Queensland Reds 2026

[Trev]

There is no doubt that Carter and Tom have the better skillset and higher ceiling. Harry should want to spend 2026 watching how Carter trains and conducts himself because Phil Waugh, Joe Schmidt and Les Kiss are valuing Carter and his potential. There is no one at the Tahs capable of delivering that kind of IP. I'm not trying to say Carter is the finished product, but better than what we have running around now. Harry might just want to be the main guy but respectfully he doesn't have the ability or experience to do that on his own. He is a long way off closing out a game. Sitting back for 12 months could be the best knowledge he may ever get and this could take him further that a few starts at the Tahs. Tahs will want to bring in a higher level player than what they have rostered, and what then, will Harry move onto the Force.

 

[Trev]

With everything going on in MLR I wouldn't mind seeing the Reds make a play for Holloway as a back up lock. He'd be a good, ready to go addition to the squad for a couple of years while guys like Brosnan and Ross come through, and hopefully not too expensive.

Hockings is said to be running out for Japan, any chance that we get a contract to him before he runs out? Holloway better for the salary cap.

 

[Major Tom]

There is no doubt that Carter and Tom have the better skillset and higher ceiling. Harry should want to spend 2026 watching how Carter trains and conducts himself because Phil Waugh, Joe Schmidt and Les Kiss are valuing Carter and his potential. There is no one at the Tahs capable of delivering that kind of IP. I'm not trying to say Carter is the finished product, but better than what we have running around now. Harry might just want to be the main guy but respectfully he doesn't have the ability or experience to do that on his own. He is a long way off closing out a game. Sitting back for 12 months could be the best knowledge he may ever get and this could take him further that a few starts at the Tahs. Tahs will want to bring in a higher level player than what they have rostered, and what then, will Harry move onto the Force.

Disagree. HMP could be better anything. We haven’t seen the best of him yet so he’s ceiling is very high. I like lynagh, but I doubt we see him develop much more which I’m fine with because I like what he’s got already. He just needs to protect his head.
HMP is such an attacking threat. The game he started against one of the kiwi teams this year showed how dangerous he could be (dropped the ball over the line game).

 

[Trev]

Disagree. HMP could be better anything. We haven’t seen the best of him yet so he’s ceiling is very high. I like lynagh, but I doubt we see him develop much more which I’m fine with because I like what he’s got already. He just needs to protect his head.
HMP is such an attacking threat. The game he started against one of the kiwi teams this year showed how dangerous he could be (dropped the ball over the line game).

I like Finn Mackay. Reds new 10 jersey signings, Carter, Ben and Finn, all over 6 ft 2.

 

[Wilson]

Don’t think he’d come on backup money though. He is probably the marquee for whatever they’re calling the Legion now and he went there with his Wife being from the US right?

I doubt he was on a massive amount for Legion, I'm not sure there's a lot of money floating around MLR, even for the marquee players. It seems like his focus was more on being in the US than a big money deal. With MLR announcing a focus on US qualified and pathway talent going forward and the merger between the California sides leaving his contract up in the air I'm not sure he'll have an easy time staying. Might also not want to if the side isn't based in San Diego anymore.

As far as how much he'll cost now I'm not sure, but I doubt it would be more than Blyth/Smith would've cost to stay, with both of them probably more interested in getting somewhere where they feel they're going to start regularly. It'll probably largely be down to whether or not he wants to make his way back to Australia to settle in or if he's willing to chase a bigger paycheck elsewhere, and move his family again.

The biggest caveat is probably R360 - if he's on their radar it'll be a much larger offer and probably allow him to continue living in San Diego (or anywhere else he wants), but I'm not sure he fits the bill for what they were looking for, given his age and time since playing for the wallabies (last game was pre-world cup). Either way it can't really hurt for us to make a play.

 

[Wilson]

Hockings is said to be running out for Japan, any chance that we get a contract to him before he runs out? Holloway better for the salary cap.

No chance of Hockings at this stage. RA would need to come to the party to bring him back on big coin, but I'm pretty sure it's too late for that. The time would've been when the League one eligibility rules changed, but if that didn't shift his thinking it's not going to change now. He'll be capped for Japan before the year is done.

 

[Trev]

Disagree. HMP could be better anything. We haven’t seen the best of him yet so he’s ceiling is very high. I like lynagh, but I doubt we see him develop much more which I’m fine with because I like what he’s got already. He just needs to protect his head.
HMP is such an attacking threat. The game he started against one of the kiwi teams this year showed how dangerous he could be (dropped the ball over the line game).

A shift to centre?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

How much is a marquee signing in the MLR making though? I think the family ties might be the bigger issue. You’d imagine if he was chasing coin then he’d find a home easy enough in Japan, the UK or France.

It totally depends on individuals stepping in similar to JAS and RA. I know of a few guys that get private assistance on top of whatever the club can give them.

They they and be strict but it’s a semi pro administration set up trying to run a pro comp.

 

[Major Tom]

A shift to centre?

I don’t see HMP shifting to centre mainly because we’re well and truly covered there and he’s not imposing in defence. I can see a world where you have lynagh at 10 with Carter at inside and HMP on the bench.

 

[Rugby110]

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.

Trev, I looked at his 2024 league highlights too. Try scoring machine and no wonder Titans wanted a release fee. Do you think his return to union was just about the World Cup or he genuinely likes union over league as a game. Christie Doran should invite him in on a Monday and give us the scoop on his podcast.
Four flyhalves at the Reds, with one really happy, one happy to get game time, and two others needing to train like crazy.