QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[Elwee's Loo]

Good luck to Souths with Thomo but if you want an all club fix I wouldn’t pick up the phone and ring Thomo.

Who would you call?

 

[PhilClinton]

Who would you call?

Mick Bloody Heenan

 

[Elwee's Loo]

Mick Bloody Heenan

I thought he was staying at Bond and being chased by GPS.

 

[PhilClinton]

I thought he was staying at Bond and being chased by GPS.

You asked who to call - not who is likely to answer the call.

The only QPR coach work hanging your hat on in 2026 is Mick Heenan.

Funnily enough, I was recently reminded of an article back in 2023 prior to Kiss formally signing with the Reds where it mentions Heenan being a candidate but that after his brief assistant Reds stint, his 6 Premierships with UQ may not be a worthy indicator that he's actually got any talent.

Geez they got that wrong!

Found it - the Christy Doran article and for bonus points it also mentions Adrian Thompson getting flicked!

Exclusive: Reds close in on head coach as candidates revealed, RA let go senior pathways manager

The Queensland Reds are closing in on Brad Thorn’s replacement as head coach while Rugby Australia has moved on their General Manager National High-Performance…

www.theroar.com.au

 

[Elwee's Loo]

You asked who to call - not who is likely to answer the call.

The only QPR coach work hanging your hat on in 2026 is Mick Heenan.

Funnily enough, I was recently reminded of an article back in 2023 prior to Kiss formally signing with the Reds where it mentions Heenan being a candidate but that after his brief assistant Reds stint, his 6 Premierships with UQ may not be a worthy indicator that he's actually got any talent.

Geez they got that wrong!

Found it - the Christy Doran article and for bonus points it also mentions Adrian Thompson getting flicked!

Exclusive: Reds close in on head coach as candidates revealed, RA let go senior pathways manager

The Queensland Reds are closing in on Brad Thorn’s replacement as head coach while Rugby Australia has moved on their General Manager National High-Performance…

www.theroar.com.au

Lost in translation - in context as to who is currently available.

I think Mick Heenan is on a better wicket than most Super Rugby Assistant Coaches and doesn't have the travel issues.

Be interesting to see what sort of a coaching team Adrian Thompson builds around him at Souths.

 

[PhilClinton]

Lost in translation - in context as to who is currently available.

I think Mick Heenan is on a better wicket than most Super Rugby Assistant Coaches and doesn't have the travel issues.

Be interesting to see what sort of a coaching team Adrian Thompson builds around him at Souths.

Depends what you call travel issues - doesn't have long haul trips or nights away.

But he's got a 2hr+ round trip commute on a good day, I believe three days a week. It has definitely come up in conversation with his inner circle.

After the 2025 win though, it seems worth it, so maybe he sticks it out long term.

 

[Porridgelover]

I thought Rama Chand was supposed to be one of the best coaching appointments at Souths ever? Wasn't that being sprouted on these forums earlier in the yea

You stole my thunder !
I am quite certain Garrick Morgan came out (On Souths Socials) and trumpeted the arrival of Jason Jones & Rama Chand as game changing for Souths.

Both sacked and join a long line of coaches (and substantial number of quality players) driven out of Souths by poor leadership over the past few years.

Good luck Adrian, I am sure your resume is excellent, but you also need cattle to coach.
If some of the conversations are to be believed, Souths might struggle to have 4 grades in 2026.

Perhaps the current decision makers at Chipsy Wood need to stop patting themselves on the back & judge themselves like they have judged coaches & players.

Full Mark your correct Garrick Morgan gave them all huge wraps. Garrick Morgan Im led to believe had full control during his stint, sacked numerous coaches and brought in his own staff, took over as DO then appointed Jason Jones. Committee has big part to blame for allowing all these decisions to be made. The club is now paying the price for some really poor choices with staff. Players have left due to the way things unfolded with sacked coaches. Thommo has his work cut out to try and turn the whole club around after recent years of poor decisions. Be interesting to see if Vest, Eru and others on $$ hang around if the payments are reduced or stopped. Time will tell if Thommo is man to repair a very damaged Souths.

 

[Full Mark]

@Porridgelover my information is exactly as you said.
The current Souths board have for years allowed GM to mismanage the entire rugby program, from staffing to financials.

Vest will not return, Uru I suspect will be available to offers. The current first grade group is now breaking apart… the club is in serious crisis on and off the field.

There was a board with Old Boy Dan Crowley in place ready to take over and get the club back on track - They were treated that poorly that Dan walked away in disgust.

Unfortunately they are getting what they wanted.

 

[PhilClinton]

I know it has been brought up before but what exactly is the go with contracted Reds players officially getting payments from clubs?

Surely that is a big no no as they're QRU employed and it would essentially change their contract value?

I know there are other ways it can be circumvented, for example I recall Radike and the Fa'aingaa boys driving around in nice new cars not long after they rocked up at GPS. But are people under the assumption that Vest and Uru were being paid?

 

[Muddled123]

@Porridgelover my information is exactly as you said.
The current Souths board have for years allowed GM to mismanage the entire rugby program, from staffing to financials.

Vest will not return, Uru I suspect will be available to offers. The current first grade group is now breaking apart… the club is in serious crisis on and off the field.

There was a board with Old Boy Dan Crowley in place ready to take over and get the club back on track - They were treated that poorly that Dan walked away in disgust.

Unfortunately they are getting what they wanted.

I heard most of the group that Crowley was with got on to the Souths board

 

[Full Mark]

I heard most of the group that Crowley was with got on to the Souths board

Categorically false.
He had an array of business savvy individuals ready to go.
This is not the description you would give to the current Souths board.

Unfortunately rugby hasn’t been the focus up there for some time.

 

[Muddled123]

Categorically false.
He had an array of business savvy individuals ready to go.
This is not the description you would give to the current Souths board.

Unfortunately rugby hasn’t been the focus up there for some time.

Just checked with mates at Souths - 4 of Crowley’s team were elected to the board even after Crowley withdrew his own nomination, and they also were happy with the treasurer who was already there. They’ve all left since.

 

[NORM]

Just checked with mates at Souths - 4 of Crowley’s team were elected to the board even after Crowley withdrew his own nomination, and they also were happy with the treasurer who was already there. They’ve all left since.

Doesn't sound very supportive. Name his "mates" who were elected.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

I know it has been brought up before but what exactly is the go with contracted Reds players officially getting payments from clubs?

Surely that is a big no no as they're QRU employed and it would essentially change their contract value?

I know there are other ways it can be circumvented, for example I recall Radike and the Fa'aingaa boys driving around in nice new cars not long after they rocked up at GPS. But are people under the assumption that Vest and Uru were being paid?

There's a reason Vest is at Souths despite having a rhino tattooed on him.