QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[MoneyBill685]

what is everyone's thoughts on Tyler Campbell and super rugby? Outstanding all year and that grand final performance wow but is he past it age wise?

If I knew nothing about rugby and someone told me one of the two 12's playing yesterday was in the reds, I would have said it was Campbell.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Thats absurd. If memory serves me correctly Matt Giteau did not play super before playing for the Wallabies.

Australian rugby folklore is filled with stories of players who are picked from obscurity to play for the Wallabies and forge amazing careers - Kearns from Randwick second grade etc.

Anyway, may all be irrelevant - he may not want the job, who knows.

Most of these are just that - stories.

Giteau debuted for the Brumbies in 2001 and the Wallabies in 2002 (toured before then)

Kearns played for NSW in 1988 (and against the Lions no less) before he played for the Wallabies in 1989

 

[Wilson]

what is everyone's thoughts on Tyler Campbell and super rugby? Outstanding all year and that grand final performance wow but is he past it age wise?

If I knew nothing about rugby and someone told me one of the two 12's playing yesterday was in the reds, I would have said it was Campbell.

He's probably a chance for Super Au with Paisami, Daugunu and Flook all unavailable, particularly if Goldsbrough is still injured. That would leave only Henry, Pakeho and Ruebens available so he could slot in as a 4th centre option. His best chance is probably if they're not bringing in another 10 and just using (Jock) Campbell/Henry as the back up. If they instead want to call up a 10 (and the Reds do need a 3rd string coverage option) it's harder to make room for him in such a short comp.

Beyond that though it gets a bit more difficult. I'm not sure there's room for another out and out centre in the Reds squad and it's hard to see Campbell offering much coverage elsewhere these days. I wouldn't be amazed if the Force took a punt on him though, they have lost most of their centres from the last couple of years, but they probably should be going for someone a bit more established first.

 

[Ignoto]

In my view, its a specific role that requires a specific skillset and he seems to have that. Maybe he needs to be given a crack and they put experienced assistants around him?

Mick was given the reigns at the next logical step up as a HC; the Brisbane City for the 2017 and 2018 competitions.

That City team got toweled up by Thorns Country team and Heehan never got the City team firing.

The 2023 Reds which Mick was a part of also didn't really fire. So that's two pieces of data where Mick wasn't able to demonstrate the same level of success he's had at QPR level.

Mick clearly knows what he's doing but right now, it appears like the Reds would be a step too far for him. I would suggest he needs to jump into the younger Reds teams and build a platform there and demonstrate success before given the Reds mens HC role.

 

[PhilClinton]

Based on the Brisbane City and brief Reds stint, there were definitely some doubts around whether Mick Heenan success was the byproduct of working within a great setup at UQ or if he was the orchestrator.

I think based on how shit UQ have been since he left and how well Heenan has gone with Bond, it's clear that he has the coaching know-how to turn a team into winners, when given ample runway to do so.

The NRC failings are not a great barometer of his coaching ability - it was a semi-professional rep team with players coming in and out of the squads (particularly in QLD case where players literally jumped between Country and City depending on injuries).

Someone like Thorn who had an all or nothing approach really thrives in that short representative season format because he can drive home his point and make the players work hard. I reckon if Michael Chieka had coached an NSW NRC team they would have done well for similar reasons.

 

[Oracle83]

I agree that history will show Heeno as a dyed-in-the-wool 'Championship Whisperer'; but for myself - as a long-time Bond supporter - it was the building of a team and team culture over three to four years that has culminated in Bond's first ever premiership (as Bond). A key part of that has been the development of an 'attack from anywhere, at any time' mindset and an ability to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat (something seen more than once over the last few seasons).

Bond's willingness to blood in players on merit (no favourites, just those who can get the job done), potential (bringing through colts and lower grade players at the right time) and even mateship (Josh Canham coming to Bond after developing a close friendship with Rhian Stowers whilst playing Shute Shield at Eastwood) has seen the steady culmination of a champion team as well as the development of real onfield superstars before our eyes.

Settling on a mix of solid experience and fresh new talent has also been a key part of the mix. Forming a well-known game plan, but utilising new players who the opposition found difficult to read or anticipate was a master stroke.

...and then there were the 'ones who were ready when called upon'

Two players who - for 2 to 3 seasons - were always in the mix for greatness, but for one reason or another were overlooked. were injured, or had form lapses; giving them less time on field than they would have liked. Those two players got to show EVERY piece of talent and skill in their arsenals in mere seconds to pull off THE try that led to a maiden GF victory for Bond.

Dion Samuela and Hamish Roberts, take a bow. Never have two players been more deserving of rugby folklore and greatness than these two. They are the epitome of success through struggle, commitment, dedication and taking the knocks and getting right back up....then doing what they needed to do when called upon.

..and then Samuela backs that up with the superhuman tackle on David Fusitu'a that killed the try that would have seen Brothers win the GF.

The tight 5, the loosies, the flyhalves, the centre-pairing, the back three. They all worked together throughout the season to formulate and implement the perfect game; a QPR Grand Final win.

Mick Heenan added finesse and finetuning to a team that always had the potential to win. He is indeed a guru in that sense.

But there is one person who is absolutely deserving of any and all accolades and bouquets to be sent his way today and beyond. That person is Tyler Campbell. If Heeno is the guru, then Campbell is the master magician. His feats on and off field are phenomenal. He leads by example. He studies, advises, mentors and shapes the diverse individuals and personalities into a cohesive and formidable team unit. He communicates constantly. He is truly a player's player and a player's captain. He is a dream to coach, and he is an absolute spectacle to watch when he plies his trade on the field. It was truly magical.

Magic happened at Ballymore - 31 August 2025

Best blog in ages , great insight thank you

 

[Red Runner]

Most of these are just that - stories.

Giteau debuted for the Brumbies in 2001 and the Wallabies in 2002 (toured before then)

Kearns played for NSW in 1988 (and against the Lions no less) before he played for the Wallabies in 1989

Not true about Giteau.

“Matt Giteau is the only Wallaby in the professional era to make his Test debut for Australia before he had played provincial rugby.”

he played for the wallabies first in 2002 and for the Brumbies. Dont believe Wikipedia.
He played for the Canberra Vikings.

 

[hdnmstsnr]

what is everyone's thoughts on Tyler Campbell and super rugby? Outstanding all year and that grand final performance wow but is he past it age wise?

If I knew nothing about rugby and someone told me one of the two 12's playing yesterday was in the reds, I would have said it was Campbell.

Tyler was first a product of Keebra Park and went on to become a solid keystone product of TSS. He has been a phenomenal touch and rugby prodigy since the age of 13, when he captained a Gold Coast 13s side to victory. He has always been in the mix when it came to higher and elite representative rugby... but, much like another phenomenal local product - Kohan Herbert - Tyler was. almost criminally, ignored when it came to higher-level selection. Like Kohan, Tyler spent time playing Super Rugby and NPC rugby in NZ, and bought crucial heads up and high-level big game experience back to the Gold Coast when he signed up for Bond.

He counts current Wallabies, All Blacks, Super Rugby, NPC and top overseas professional rugby players as close personal friends. Many of those players count Tyler as a key inspiration and rugby mentor. He should have been called up a long time ago, and would have made a phenomenal pairing combination - and on-field strategist - for Noah Lolesio. But that is by the by.

Even if he is called up now, he will likely decline and continue to do what he does best - identify, recruit, mentor and develop younger (and older) players at Bond...and do his utmost to create a unique Bond rugby legacy. Tyler Campbell is a rare mix of rugby intelligence, on field strategy and physicality, unmatched heads-up skill, comprehensive foresight and the ability to make the impossible, possible.

Those attributes make him phenomenally crucial to local grassroots club rugby... and likely to be further ignored by the idiot tank that is Rugby Australia.

 

[Red Runner]

Interesting post Mr Campbell. Hope your boy is enjoying mad Monday.

 

[hdnmstsnr]

Interesting post Mr Campbell. Hope your boy is enjoying mad Monday.

More interesting is how butt-hurt flogs assume any insightful post/comment about a player is by that player's parent - and not by a passionate rugby fan. Plenty on here know who my kid is; and it ain't Tyler Campbell.

 

[Red Runner]

More interesting is how butt-hurt flogs assume any insightful post/comment about a player is by that player's parent - and not by a passionate rugby fan. Plenty on here know who my kid is; and it ain't Tyler Campbell.

Mate I’m passionate about rugby and consider myself to have decent knowledge of rugby players.

but as a 13 year old??? That’s a little intense. Unless it’s my son…

 

[PhilClinton]

Sounds like Michael Wood has gone from potential hero to a bit of a zero reputation wise down at Crosby.

I didn’t notice it much live but lots of Brothers supporters I’ve spoken too since the game have been critical about some baiting incidents towards Bond which clearly ended up biting the team in the arse.

 

[hdnmstsnr]

Mate I’m passionate about rugby and consider myself to have decent knowledge of rugby players.

but as a 13 year old??? That’s a little intense. Unless it’s my son…

It merely demonstrates a long-term knowledge and awareness of a player with solid Gold Coast roots. Nothing more. Mainstream media recently touted and commented on Tom Lynagh and Kirifi Du Plessis as 9 and 10-year-olds. How does that differ, contextually, from a local club fan doing the same for the current Tony Shaw Medalist - and captain of a maiden premiership-winning side on a specialist forum?

 

[hughjardon69]

d on like he’d won the Hospital Cup when he got th

Tyler was first a product of Keebra Park and went on to become a solid keystone product of TSS. He has been a phenomenal touch and rugby prodigy since the age of 13, when he captained a Gold Coast 13s side to victory. He has always been in the mix when it came to higher and elite representative rugby... but, much like another phenomenal local product - Kohan Herbert - Tyler was. almost criminally, ignored when it came to higher-level selection. Like Kohan, Tyler spent time playing Super Rugby and NPC rugby in NZ, and bought crucial heads up and high-level big game experience back to the Gold Coast when he signed up for Bond.

He counts current Wallabies, All Blacks, Super Rugby, NPC and top overseas professional rugby players as close personal friends. Many of those players count Tyler as a key inspiration and rugby mentor. He should have been called up a long time ago, and would have made a phenomenal pairing combination - and on-field strategist - for Noah Lolesio. But that is by the by.

Even if he is called up now, he will likely decline and continue to do what he does best - identify, recruit, mentor and develop younger (and older) players at Bond...and do his utmost to create a unique Bond rugby legacy. Tyler Campbell is a rare mix of rugby intelligence, on field strategy and physicality, unmatched heads-up skill, comprehensive foresight and the ability to make the impossible, possible.

Those attributes make him phenomenally crucial to local grassroots club rugby... and likely to be further ignored by the idiot tank that is Rugby Australia.

Amen. both Tyler and Kohan should be professional.

 

[Ras]

Sounds like Michael Wood has gone from potential hero to a bit of a zero reputation wise down at Crosby.

I didn’t notice it much live but lots of Brothers supporters I’ve spoken too since the game have been critical about some baiting incidents towards Bond which clearly ended up biting the team in the arse.

I would doubt that, he was absolutely immense on both sides of the ball with pilfers and post contact meters. He himself plays an aggressive niggly game to bait the opposition. Case in point when he got snotted by a souths player this or last year.

Brothers lost that game off the boot (conversions and territory) and through the 20 minute set piece deconstruction in the second half. Not a back rower getting into a few push and shoves.

 

[hdnmstsnr]

I would doubt that, he was absolutely immense on both sides of the ball with pilfers and post contact meters. He himself plays an aggressive niggly game to bait the opposition. Case in point when he got snotted by a souths player this or last year.

Brothers lost that game off the boot (conversions and territory) and through the 20 minute set piece deconstruction in the second half. Not a back rower getting into a few push and shoves.

If Wood is the niggly, mongrel player people are making him out to be, that is EXACTLY what is missing at higher levels of the game. We NEED that element in order to niggle and put players off their game. Josh Canham is an excellent exponent of that aspect of the game. He is also very adept at keeping it in check. and bringing it out when needed. A few Brethren will likely attest to that from Sunday's game. Wood/Canham/Swain...are players vital to employing that psychological aspect of the game; something sorely lacking at higher, elite levels.

 

[hdnmstsnr]

Amen. both Tyler and Kohan should be professional.

..add Matt Gicquel and Eli Pilz....and Dom from UQ

 

[PhilClinton]

I would doubt that, he was absolutely immense on both sides of the ball with pilfers and post contact meters. He himself plays an aggressive niggly game to bait the opposition. Case in point when he got snotted by a souths player this or last year.

Brothers lost that game off the boot (conversions and territory) and through the 20 minute set piece deconstruction in the second half. Not a back rower getting into a few push and shoves.

Yeh, I didn't see anything of note live.

But apparently, he was taking bows and spraying the Bond bench when he won some turnovers, did it two or three times and copped a clip from the coaching staff after the game about humility.

 

[PhilClinton]

Wood/Canham/Swain...are players vital to employing that psychological aspect of the game; something sorely lacking at higher, elite levels.

Swain not the best example - he was too easily baited and ended up becoming a target for opposition and a card magnet.

Seems to have wound it back though, but the reputational damage might be done.

 

[eldiablo]

Yeh, I didn't see anything of note live.

But apparently, he was taking bows and spraying the Bond bench when he won some turnovers, did it two or three times and copped a clip from the coaching staff after the game about humility.

I thought the bow was an interesting move for a pretty regulation turnover haha