Tomthumb
John Thornett (49)
True, although there are 3 capped Wallabies that can play there. Injures are always a caveat, but I'm really impressed by the overall team and it's year 3 in the same system which should be a real positive
Queensland Reds 2026
- Thread starter Adam84
- Start date
JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
Same as the previous 2-3 years where we've had a roster good enough.
Reds and Wallabies have the same affliction. We have a team on paper that is good enough to be in and around that Top 4 - but our skill execution in key moments of games lets us down.
I see a lot of positives (Scrummaging could lead the competition, a fit 9/10 combo with Tate/Turbo/Carter is electric, backrow would be up there with best in the world domestically) - but key concerns for me are: Lineout could be an issue unless Fas gets more summer reps in. Our locking depth could be an issue. 9-10 injuries could disrupt our ball service to the backline which lacks size and punch.
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Strewthcobber
Phil Kearns (64)
The Reds have never won a final away from Brisbane, so they probably need to be finishing top 3 to get past week 1 of the finals.
Unfortunately, my genuine expectation is that they won't be able to achieve it. Probably finish 4-5-6, and then lose a quarter final and bounce straight out
Unfortunately, my genuine expectation is that they won't be able to achieve it. Probably finish 4-5-6, and then lose a quarter final and bounce straight out
LeCheese
Tony Shaw (54)
Agree. Tate being unavailable for the first part of the season is a huge blow to their chances - he is so often the difference maker. I expect Kalani to fill the void reasonably well, but we've seen that his execution and decision making is sometimes lacking (I'm sure it will come with time).
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
The issue with rugby in Australia is a lack of depth across all positions.
This issue is even more prevalent when it comes to SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) level where losing 1 or 2 blokes in the same position could potentially mean running out someone straight from clubland which isn't even a professional environment.
I can't see the Reds (or any Aussie SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) team) winning the comp unless the full strength 23 are available for majority of the season and particularly during finals. The chances of that happening are slim but we can remain hopeful.
Losing someone like McReight for an extended period and we may as well close the door on the season - that is the nature of our depth chart. If he hadn't been playing for the Wallabies during the spring tour I reckon some of the scorelines would have exceed 60 points...
This issue is even more prevalent when it comes to SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) level where losing 1 or 2 blokes in the same position could potentially mean running out someone straight from clubland which isn't even a professional environment.
I can't see the Reds (or any Aussie SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) team) winning the comp unless the full strength 23 are available for majority of the season and particularly during finals. The chances of that happening are slim but we can remain hopeful.
Losing someone like McReight for an extended period and we may as well close the door on the season - that is the nature of our depth chart. If he hadn't been playing for the Wallabies during the spring tour I reckon some of the scorelines would have exceed 60 points...
JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
We need some form of lower tier, perhaps a championship on a national level (playing rugby of course) that would be the perfect solution to fill this gap.
Any thoughts anyone?
Wilson
David Wilson (68)
So much is going to come down to injury management, and the somewhat uncontrollable nature of it. The last two seasons have seen large swathes of the squad out injured at key time, particularly last season when there was a fair chunk of the salary cap sitting on the sideline and injuries 3 or 4 deep in key positions.
The flipside of that is if that injury bill can be turned around there's a big opportunity to improve just off the back of player availability, before you consider squad additions and year on year player development. Part of that will be luck, but hopefully there has been a good bit of work done from an S&C perspective.
I'd be a hell of a lot more comfortable with a 3rd string lock and 2nd or 3rd string loosehead prop added to the squad though
The flipside of that is if that injury bill can be turned around there's a big opportunity to improve just off the back of player availability, before you consider squad additions and year on year player development. Part of that will be luck, but hopefully there has been a good bit of work done from an S&C perspective.
I'd be a hell of a lot more comfortable with a 3rd string lock and 2nd or 3rd string loosehead prop added to the squad though
The Phoenix
Ted Fahey (11)
I kept thinking there would be an announcement on a new lock from somewhere, but it didn't happen. We went from having 4 genuine locks last season to 2 in 2026. And in Super Rugby Aus I think we got found out when we played hybrids in the row, especially against the Tahs,
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
Reds can finish top 4.
I think they'll win against all the Aus sides at least once and they get the Highlanders, Chiefs, Crusaders and Drua at Suncorp which is a great chance to get key wins v sides like the Chiefs, Crusaders & Drua who are some of the hardest to spring an away win against.
Aus sides need a home final to be in the fight for the trophy.
Hopefully some good weather for Brisbane this season as well.
Got a drought? Schedule a Reds fixture.
JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
We won't play finals.
rugbyAU
Jim Lenehan (48)
What's the best 23?
1 - Ross
2 - Faessler
3 - Nonggorr
4 - Canham
5 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6 - Brial
7 - McReight
8 - Wilson
9 - McDermott
10 - Lynagh
11 - Daungunu
12 - Paisami
13 - Flook
14 - Anderson
15 - Gordon
Nasser, ?, JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen), Uru, Bryant, Thomas, HMP, Ryan
1 - Ross
2 - Faessler
3 - Nonggorr
4 - Canham
5 - LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto)
6 - Brial
7 - McReight
8 - Wilson
9 - McDermott
10 - Lynagh
11 - Daungunu
12 - Paisami
13 - Flook
14 - Anderson
15 - Gordon
Nasser, ?, JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen), Uru, Bryant, Thomas, HMP, Ryan
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JRugby2
Colin Windon (37)
I can see a world where Lynagh starts at 10 and Gordon plays 15.
The Ghost of Raelene
Tim Horan (67)
I know being underdog is fun but you make finals with a losing record in Super Rugby.
Unless something extraordinary happens to the QLD squad it's one of the best 6 sides in the comp. Winning those top 6 v top 6 encounters is where it separates again though into usually 3 sides that seem capable of winning it all.
dru
Jason Little (69)
No he isn't. Right now he is the Reds coach. All that can come, I may even join your disparagement on the WB coach at that time, but I'll more likely be here talking about the Reds coach. Whoever that might be.
Upthemaroon!
Larry Dwyer (12)
He is certainly more dynamic than Hunter, the only question is if he can get his body (staying) right. The Reds actually have a rather competitive backline with Dre and Henry pushing Flook and Hunter this season. Goldsborough also should be fit again right?
Strewthcobber
Phil Kearns (64)
Wallaby assistant v Super Rugby HC. I wonder which pays more?
Wilson
David Wilson (68)
Super head coach probably does, though it's probably much more variable depending on the experience you bring.
But I think it's also a question of advancement - you can go from Super head coach to just about any coaching job (with enough success on the board), but without a top flight head coaching gig in your past it's hard to make the jump from Wallabies assistant to a tier 1 head coaching gig, even in a straight succession to the Wallabies job.