Queensland Reds 2026

[TSR]

I always thought Uru was better at backrow.

But his best year for the Reds was two years ago as a lock.

I don’t see him ever pushing for higher honours as a lock, but he’s very able at Super level.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I always thought Uru was better at backrow.

But his best year for the Reds was two years ago as a lock.

I don’t see him ever pushing for higher honours as a lock, but he’s very able at Super level.

You reckon? I always thought he played best at 6 in a more ranging role where he could pick and choose his moments, especially early on when he was lighter.

The added ruck responsibility and weight seems to have nullified his best attributes, in my view anyway.

 

[TSR]

I agree as a player that his strengths appear best suited to 6 or 8.

I’m just saying that the best season he has played at the Reds, IMO, was 2 yrs ago. And, from memory, he played predominantly as a lock. I don’t remember it nullifying his game at all.

Which doesn't mean that lock is his best spot - maybe he would have been even better at 6 - but it does say to me that he is effective there at Super level.

 

[dru]

I agree as a player that his strengths appear best suited to 6 or 8.

I’m just saying that the best season he has played at the Reds, IMO, was 2 yrs ago. And, from memory, he played predominantly as a lock. I don’t remember it nullifying his game at all.

Which doesn't mean that lock is his best spot - maybe he would have been even better at 6 - but it does say to me that he is effective there at Super level.

It sort of implies that at least one lock will be playing a little wide of the ruck. Are we strong enough in front row + the other lock to deal with that? It's not as if we don't have talent in back row for dynamism.

It's workable but far from ideal and does little for Uru's career imo.

 

[TSR]

It sort of implies that at least one lock will be playing a little wide of the ruck. Are we strong enough in front row + the other lock to deal with that? It's not as if we don't have talent in back row for dynamism.

It's workable but far from ideal and does little for Uru's career imo.

Salakai-Loto, Canham & Uru are all athletic guys with passing/offloading games. From the very little I’ve seen of Muller he’s very mobile as well. It says to me the are going to continue to play pretty up tempo. I’m not sure it necessarily means they play in the wider channels - maybe.

My only point in all this was that I feel the best year that Uru has had with the Reds was a year he played mainly lock. Not that it’s his best position, it’s a great move for his rep aspirations or that it’s ideal for the Reds.

For what it’s worth I’d prefer we still had Smith or Blyth on the books and even reading that Blyth had reported for his first Waratahs training session the other day was a sad news day for me.

 

[dru]

Salakai-Loto, Canham & Uru are all athletic guys with passing/offloading games. From the very little I’ve seen of Muller he’s very mobile as well. It says to me the are going to continue to play pretty up tempo. I’m not sure it necessarily means they play in the wider channels - maybe.

My only point in all this was that I feel the best year that Uru has had with the Reds was a year he played mainly lock. Not that it’s his best position, it’s a great move for his rep aspirations or that it’s ideal for the Reds.

For what it’s worth I’d prefer we still had Smith or Blyth on the books and even reading that Blyth had reported for his first Waratahs training session the other day was a sad news day for me.

For the life of me, TSR, I don't understand what "up tempo" and "passing/offlaoding" has to do with going up the guts. It suggests setting off from the ruck and able to offload. It's a role I would traditionally see with the loose forwards, and the tight stuff I would traditionally see through the locks. Though it seems we are in "argumentative agreement"?

I agree that Uru best position is not lock, it's why I've been speaking on this issue. Worse than that though, in terms of modern rugby that pack seems to me unbalanced and will need novel thinking.

I am completely with you that we'd be better with Smith or Blyth.

 

[PhilClinton]

I’m quite nervous about this season.

Personnel wise we are okay - some great core players and gun young ones who should keep us competitive if they can mostly stay fit.

But the whole Schmidt, Kiss and then new Reds coach transition is going to cause some unrest if the guys don’t get some early wins on the board.

Have heard the 2027 job has been guaranteed to Zane Hilton if he wants it. How the players adjust to what will essentially be a handover season will be crucial.

I don’t doubt Kiss is highly professional and committed, but he’d have to turn off all electronic devices and live in a vacuum if the pressure of what awaits him at the Wallabies doesn’t start creeping into his day to day life, particularly at the back end of the season.

There is a part of me that would prefer we rip the bandaid off and announce new head coach for 2026 with Kiss as advisor, I’m sure a few at RA would feel the same so he can focus on the Wallabies.

 

[Major Tom]

I’m quite nervous about this season.

Personnel wise we are okay - some great core players and gun young ones who should keep us competitive if they can mostly stay fit.

But the whole Schmidt, Kiss and then new Reds coach transition is going to cause some unrest if the guys don’t get some early wins on the board.

Have heard the 2027 job has been guaranteed to Zane Hilton if he wants it. How the players adjust to what will essentially be a handover season will be crucial.

I don’t doubt Kiss is highly professional and committed, but he’d have to turn off all electronic devices and live in a vacuum if the pressure of what awaits him at the Wallabies doesn’t start creeping into his day to day life, particularly at the back end of the season.

There is a part of me that would prefer we rip the bandaid off and announce new head coach for 2026 with Kiss as advisor, I’m sure a few at RA would feel the same so he can focus on the Wallabies.

I’m nervous because we’ll probably get hit with injuries at LHP or 2nd row where we don’t have depth.

 

[rugbyAU]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/11/09/exclusive-youngest-lynagh-to-follow-wallaby-tom-to-queensland-reds/

"After weeks of quiet negotiations, which included a meeting with current Reds coach and incoming Wallabies boss Les Kiss, it’s understood the deal was signed in recent days. An announcement is expected imminently."

 

[Major Tom]

This is some more good recruiting and PR from the Reds. Seems it’s pretty likely that Tom will link up with Benetton at some point to play with his brother. So I think that probably aids us holding on to HMP.