I only just got around to watching the QF on the weekend. It's been a real up and down year. First time in living memory I can't remember watching every Reds game. Combination of being overseas and pretty disillusioned with them earlier/mid season.
Their last couple games have shown what they're capable of and I really hope is the baseline of this group moving forward.
Thought Daugunu has been excellent at 13. A physical presence the backline needs.
Flook is going to be a very very good player come 2025 lions tour. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Ikitau 12 Flook 13 combo for the wallabies in the future.
Vunivalu, for all his haters, is showing some very good touches. It seems to me that he really just needs more game time in Rugby. I think his perceived / actual laziness off the ball stems from League where they simply don't have to work anywhere near as hard(positionally) off the ball. That will come in time I reckon. What was it, 7 tries from 10 or 12 games this year? Not bad. Eddie will be looking at him for sure.
Moving forward we really need to strengthen our prop stocks.
As said above Hockings would really compliment and strengthen Smith and Blyth in the row. Backrow is great. Good at 9. Ok at 10. Plenty of quality centres. And the back 3 is well covered.
I'd love a couple of quality, experienced leaders to come into the group. I'm not sure that will happen though.
I wasn't impressed with Annan in super at all but jeez did he show some ability in the u20s. Even the kiwis were raving about him. Big frame. Put a couple more kilos on him with that dynamicism/skill and he could be a real talent.
I think Mac and Aubry need to get a bit more game time and show something over the next year or 2. I can't help but think Mac would actually be a very good 10/15 hybrid. I've heard he has some desire to play at 10.
The back row is quality. All of Wright, Mcreight, Wilson and Uru continued their upward trajectory this year. Mcreight and Wilson in particularly had huge seasons. Consistency is key for them, as it is for a lot of young pros. The one thing really missing from Wilson's game at the moment is that collision zone. It can 100% be taught. I just hope someone at the Reds or wallabies can get it through to him. Fix that up and the bloke will be a nightmare for opposition teams with the rest of his skills.
The fringe players were all ok. They seemed to build on last year which is a good sign.
As noted above the biggest problem to solve is the coach. Personally I think we need to do whatever we can to get an experienced successful coach to come in to work with the team they have now for a few years. Not sure that will happen. I am hoping they don't throw another Super rookie into the driver's seat.
A few games this year have given me hope for 2024. A big 4/5 years coming up for aus Rugby. Very very rare opportunity for any Pro Rugby player. Hopefully that drives performances moving forward.
