QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[Nathan Bailey]

Has to make sponsoring QPR a tough sell. Ripping the best players out during finals.

 

[JRugby2]

I agree with your point sir.

from a commercial standpoint and from a more quality talent opponent for the reds

I guess my issue Phil is the qpr calander never seems to be optimal to fit around a 12 months of reds rugby/wallabies/touring

a mid week Tonga fixture would be ideal but in saying that - players union would probably mandate a period of rest

I can't think of a professional sport in Australia that does? Maybe basketball with the NBL and NBL1 comps?

 

[PhilClinton]

Has to make sponsoring QPR a tough sell. Ripping the best players out during finals.

I disagree - the 'best players' for a club have been playing 90% of the season, the guys who are running out each weekend and put their sides into the finals are the best players.

QPR clubs no doubt get the benefit of professional players coming into the sides, but if your club is solely reliant on that to build their culture and brand, it's going to be a struggle. Sponsors don't count the number of Reds players in a team before signing their agreements.

I proudly support GPS and we have zero Reds players this year I believe. But the club is still entirely profitable and has a huge sponsorship base.

I think people sometimes forget that QPR has always been, and still is, an amateur rugby competition and technically isn't a 'feeder competition' for the Reds. The Reds are a professional rugby team who are able to sign any rugby player in Australia (and some overseas). We just happen to have a great local rugby competition that supports everything, aligns with them and provides a pathway for amateur players.

 

[SouthernX]

I proudly support GPS and we have zero Reds players this year I believe. But the club is still entirely profitable and has a huge sponsorship base.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto?
Last played for GPS did he not.

I don’t think reds rugby lists players clubs anymore next to players in matchday 23

 

[Wilson]

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto?
Last played for GPS did he not.

I don’t think reds rugby lists players clubs anymore next to players in matchday 23

They tend to do junior club for the match day 23 now, but the squad listing at the start of the year has current club affiliation (except for a few new squad members:

Queensland Reds name team to face British and Irish Lions

reds.rugby

It's Souths for Salakaia-Loto, no one is listed as GPS (Gibbs and Anderson were TBC, but I believe they ended up at Brothers and UQ respectively)

 

[Bulldog]

If we say top 4 finishes as the table stands - Easts, Bros, Wests & Bond who does the Reds game in Tonga favour?
I think Easts would be least affected with less Reds contract player to the other clubs. So if Easts manage to make the major semi they might sneak past their opponent and be first in the GF.

 

[Bulldog]

What would you do if your were a club player (not contracted to Reds) who was rewarded for a fine QPR season with selection for this game in Tonga.
if it was me I’d say stick your Tonga trip I’m playing for my club in the finals.

 

[Adam84]

Hmmm… If it’s a player on the verge/chasing a professional contract and this is their opportunity to prove their value in a professional environment, that’s not such a straightforward choice. Many would find it hard to turn selection down.

 

[PhilClinton]

At a rugby luncheon today Les Kiss actually made an off handed apology to one of the QPR coaches about scheduling issues causing the team to miss players over the coming weeks.