Queensland Reds 2026

[PhilClinton]

Having depth in key positions is never a bad thing so if it is possible to bring Carter in, that would be great.

It does leave a question mark over Lynagh's development though, particularly if he stays healthy.

We currently have a whole bunch of 10s in Australia who simply aren't that great, and I am not sure Carter is going to blow their socks off if he comes back. Does having more options who are simply average in a key position make it harder to find any consistency?

It is kind of like the All Blacks since Dan Carter retired. They were head and shoulders above everyone when he was their standout flyhalf (and the guys under him like Donald and Cruden were pushed hard to be as good). You always felt like the team had better cohesion with him running the show. Since then, they've had a number of very good players like Mo'unga, Barrett and McKenzie taking the helm but haven't found that same level of dominance.

In comparison, none of our flyhalves in the past 10 years have held a candle to any of those blokes either and we haven't been able to find 'the one'.

 

[Strewthcobber]

You could make a pretty good argument that our development pathways haven't produced a world class 10 since Lynagh, and probably only two "really good" ones - maybe 4?

(Larkham being produced by the pro system)

 

[Tomthumb]

I think it depends on what standard you deem someone "world class". If Dan Carter's the standard then there isn't a world class 10 playing today

 

[Strewthcobber]

I think it depends on what standard you deem someone "world class". If Dan Carter's the standard then there isn't a world class 10 playing today

In the discussion for a "world team". Maybe 3 or 4 x 10s at any one time (unless DC is conquering all)

 

[LeCheese]

Some sad news today

Jordan Dog Training

Red Dog says goodbye. Please think of him over the next 30 minutes as his wings grow and as he crosses over the Rainbow Bridge, pain free to see his brothers. Love You Red Dog, more than words can...

www.facebook.com

 

[Rugby King]

Is this the same Carter Gordon that left the Reds in '21 for the Rebels because we wasn't getting what he believed he deserved, bombed at the last World Cup and deserted rugby altogether to join one of the worst performing NRL teams, the Titian's, again because he wasn't given what he wanted.? Surely our wonderful code has more pride than this.
Just asking.
Where does that leave the young, loyal up and coming players? Surely a bitter taste and maybe looking for better opportunities elsewhere, maybe even overseas.

RA don’t reward loyalty.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think it depends on what standard you deem someone "world class". If Dan Carter's the standard then there isn't a world class 10 playing today

I think almost everyone recognises when a guy has 'got it' you may not put up immediate metrics but you can just tell he has it and doesn't look like an odd one out on a Test field. It can come with age but also a guy like Jorgo has it.

I will say though we would benefit massively from a couple Super Rugby sides going very deep in the comp and a win would shift a lot for players. We are picking from groups of guys who skirt around the sides of real success. They can't bring any swagger to Test footy when they are then lining up against players who have routinely beaten them.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

RA don’t reward loyalty.

Do players and player agents?

Unfortunately for some this isn't the amateur era anymore where this stuff held more weight. All sides involved have interests and demands that must be met. It will never be a fully homeostatic environment.

 

[Tomthumb]

I think almost everyone recognises when a guy has 'got it' you may not put up immediate metrics but you can just tell he has it and doesn't look like an odd one out on a Test field. It can come with age but also a guy like Jorgo has it.

I will say though we would benefit massively from a couple Super Rugby sides going very deep in the comp and a win would shift a lot for players. We are picking from groups of guys who skirt around the sides of real success. They can't bring any swagger to Test footy when they are then lining up against players who have routinely beaten them.

For that to happen we need to get rid of the mental block we have when we play NZ teams. As soon as things go wrong against them we just melt for some reason

 

[Homer]

I may have missed something but Deluttis not in the Aust A team. Is he injured again?

 

[Wilson]

I may have missed something but Deluttis not in the Aust A team. Is he injured again?

He had a foot injury at the end of Super Aus, so that could still be the case. Alternatively he could also be making the wallabies squad, particularly with Tupou likely to be unavailable for a couple of games on the tour.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Assume Kalani Thomas is to be added to the Wallabies?

 

[Major Tom]

Assume Kalani Thomas is to be added to the Wallabies?

Which would leave the Reds with Martens and Cartwright for the Wild knights game.

 

[TSR]

Not a bad outcome. Martens looks a very exciting prospect to me.

I’m a bit mixed on the news Gordon might come back. I think he is a tremendous talent and with some consistent time on the field could really kick on. But I’m not really a fan of having lots of guys with higher level potential in the one position. I know it’s a God send when you cop some injuries but I think we saw with the locks last year, and even with the role sharing by Lynagh & McLaughlin-Phillips last year sometimes I feel it just reduces a teams consistently with the chopping and changing.

 

[Adam84]

Might be some tough chat’s to have.

Reds also have Finn McKay signed until 2027 who is a pretty well rounded at this stage of development.

my concern about HMP is his kicking game, it’s pretty average and doesn’t look to have improved. Like Tane Edmed neither get any real distance other kicks.

 

[Trev]

Might be some tough chat’s to have.

Reds also have Finn McKay signed until 2027 who is a pretty well rounded at this stage of development.

my concern about HMP is his kicking game, it’s pretty average and doesn’t look to have improved. Like Tane Edmed neither get any real distance other kicks.

Finn Mackay is 6ft 2” and will benefit from having a player like Carter around who is the same height and bigger body type. There are a few similarities there.

 

[Trev]

Not a bad outcome. Martens looks a very exciting prospect to me.

I’m a bit mixed on the news Gordon might come back. I think he is a tremendous talent and with some consistent time on the field could really kick on. But I’m not really a fan of having lots of guys with higher level potential in the one position. I know it’s a God send when you cop some injuries but I think we saw with the locks last year, and even with the role sharing by Lynagh & McLaughlin-Phillips last year sometimes I feel it just reduces a teams consistently with the chopping and changing.

Injuries this year stretched us with Jock having to slot into flyhalf a few times. Tom and Harry both had leg injuries and mandated time out for concussion. Mason didn’t see the beginning of round 1 due to concussions.
Carter will be a positive addition to the group with his work ethic and leadership. He apparently blitzed the fitness testing in the Titans preseason winning the Bronco twice. I recall Mason won the Reds Bronco this year.
Finn most likely not up for a start next year or maybe the year after. Ben coming in a good backup for Jock and at flyhalf if required.
Tom recalled back into Wallabies and potentially Carter too. Harry getting a run in the Australia A. You couldn’t ask for better depth at flyhalf which is what we have lacked for years.

Googling tonight and found Carter’s Rebels highlights which got me more excited about his potential signing. Worth a look.

 

[Major Tom]

I think you just have to embrace the competition for spots. Lynagh, HMP and Gordon should all be jostling to be the main man. McKay and Volavola pushing them as well. Carter should be able to cover centre and fullback so he’s probably being signed for that reason as well.

 

[Major Tom]

Injuries this year stretched us with Jock having to slot into flyhalf a few times. Tom and Harry both had leg injuries and mandated time out for concussion. Mason didn’t see the beginning of round 1 due to concussions.
Carter will be a positive addition to the group with his work ethic and leadership. He apparently blitzed the fitness testing in the Titans preseason winning the Bronco twice. I recall Mason won the Reds Bronco this year.
Finn most likely not up for a start next year or maybe the year after. Ben coming in a good backup for Jock and at flyhalf if required.
Tom recalled back into Wallabies and potentially Carter too. Harry getting a run in the Australia A. You couldn’t ask for better depth at flyhalf which is what we have lacked for years.

Googling tonight and found Carter’s Rebels highlights which got me more excited about his potential signing. Worth a look.

My thoughts exactly.
Picking up Carter would leave only the 2nd row as a concern for depth.

 

[Trev]

I think you just have to embrace the competition for spots. Lynagh, HMP and Gordon should all be jostling to be the main man. McKay and Volavola pushing them as well. Carter should be able to cover centre and fullback so he’s probably being signed for that reason as well.

Whatever gets us deep into the finals. It has been too long between drinks.