Queensland Reds 2026

[TSR]

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.

I get all of that and largely agree.

If he does come though and all of the 10s stay fit think, for better or worse, Kiss has to pick one and largely stick to him. There is always a bit of room for rotation - particularly on the subs bench. But I don’t think chopping and changing over the season is a great strategy.

 

[Trev]

I get all of that and largely agree.

If he does come though and all of the 10s stay fit think, for better or worse, Kiss has to pick one and largely stick to him. There is always a bit of room for rotation - particularly on the subs bench. But I don’t think chopping and changing over the season is a great strategy.

As long as Kiss fields the team to win. Not up for ‘everyone gets a ribbon’.

 

[PhilClinton]

Reports coming out now that RA have paid a $100k release fee to the GC Titans and Carter Gordon has been released to sign a 2-year deal with the Reds and RA.

His salary was $500k a year at the Titans so I'd imagine he will be on similar plus maybe more.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

You reckon? Was a two year contract worth 600k and I'd say as no NRL side would have been looking to sign him for more than 250k IMO.

Titans just got 100k to free up a roster spot. New coach would be happy.

Good to have him back in Rugby. Wasted doing sfa in RL

 

[PhilClinton]

Interesting - the daily telegraph article I saw said his Titans contract for 2026 was $500k.

I don't think RA would be throwing $100k at the Titans if they weren't planning to bring him back and pay him his current asking price, plus a top up potentially.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Could have been heavily back ended with incentives making the total look bigger on paper. Des did do this Manly and put them in cap hell

 

[rugbyAU]

Reports coming out now that RA have paid a $100k release fee to the GC Titans and Carter Gordon has been released to sign a 2-year deal with the Reds and RA.

His salary was $500k a year at the Titans so I'd imagine he will be on similar plus maybe more.

That’s great news but with four tens it’s a bit crowded there, perhaps one could join the Tahs?

 

[Adam84]

That’s great news but with four tens it’s a bit crowded there, perhaps one could join the Tahs?

Will swap HMP for Sid Harvey given Tahs are overstocked on outside backs

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

No thanks.

Probably would have said yes prior to last season but I think HMP right now sits right alongside Bowen and others in the 10 ranks. I get the need for outside backs and the rise of Harvey and Hendren is an interesting one. I suspect the Brums are also enquiring.

 

[Sully]

That’s great news but with four tens it’s a bit crowded there, perhaps one could join the Tahs?

You already have a Reds 10.

You're welcome by the way.

 

[Ignoto]

Honestly, HMP has had a horrible habit of planting his foot when he recieve the ball meaning he isn't threatening the line and allows the defence to just drift. I'm hoping Carter can show Hamish how to take the ball to the line with speed and then distribute.

 

[Tomthumb]

Great for the Reds having the 3 10's but might not be best for all their developments. All 3 of them need game time, but there is only 1 jersey to go around

 

[Dctarget]

Yeah would rather he went south. Is Kiss still here for 2026 or has he made the move by then?

This pushes HMP out of the fit match day 23. You'd assume Tom gets first dibs at 10, Paisami at 12 with Flook at 13. Carter is a good bench option for 22. can replace both Tom and Paisami who are injury prone. Jock at 15. with Volavola/HMP at 23.

 

[Dctarget]

Reds backline needed some size and talent. With Paisami and Daugunu often out, the backline looked decidedly average for Super, compared to a Gold forward pack.

 

[PhilClinton]

Yeah would rather he went south. Is Kiss still here for 2026 or has he made the move by then?

This pushes HMP out of the fit match day 23. You'd assume Tom gets first dibs at 10, Paisami at 12 with Flook at 13. Carter is a good bench option for 22. can replace both Tom and Paisami who are injury prone. Jock at 15. with Volavola/HMP at 23.

Kiss is still coach for 2026, but you'd imagine Zane Hilton will be doing lots of heavy lifting.

Assuming Carter is heading on Spring Tour, I wouldn't lock Lynagh into starting flyhalf at the Reds just yet. RA are very keen for Carter to come back so you'd imagine he will get a decent crack on the tour to show what he's got.

 

[Dctarget]

What's the prognosis on Tate? Missing a lot/all of Super? Wouldn't hate having the blonde mullet brigade playing together.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Will be interesting to see in 2026 if the Reds continue to be the team that plays wide the least in all of pro club rugby, with the highest percentage of short passes (Opta stats for 24/25).

Is that a Kiss strategy thing, or a by product of McDermott/Lynagh's skill set? There will likley be a different 9 & 10 for at least some of the season (maybe most)

 

[Tomthumb]

What's the prognosis on Tate? Missing a lot/all of Super? Wouldn't hate having the blonde mullet brigade playing together.

Doran said he's touch and go for the start of Super Rugby, but that sounds optimistic

 

[rugbyAU]

Doran said he's touch and go for the start of Super Rugby, but that sounds optimistic

Around 6 months

 

[Wilson]

Will be interesting to see in 2026 if the Reds continue to be the team that plays wide the least in all of pro club rugby, with the highest percentage of short passes (Opta stats for 24/25).

Is that a Kiss strategy thing, or a by product of McDermott/Lynagh's skill set? There will likley be a different 9 & 10 for at least some of the season (maybe most)

I think it was as much to do with the injuries in the available centres as anything else - there was plenty of work being done to protect/limit the exposure of Pakeho and his ruck work leaves a lot to be desired, meaning they didn't want to risk early wide plays. Play was notably more expansive in the first two rounds and final round against the Drua when we went into the game with Paisami/Flook in the centres (admittedly that was Moana and the Drua at home, which does make it easier to play rugby in attack).

Also Jock missing for much of the season didn't help, given he regularly operates as the second playmaker.