Queensland Reds 2025

[Wilson]

I actually like the look of Will McCulloch in this match, the fullback for Norths, one try in particular where he broke the tackle of Henry 1v1.

I only watched the extended highlights so might have missed other parts but he looked decent in the 15 role. And I’d say physically he looks a bit more solid/mature then Tim Ryan, both been about similar height.

Yeah, he's a really solid prospect there, though he has missed some development time being out injured this year. It's part of why I think Vaihu fits in well as a 3rd fullback option - he's capable of playing in the centres or on the wing instead, so if McCulloch is ready to go and nails it from the start we can still get plenty of use out of Vaihu. He also has a decent chunk of rugby played with guys like Mclaughlin-Phillips, Henry, Anderson and Daugunu now, which always helps.

 

[Major Tom]

Yeah, he's a really solid prospect there, though he has missed some development time being out injured this year. It's part of why I think Vaihu fits in well as a 3rd fullback option - he's capable of playing in the centres or on the wing instead, so if McCulloch is ready to go and nails it from the start we can still get plenty of use out of Vaihu. He also has a decent chunk of rugby played with guys like Mclaughlin-Phillips, Henry, Anderson and Daugunu now, which always helps.

Someone mentioned he's off to Japan.

 

[Wilson]

Someone mentioned he's off to Japan.

Yeah, it seems we've missed out which is a real pity

 

[Braveheart81]

Surely would have known that Dre played significantly more games then Lington then? He played twice as many games and almost 6x as many minutes as Ieli.

Anyway I’m not wedded to any player getting rookie of the year, doesn’t really mean much in the broader scheme. It’d be hard to look past Dre though based purely on the number of games he started thiggg.

This is a ridiculous conversation.

Rookie of the year is obviously Joseph Sua'ali'i.

 

[Wilson]

This is a ridiculous conversation.

Rookie of the year is obviously Joseph Sua'ali'i.

Is he eligible though? The NRL have ruled Nawaqanitawase ineligible for their rookie of the year award off the back of his time in pro rugby.

 

[Braveheart81]

Is he eligible though? The NRL have ruled Nawaqanitawase ineligible for their rookie of the year award off the back of his time in pro rugby.

The Rugby Australia Award? I think the eligibility criteria is non-existent.

Tim Ryan (Reds) won it in 2024.
Carys Dallinger (Wallaroos) won in 2023.
Nick Frost (Wallabies) won in 2022.

There's no specific Super Rugby rookie of the year award either competition wide or from Rugby Australia based on my understanding.

Competition wide though, Leroy Carter from the Chiefs would be a good shout.

 

[Red Runner]

Reds have signed a couple more teenagers - Nick Conway and Finn Mackay.

They have gone really hard on the next gen - they've announced signings of Kingsley Uys, Will Ross, Bennet Armistead, Levi Slater, Taione Taka and Trevor Pritchard - all of who I think are still at school. And now these two who I think are first year out? I know they set up a QRU Foundation not too long ago and that was about raising funds for infrastructure (Ballymore I assume), girls and then academy. Now I assume these kids are all signed to the academy, most likely funded by the foundation. Taking this a step further, the Reds tour to the UK this year took a bunch of their foundation donors I think? Might be a bit of guess work, but while the tour was copped some flack for the on-field relevance, if it enabled a few more $$$ in the bank for us to secure these young stars, then all good?

 

[Major Tom]

Reds have signed a couple more teenagers - Nick Conway and Finn Mackay.

They have gone really hard on the next gen - they've announced signings of Kingsley Uys, Will Ross, Bennet Armistead, Levi Slater, Taione Taka and Trevor Pritchard - all of who I think are still at school. And now these two who I think are first year out? I know they set up a QRU Foundation not too long ago and that was about raising funds for infrastructure (Ballymore I assume), girls and then academy. Now I assume these kids are all signed to the academy, most likely funded by the foundation. Taking this a step further, the Reds tour to the UK this year took a bunch of their foundation donors I think? Might be a bit of guess work, but while the tour was copped some flack for the on-field relevance, if it enabled a few more $$$ in the bank for us to secure these young stars, then all good?

Conway is a gun! Good to see him in rugby rather than league.
Mackay has played a bit of HC for souths this year. Big boot and tallish frame (compared to Lynagh and HMP which isn't difficult I guess). I'd say he flip between flyhalf and fullback. Smart signings.
Also should mean all these boys will continue to play together.
Seems like some pretty shrewd club decisions overall. The Italian connection made recently will also be beneficial in the long run.

 

[Red Runner]

I do remember seeing Conway play. Don't know too much of the others except that big prop Uys. Any big backs do you know? Conway and McKay both look scrawny...

 

[Adam84]

Conway looked goods for U20s, a strong hard running style outside back.

 

[Adam84]

I do remember seeing Conway play. Don't know too much of the others except that big prop Uys. Any big backs do you know? Conway and McKay both look scrawny...

They just finished school less then 10months the ago, it’s why they’re in an academy program and not full squad.

 

[Red Runner]

very valid. Was just thinking one of these physical beasts (Sua'ali'i) might appear up this way soon.

Conway's dad was a Bronco - I remember him at school. Pretty big lad. Could kick them from over half way.

 

[Wilson]

Tonga squad:

Reds name 10 debutants in Tonga touring squad

reds.rugby

 

[Wilson]

It'll be interesting to see who pairs Canham in the locks here. Uru and Vest are the obvious choices, but it'd be good to get a look at Brosnan or maybe Muller at lock for at least part of this match given we really need another back up in the squad for next year.

Also keen to see how Conway and Martens go after the under 20s this year, though Conway might not get much of a shot with the other options in the outside backs there.

 

[PhilClinton]

I heard with good authority about 3 months ago that Kohan Herbert had picked up a Japan contract, I believe he and his missus even split up because of it and she wasn't keen to move with him.

Interesting to see him in this squad, things must have changed. Or the mail was wrong which is just as likely.

 

[Wilson]

Expecting something like this:

1 Blake
2 Fourie
3 Fa'agase
4 Canham
5 Brosnan
6 Brial
7 Herbert
8 Uru
9 Thomas
10 Mclaughlin-Phillips
11 Ryan
12 Henry
13 Pakeho
14 Anderson
15 Campbell

16 Hough
17 Harris
18 King
19 Vest
20 Muller
21 Martens
22 Rubens
23 McCulloch

With Bloomfield, Robinson, and Conway the extras. There's a fair bit of flex from a few of those players in terms of position though, and we might get thee coaches keen to see how some of the fringe guys outside the squad go before Super AU so the may mix it up a bit.

 

[Red Runner]

Yes that looks likely, although I really was impressed with young Bloomfield. I'd consider him at tight head with Faagase at loose and then Blake at hooker. I guess it really depends on where the QRU think Blake is best focused. Hooker or loose head? Or do they keep using him for both?

I would assume Jock would be captain from that squad, right?

 

[Red Runner]

also I guess this won't get a stream? Or we won't know until the last minute.

 

[Dctarget]

I heard with good authority about 3 months ago that Kohan Herbert had picked up a Japan contract, I believe he and his missus even split up because of it and she wasn't keen to move with him.

Interesting to see him in this squad, things must have changed. Or the mail was wrong which is just as likely.

We've all come up with the "I need to move to a foreign remote island for work" excuse before to get out of a relationship.

 

[Wilson]

Yes that looks likely, although I really was impressed with young Bloomfield. I'd consider him at tight head with Faagase at loose and then Blake at hooker. I guess it really depends on where the QRU think Blake is best focused. Hooker or loose head? Or do they keep using him for both?

I would assume Jock would be captain from that squad, right?

I think with Faessler, Asiata, Nasser and Craig in the squad Blake is only going to be looked at as a hooker in emergencies and they'll want him focused on his loose head play. This is a good opportunity for Harris at loosehead too, depending on what happens with Hodgman there might be a spot open there for next year and he's been on the fringe for a little while now. Bloomfield v King is pretty much a toss of the coin at this point and could easily go the other way for this match.

No squad captain named in the article but that's probably a safe bet.