TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Any news on additional prop signings Reg?
Reds 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
yes Wigan is. Thought Usher was more a hooker?
The Nomad
Bob Davidson (42)
The GC Bulletin still writes about rugby, couple of stories in this weekend about the local comp. The Sunshine Coast local papers and regional TV news also do quite a few pieces on local rugby. It’s Brisbane that misses out with the 9/ Stan link one of the few that give rugby some air time.
Well done the regionals!
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
I find it a bit odd the level to which Qld seems to have diminished in people’s calculations.
Tupou’s loss is massive - no doubt. And the injuries to Hoopert and Nasser also significant as it takes out what conceivably could have been our starting front row.
Is there any other spot though that, at this stage, we aren’t at least as strong or stronger? I’d prefer to have LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) & ASY (Angus Scott-Young) still on our books - but neither featured that much last year so I will confess I am discounting their value a bit. Luke Jones is a good pick up. Stewart is a loss, but Paisami & Flook are both excellent and Henry appears pretty handy too. A fit and firing O’Connor & Vunivalu would be a big plus. Phil Blake would appear a great addition to the coaching group and Heenan appears well and truly to have earned his step up.
We need to be better than last year - no doubt - but it would appear to me that is entirely possible.
Tupou’s loss is massive - no doubt. And the injuries to Hoopert and Nasser also significant as it takes out what conceivably could have been our starting front row.
Is there any other spot though that, at this stage, we aren’t at least as strong or stronger? I’d prefer to have LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) & ASY (Angus Scott-Young) still on our books - but neither featured that much last year so I will confess I am discounting their value a bit. Luke Jones is a good pick up. Stewart is a loss, but Paisami & Flook are both excellent and Henry appears pretty handy too. A fit and firing O’Connor & Vunivalu would be a big plus. Phil Blake would appear a great addition to the coaching group and Heenan appears well and truly to have earned his step up.
We need to be better than last year - no doubt - but it would appear to me that is entirely possible.
Adam84
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Tupou is a massive loss, likewise Hooperts injury. That is probably the starting prop pair gone, that alone could derail the season. A lot of pressure on Zander, Fa’agase and Nonngor to step up.
I’m with you on LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) and ASY (Angus Scott-Young), they are a loss, but I think they'll be offset with the Jones signing and even Wright returning from injury. I’ve been impressed with Smiths and Blythe development the past 12 months also.
Scrums aside, I think the Reds will be an improvement on last year. But happy for the Brumbies and Waratahs fans to claim the pre-season championship
Tupou is a massive loss for sure. But it's not dire. Its definitely exacerbated by the other prop injuries.
We lose his game breaking runs, but we can work around that. It's not as if we have to find another THP to make those runs. We just have to change our attack structures as a team. And the coaches will have time to plan for that. He's a dynamic scrummager but gives away heaps of penalties, so we just have to work for a strong scrum. His defense is questionable at times, so hopefully our replacement can be stronger there.
I don't know who is the preference for the 3 jersey now but I do hope ZOnggorr gets some regular game time.
We lose his game breaking runs, but we can work around that. It's not as if we have to find another THP to make those runs. We just have to change our attack structures as a team. And the coaches will have time to plan for that. He's a dynamic scrummager but gives away heaps of penalties, so we just have to work for a strong scrum. His defense is questionable at times, so hopefully our replacement can be stronger there.
I don't know who is the preference for the 3 jersey now but I do hope ZOnggorr gets some regular game time.
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
Who will provide that X-factor in the forwards now?
For all their perceived laziness at times, it was mostly Tupou and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) who would take it on their shoulders to bend the gain line in tight. Wilson seems to prefer that space a bit wider.
I think Uru could be the key contributor in terms of getting us on the front foot. But unfortunately I’m not sure he even cracks the starting team, depending on the balance they’re going for.
If our forwards can set a good platform, I can see lots of ball making it out to Flook, Campbell and hopefully a firing Vunivalu, that will cause headaches.
For all their perceived laziness at times, it was mostly Tupou and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) who would take it on their shoulders to bend the gain line in tight. Wilson seems to prefer that space a bit wider.
I think Uru could be the key contributor in terms of getting us on the front foot. But unfortunately I’m not sure he even cracks the starting team, depending on the balance they’re going for.
If our forwards can set a good platform, I can see lots of ball making it out to Flook, Campbell and hopefully a firing Vunivalu, that will cause headaches.
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
Yep, I hope for the Reds sake he has a cracker and plays himself into the Wallabies squad for RWC. Harry (and his brother Will) are great blokes, really well liked in rugby circles and very social. Harry has been pretty vocal about some of the disappointments the last few years have brought him selection wise.
Had a beer with a former Reds coach over the holidays and their opinion is Rennie’s biggest selection misstep (of which there are numerous) has actually been not fostering a good relationship with Wilson and keeping him within the Wallabies environment. You’ve got a 23yr old kid essentially, still growing into his frame and honing his craft, has proven he can already match it with the All Blacks and then gets left out to dry in back to back campaigns.
Anyway, a conversation for another thread.
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
What would be the hold up? Based on prior posts he was medically retired, so I’m guessing medical clearance?
It seems obvious the Reds want to pickup an experienced prop, I mentioned pre Christmas they had even sounded out a recently returned from retirement Kirwan Sanday, but Ravai is a much better player.
liquor box
Greg Davis (50)
I would start Creighton this season with JOC (James O'Connor) from the bench and hope that by seasons end we are able to have Lynagh on the bench and getting some time at 10.
With JOC (James O'Connor) getting closer to the end of his Reds career we need to get something happening in the 10 position for the future or we will have a dismal few years ahead.
rodha
Dave Cowper (27)
Hamish Stewart & Josh Flook have the most potential there and should ideally be developed as the next 10's after O'Connor. Both of them like Paisami, are too small to excel in the midfield at international level (hell, even Brian O'Driscoll would be significantly less effective today at 93kg considering the direction the game has trended at elite level) but both of them are natural playmakers and former schoolboy first-fives I believe.
Flook at 10????