Queensland Reds 2026

[Wilson]

Yeah, it's the one side I wouldn't want to pull players out of to play against pros elsewhere - that big game experience is just too valuable for their development and there's plenty of other opportunities for those guys to get exposure to pro games before they need to make the step up.

I'm quietly hopeful that we have a really strong generation coming through over this current run of 16-19 year olds and it's really going to pay off in 5 or so years. Might be a bit more spread out but they could rival the 2019 group, if we can hang onto the bulk of them.

 

[Major Tom]

Frankie Goldsborough is the main option for a big back to come through in the next few years, the kid has a lot of potential there and already has that extra 5-10kg over most of our backs at 19.

He is probably still a few years off though, it's a real pity this year has been so injury interrupted for him.

Could you get Taj Annan back from the Knights? Didn't play a game of first grade and a new coach incoming.

 

[Wilson]

Could you get Taj Annan back from the Knights? Didn't play a game of first grade and a new coach incoming.

He's signed for 2027 at this stage. I don't really think there was a lost expectation he would feature heavily for he Knights in his first year, so I doubt he's too worried yet. If the new coach ends up being Cheika (a real possibility) he may even be really excited to stay in the hope that it'll be great for his transition.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Probably depends on how much he's on at the Knights. Young big outside back might be worth persisting when he's probably on bugger all for them.

His stats for the year seem to say he went OK especially in his first year. 13 games, 5 tries. 97 run meters is on the very low side for a top 1st grade Winger but the Knights came 2nd last so it's hard for some guys to shine out wide when you assume they're getting dished up in the middle more often than not.

 

[Major Tom]

Probably depends on how much he's on at the Knights. Young big outside back might be worth persisting when he's probably on bugger all for them.

His stats for the year seem to say he went OK especially in his first year. 13 games, 5 tries. 97 run meters is on the very low side for a top 1st grade Winger but the Knights came 2nd last so it's hard for some guys to shine out wide when you assume they're getting dished up in the middle more often than not.

Seems wasted as a winger to me. Would have thought centre is a better option.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Big Wingers in RL are gold. Aerial threat and ability to take hit ups. Rare to see any slight ones anymore.

 

[Red Runner]

Wonder if there’s any chance that Jock Campbell is the back up 10 to HMP. He seems to be playing more there for the Reds in recent games.

assume Heremaia Murray is still around and notably Tim Ryan is playing a bit of fullback. But I’m interested in Will McCulloch. He looks an exciting prospect for fullback. Hes tallish.

 

[Red Runner]

He was called into the Wallabies squad and didn't play in the Tonga game or for Brothers before the GF.

Last game was back during the Reds season.

so his last game was July 2? Almost two months ago? I think he’s entitled to be a little rusty. I actually don’t think he was as poor on the weekend as is being made out - questioning his future and all.

 

[liquor box]

Ryan looked dangerous early then pretty much didn’t really feature. Flook didn’t do much other than nearly finishing a break in the first half. Pakeho was everywhere and threatened all game. Gonna get better and better and I look forward to seeing how he helps lynagh and HMP getting into first receiver. You’re right we do lack size, a lot rests on Henry’s body.

Is Pakeho capable of playing 10 if required? It would be nice to have a big 10 available, I worry about Lynagh's size and especially his concussions.

This is not an attack on Lynagh, I think he can be the best 10 in Australian rugby, but I am worried we are only one late hit from a NZ team away from another Mason Gordon situation.

 

[liquor box]

In the QPR GF today there was Ross, Blake, Canham, Pakeho, Flook and Ryan from the Reds 2026 cohort.

From the Bond side, Ross, Blake and Canham all seemed to do their jobs in the set-piece and dominated fairly well, Canham was obvious in general play but that’s partly because he is a giraffe. Aidan Ross carried the ball a lot, and was decent without standing out.. Bit like Slipper.

As for the Brothers backs, Pakeho was the most impressive, but i was a little underwhelmed with Ryan and Flook. The gameplan didn’t seem to invite them in too much, but maybe that was Bonds defensive structure. In either case i felt both went missing and lacked the size to inject themselves when needed, given they’re regular Super Rugby players i expected more. In comparison to Tyler Campbell, and Pakeho to a lesser extent who were breaking tackles and getting across the advantage line regularly in the mid-field.

It has me wondering where is Flooks best position, he seems a smart player, runs good lines and has decent speed but isn’t big enough for centre if the pairing is Paisami or Pakeho. Its also left me a little concerned for 2026 if the Reds don‘t get some extra size in the backline.

Canham stood out, but for me I was amazed at his hand eye coordination, he received plenty of bad passes where at the last millisecond he would stick out a hand and catch the ball one handed.

The reason it stood out was how can he be this capable but drop so many balls in Super Rugby?

I really hope he is with the Reds long term.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Canham stood out, but for me I was amazed at his hand eye coordination, he received plenty of bad passes where at the last millisecond he would stick out a hand and catch the ball one handed.

The reason it stood out was how can he be this capable but drop so many balls in Super Rugby?

I really hope he is with the Reds long term.

Space and time shrinks at the next level. He’ll get there.

 

[Major Tom]

Is Pakeho capable of playing 10 if required? It would be nice to have a big 10 available, I worry about Lynagh's size and especially his concussions.

This is not an attack on Lynagh, I think he can be the best 10 in Australian rugby, but I am worried we are only one late hit from a NZ team away from another Mason Gordon situation.

Yeah not sure Dre would be ready to do it more than part time. The reds do need to give him some kicks for touch when it suits his left boot though. I actually always thought Paisami showed some ability to fill in there but he’s been needed at centre usually.
Mackay and Pritchard are bigger 10s coming through but they’re a few years away.

 

[Dctarget]

Canham stood out, but for me I was amazed at his hand eye coordination, he received plenty of bad passes where at the last millisecond he would stick out a hand and catch the ball one handed.

The reason it stood out was how can he be this capable but drop so many balls in Super Rugby?

I really hope he is with the Reds long term.

I think Canham is a good distributor for a lock but forces a lot of passes that other locks might not attempt.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Is also a big part of the Reds game play to use the T Shape with a late tip on and offload in contact. Some passes would be called when he should really just be told to truck it up.

Some players push it and get caught up in it when others are doing it effectively like Wilson, McReight and Uru. He'll get better and picking and choosing when to hold.

 

[Cole]

With Lynagh tied up with the Wallabies who is likely to be the 2nd 10 for the Reds in Super Rugby Aus? Throw out an Academy kid or someone excel in HC?

Pretty sure they will just go with HMP and Campbell as back up. But if they were to give a younger guy a go, Id like to see Will Nason given a go. Hes current Reds U20s flyhalf, and just won 2nd consecutive prem colts premiership. Not a flashy 10, but very good organiser and defender, and for his age good at getting team around the park with few errors. I watched him a bit at Souths last year, played Wests this year. Much more physically developed than the likes of Finn McKay who some have mentioned. Probably wont happen but be a good opportunity to give someone a chance, as theres not much cover if HMP gets injured

 

[Wilson]

The only issue I have with guys like Mackay or Nason is that I don't see either being realistic options for the squad next year, where we need that 3rd string option to be a bit more ready to go. If we've got someone in mind external or are keen to just focus on Campbell/Henry/Paisami as coverage there then giving a bit of exposure and experience to the young guys is great and will pay off down the track. But if we're not sure who that player is yet and are going to look to Hospitals Cup, then I think we need to grab an older and more experienced option from those available.

Unfortunately I haven't watched anywhere near enough club rugby this year to know who that might be though, based just on the names kicking around it might be a past it Teti Tela, or a journeyman Liam McNamara. Harry Grant is the other obvious option as a former Reds U19 player with strong connection to guys like Pakeho through Brothers, but he's only a couple of years older than Nason/Mackay so I'm not sure it really moves the needle there.

 

[Major Tom]

The only issue I have with guys like Mackay or Nason is that I don't see either being realistic options for the squad next year, where we need that 3rd string option to be a bit more ready to go. If we've got someone in mind external or are keen to just focus on Campbell/Henry/Paisami as coverage there then giving a bit of exposure and experience to the young guys is great and will pay off down the track. But if we're not sure who that player is yet and are going to look to Hospitals Cup, then I think we need to grab an older and more experienced option from those available.

Unfortunately I haven't watched anywhere near enough club rugby this year to know who that might be though, based just on the names kicking around it might be a past it Teti Tela, or a journeyman Liam McNamara. Harry Grant is the other obvious option as a former Reds U19 player with strong connection to guys like Pakeho through Brothers, but he's only a couple of years older than Nason/Mackay so I'm not sure it really moves the needle there.

I'd say Nason could feature at fullback too.

 

[Cole]

I'd say Nason could feature at fullback too.

Probably could, think he played first 6 or 7 rounds at 15 for Wests prems this year and was pretty solid. Not his best position i think, but capable enough

 

[Cole]

The only issue I have with guys like Mackay or Nason is that I don't see either being realistic options for the squad next year, where we need that 3rd string option to be a bit more ready to go. If we've got someone in mind external or are keen to just focus on Campbell/Henry/Paisami as coverage there then giving a bit of exposure and experience to the young guys is great and will pay off down the track. But if we're not sure who that player is yet and are going to look to Hospitals Cup, then I think we need to grab an older and more experienced option from those available.

Unfortunately I haven't watched anywhere near enough club rugby this year to know who that might be though, based just on the names kicking around it might be a past it Teti Tela, or a journeyman Liam McNamara. Harry Grant is the other obvious option as a former Reds U19 player with strong connection to guys like Pakeho through Brothers, but he's only a couple of years older than Nason/Mackay so I'm not sure it really moves the needle there.

Think thats probably fair enough, I dont think there was a standout 10 throughout H C this year, and not winning the final with the backline Brothers had might be a knock against Harry Grant.
My problem with getting an older guy in for a year or so is you end up with the Jude Gibbs situation, where he takes a spot but isnt used. Better to keep a younger guy interested who might play if needed but be better for the training and experience further down the track. If the older guy brought in is say Bernard Foley or QC (Quade Cooper) who can mentor our young halves as well as be a realistic option to play if needed then great, but i dont see the value in a mid/late 20s journeyman who isn't likely to be used.
I think they will just go with Lynagh and HMP, with Campbell as backup like this year, and use probably Ryan, Murray or McCullough as 15 cover. Or Flook

 

[Wilson]

Trevor King signed through 2027:

Trevor King Signs With Queensland Reds as Super Rugby AUS Squad Announced

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