I’ve had a really good time at the Reds,” said Stewart.

“They gave me my first crack at Super Rugby, and I’ll always be extremely grateful for the club.

“I’m sad to go, but I know they’re in good hands with the staff and playing group there at the moment.”

A Darling Downs product, Stewart debuted for Queensland in 2017 and went on to play 72 games for his home state.

The 24-year-old rose through the ranks alongside many of his Reds teammates, starring for the Junior Wallabies and in the Brad Thorn coached championship-winning Queensland U20s and Queensland Country sides in 2017.

 

[LeCheese]

Red General Manager of Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said: “The Western Force made the request through the appropriate channels. They had a need with some injuries and departing inside backs.

More speculation and reading between the lines from me – implying the Rebels maybe didn't?

 

[Ignoto]

More speculation and reading between the lines from me – implying the Rebels maybe didn't?

It shouldn't shock you, it's the same organisation secretly transferred ownership to the VRU to ensure they weren't cut back in 2017.

 

[RugbyReg]

More speculation and reading between the lines from me – implying the Rebels maybe didn't?

I don't the intent was for anyone to need to read between the lines. It's a straight out swipe at the Rebels

 

[DELETE ACCOUNT]

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has agreed to terms for the release of Hamish Stewart to the Western Force ahead of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season.

Red General Manager of Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said: “The Western Force made the request through the appropriate channels. They had a need with some injuries and departing inside backs.

“We have good depth at centre and some salary cap pressure with a large contingent of national players, so this is a good result for all parties.

“We’d like to thank Hamish for his commitment to Queensland Rugby over the past six years and we wish him all the very best with his move west.”

“I’ve had a really good time at the Reds,” said Stewart.

“They gave me my first crack at Super Rugby, and I’ll always be extremely grateful for the club.

“I’m sad to go, but I know they’re in good hands with the staff and playing group there at the moment.”

A Darling Downs product, Stewart debuted for Queensland in 2017 and went on to play 72 games for his home state.

The 24-year-old rose through the ranks alongside many of his Reds teammates, starring for the Junior Wallabies and in the Brad Thorn coached championship-winning Queensland U20s and Queensland Country sides in 2017.

Given more players have left (LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Faeo, Stewart, ASY (Angus Scott-Young), Mafi, Tualima) than been recruited (Jones) how is it there is salary cap pressure?

Did all the rest get a huge pay rise?

Something doesn't seem quite right

 

[LeCheese]

Given more players have left (LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Faeo, Stewart, ASY (Angus Scott-Young) (Angus Scott-Young), Mafi, Tualima) than been recruited (Jones) how is it there is salary cap pressure?

Did all the rest get a huge pay rise?

Something doesn't seem quite right

A good chunk of the Reds' Wallabies and best XV are only signed til '23 – I imagine re-signing them will be where the bulk of the pressure comes from