Queensland Reds 2026

[Major Tom]

Word on the street is he will be released from the Reds contracts and sign up with Tahs for 2026

It’s ultimately good for Aus rugby but sucks as a reds supporter. This is alignment I guess.

 

[Ignoto]

Can Ben Vunivola play 15? With Jock getting taken out by a sniper during Super Rugby AU, I'd be saying we need to ensure we've got adequate coverage for him before releasing players.

I know we have Murray, but he's either not been fit or Les has shown Murray is down the pecking list.

 

[Beattie]

Word on the street is he will be released from the Reds contracts and sign up with Tahs for 2026

HMP has reacted hastily. Gordon arriving has pushed him back from 2 to 3 poll. Lynagh has had a run of injuries and it’s unknown if issues continue. I’d be hedging my bets in Queensland rather than NSW.
At the Tahs he will be further down the pecking order but he probably has more chance of gaining if he improves. Joey Fowler is my bet for the player who will end up with the jersey long term and then there is Bowen. Debreczeni and Creighton more established than HMP currently. Whispers that Will Harrison returning home at some point.

 

[Strewthcobber]

HMP has reacted hastily. Gordon arriving has pushed him back from 2 to 3 poll. Lynagh has had a run of injuries and it’s unknown if issues continue. I’d be hedging my bets in Queensland rather than NSW.
At the Tahs he will be further down the pecking order but he probably has more chance of gaining if he improves. Joey Fowler is my bet for the player who will end up with the jersey long term and then there is Bowen. Debreczeni and Creighton more established than HMP currently. Whispers that Will Harrison returning home at some point.

Volavola's signing has made this equation tougher for HMP

 

[Beattie]

Looks like Gordon is a done deal, to be announced on Monday:

Titans experiment over as former Wallaby released effective immediately

Titans experiment over as former Wallaby released effective immediately

www.foxsports.com.au

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/10/10/the-golden-boy-is-back-gordon-set-for-wallabies-return-after-nrl-club-accepts-rugby-australias-transfer-fee/

Awesome signing and welcome home Carter. Good vision having him and Lynagh working together covering the 10 jersey. This should be the Wallabies 10 & 22.

 

[Beattie]

Volavola's signing has made this equation tougher for HMP

Outside back and can cover 10. A lot can happen in a season. I haven’t seen Volavola play in years.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Outside back and can cover 10. A lot can happen in a season. I haven’t seen Volavola play in years.

He’s a 10 who can just cover 15 at stretch. Last game at 15 was 21/22 other than that he’s been a bench 10.

He’s 34 and a break glass in case of emergency. He’s not going to equal more wins for the Reds.

 

[TSR]

He’s a 10 who can just cover 15 at stretch. Last game at 15 was 21/22 other than that he’s been a bench 10.

He’s 34 and a break glass in case of emergency. He’s not going to equal more wins for the Reds.

He might prevent losses though if we have a couple of injuries. Especially if McLaughlin-Phillips does go.

 

[Beattie]

He might prevent losses though if we have a couple of injuries. Especially if McLaughlin-Phillips does go.

Is he better than HMP?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Likely no. I’d guess HMP would have played more footy as well in the last couple years.

Old head but shouldn’t stress too much. Gonna was in that role last year and it didn’t cost the Reds the season.

 

[Beattie]

Likely no. I’d guess HMP would have played more footy as well in the last couple years.

Old head but shouldn’t stress too much. Gonna was in that role last year and it didn’t cost the Reds the season.

He was behind Pollard and probably on par with Shillcock. Volavola will bring a mature head and experience. This will be better for Gordon and Lynagh.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Outside back and can cover 10. A lot can happen in a season. I haven’t seen Volavola play in years.

He's a bench 10 option these days (although still a good one - on the bench for Leicester in prem finals 4 months ago)

90% of his games have been at 10 and he hasn't gotten quicker with age

 

[Caputo]

So the $100K from RA will still benefit Waratahs

 

[Major Tom]

Volavola's signing has made this equation tougher for HMP

I wonder if the Volavola one was done before it was realised Carter was gettable. In any case it’s more that Gordon has jumped ahead of him that’s the issue for him. Personally, I think it’s better that he sticks it out for a year (try and win a title with the reds) and then head to the tahs where he’s got to compete the Creighton, Bowen and Fowler anyways. Granted I think he’s a better chance of starting there. And you never know, injuries could bite. I actually think the force need a flyhalf more though.

 

[TSR]

Is he better than HMP?

I don’t think so. But I don’t think that is the point.. At the time that they signed him the point was whether he was worth a spot in the squad to give depth at 10 and sone coverage elsewhere. Plus it doesn’t hurt to add a bit of experience to the playmaking stiocks.

I think the comparison with HMP is whether Gordon is better and, at this point, the likely answer is yes.

 

[Wilson]

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.

 

[TSR]

I wonder if the Volavola one was done before it was realised Carter was gettable. In any case it’s more that Gordon has jumped ahead of him that’s the issue for him. Personally, I think it’s better that he sticks it out for a year (try and win a title with the reds) and then head to the tahs where he’s got to compete the Creighton, Bowen and Fowler anyways. Granted I think he’s a better chance of starting there. And you never know, injuries could bite. I actually think the force need a flyhalf more though.

You’d imagine at the very least the Reds weren’t sure on Gordon and probably felt they couldn’t afford to wait.

I’t would be great if HMP were to stick around and fight for his spot. You’d think he remains a realistic bench option at least. But you can also see how this might be the perfect time for him to go to the Tahs and, if he can get himself to front of the queue, then he has the opportunity to play regular starting rugby. And if he gets to that point then suddenly, as we’ve seen this year, the Wallabies becomes within closer reach too.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

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.

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?

 

[TSR]

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.

Like the idea. He’d be a great addition to the squad.

 

[TSR]

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?

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.