Reds 2023

[Wilson]

Adam, it's looking like Fainga'a might be available next year. Would you like to see the Reds go after him? In any case I don't think there will be a Wallaby hooker sitting outside the 23 so you will hopefully be headache free.

The big question with Fainga'a is going to be whether RA are offering him a wallaby top up. Without it I don't know that any Australian side will be able to offer him something price competitive to what he'd be able to get overseas, or potentially even compared to what he's on right now, same as has happened for Salakaia-Loto.

If he does really want to hang around and push for one he might come reasonably cheap on a one year deal though.

 

[Oldschool]

I'm surprised the Oates boys haven been involved with the 7s program

They are not from NSW.....

 

[Purce]

Nems is a very good 12 as well, and has been on record claiming it is his favorite position.

Personally I think he would bring great value to the Reds playing group and organisation. Anyone who has met or spent time with him would know he is one of the most down to earth genuine blokes you could come across. Great mentor to all the players with his experience all over the world, particularly to the islander boys.

Also he didn't start playing consistent good rugby till he was with the crusaders in 2014. I reckon he would have a few more quality years in him.

Without hesitation i'd have him in my 23. He has something our backline doesn't and that's the combination of size, skill and speed. Imagine if we had him running up that 12 channel or off the shoulder of JOC (James O'Connor)/Jock/Tate in the last 30 mins of a game. Would be great to watch. Plus all the space he would create for others. Win/win in my books. Particularly if we got him on the cheap.

 

[Purce]

Also, I posted this in Reds 2022 chat. It is probably more suited to this discussion.

Sooooo what are people's thoughts on the Vunivalu situation? Currently a truckload of money spent for zero return.

IMHO he will have to come out of the blocks firing, and last the rest of the season without injury, to justify another contract anywhere near his current one.

Will his value have come down to the NRL given his lack of footy since 2020 and his increased injury toll? Will that allow us to keep him at a lower price? Word is that Souths(?) Really wanted him but couldn't get the cash together to buy him out of his current contract?

I'm wondering what all this could mean for his contract negotiations. Seem to have been whispers since he came across that he was looking at going back to Loigue. Not necessarily a new trend with them but seems to have been more than usual.

I saw him in 1 game at suncorp last year and he was the most athletic player on the field. No doubt. We just need him fixed and committed to spend that kind of dosh on him again... I think

 

[Jamie]

Also, I posted this in Reds 2022 chat. It is probably more suited to this discussion.

Sooooo what are people's thoughts on the Vunivalu situation? Currently a truckload of money spent for zero return.

IMHO he will have to come out of the blocks firing, and last the rest of the season without injury, to justify another contract anywhere near his current one.

Will his value have come down to the NRL given his lack of footy since 2020 and his increased injury toll? Will that allow us to keep him at a lower price? Word is that Souths(?) Really wanted him but couldn't get the cash together to buy him out of his current contract?

I'm wondering what all this could mean for his contract negotiations. Seem to have been whispers since he came across that he was looking at going back to Loigue. Not necessarily a new trend with them but seems to have been more than usual.

I saw him in 1 game at suncorp last year and he was the most athletic player on the field. No doubt. We just need him fixed and committed to spend that kind of dosh on him again... I think

From a Wallabies perspective, I would love to see him in that gold jersey, but I think we have enough solid wingers fighting for spots.

It will come down to his genuine desire to have a crack in rugby and show his potential if he already has one foot out the door I wouldn't chase him.

Same as any organisation, you want people that want to be there

 

[Derpus]

Even the most hardcore Vunivalu supporters surely couldn't support him being paid another contract by QRU/RA worth $600-$900k per season as reported by various outlets. Unless he comes back for the final 4 games of Super Rugby and scores 10 tries of course and wins us the Grand Final, they can make a statue for him if that's the case.

Josh Addo Carr is seen as one of the NRL's premier wingers and is being paid $500k a year for 4 years by the Bulldogs, that is the high end of contracts for wingers.

I reckon the Dolphins would be considering an offer to Vunivalu which isn't quite that much - maybe $400k a year over 4 years. They've yet to sign any real marquee outside backs, and despite his injuries in recent years, he was a top 5 winger in the NRL for a number of years.

With Vuni's recent injury history, you'd think he would take a longer term deal for a bit less money, assuming the contract was totally guaranteed.

Man you'd take Addo-Carr on 400k over Vunivalu on 600-900k every day of the week.

Are league wingers so reticent to switch that you have to give them a %50 salary hike just to entice them over?

 

[Cancelled Account]

Nems is a very good 12 as well, and has been on record claiming it is his favorite position.

Personally I think he would bring great value to the Reds playing group and organisation. Anyone who has met or spent time with him would know he is one of the most down to earth genuine blokes you could come across. Great mentor to all the players with his experience all over the world, particularly to the islander boys.

Also he didn't start playing consistent good rugby till he was with the crusaders in 2014. I reckon he would have a few more quality years in him.

Without hesitation i'd have him in my 23. He has something our backline doesn't and that's the combination of size, skill and speed. Imagine if we had him running up that 12 channel or off the shoulder of JOC (James O'Connor)/Jock/Tate in the last 30 mins of a game. Would be great to watch. Plus all the space he would create for others. Win/win in my books. Particularly if we got him on the cheap.

All for it. With the recent talk of Stewart and his future, it sounds like the perfect timing with opportunity. Great pairing with Paisami at 13.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Also, I posted this in Reds 2022 chat. It is probably more suited to this discussion.

Sooooo what are people's thoughts on the Vunivalu situation? Currently a truckload of money spent for zero return.

IMHO he will have to come out of the blocks firing, and last the rest of the season without injury, to justify another contract anywhere near his current one.

Will his value have come down to the NRL given his lack of footy since 2020 and his increased injury toll? Will that allow us to keep him at a lower price? Word is that Souths(?) Really wanted him but couldn't get the cash together to buy him out of his current contract?

I'm wondering what all this could mean for his contract negotiations. Seem to have been whispers since he came across that he was looking at going back to Loigue. Not necessarily a new trend with them but seems to have been more than usual.

I saw him in 1 game at suncorp last year and he was the most athletic player on the field. No doubt. We just need him fixed and committed to spend that kind of dosh on him again... I think

I just don’t see Vunivalu as a promising investment. We’ve all heard the rumours that he wants to head back to league but I’m not sure the Storm want him back. Other clubs will.

 

[TSR]

Have we heard anything credible on Stewarts future though?

He may well be leaving, and people on here may well be in the know (no doubt some definitely are). But none of the posts I’ve read on here make me think it’s a sure think.

 

[Adam84]

Have we heard anything credible on Stewarts future though?

He may well be leaving, and people on here may well be in the know (no doubt some definitely are). But none of the posts I’ve read on here make me think it’s a sure think.

No just poster speculation

 

[Cancelled Account]

Have we heard anything credible on Stewarts future though?

He may well be leaving, and people on here may well be in the know (no doubt some definitely are). But none of the posts I’ve read on here make me think it’s a sure think.

Gervais_rugbylives mentioned that Stewart wasn’t going to be around in 2023 and apparently they’re in the know. I really hope that this poster is wrong because Stewart is a valuable player and the Reds are magic with him at 12. Fingers crossed we see a re-signing post soon.

 

[Cancelled Account]

No just poster speculation

Hope so.

 

[Wilson]

Line out remains an issue this year. While it'd be good to sign a specialist in the open second row spot is it also time to consider a specialist lineout coach? It's the one part of our game that hasn't really improved (and has probably gone backwards losing Rodda, Hockings and BPA).

Ben Mowen is in Brisbane and seems like a good option in this role, is there anyone else kicking around who could add something here?

 

[Silverado]

Tupou has been cited so he’d have to be a big chance of missing this week v the Tahs. Who actually have Bell under doubt after he came off with back spasms on the weekend

Wrong thread?

 

[The Phoenix]

Further on Hamish Stewart. He is having an outstanding season but is obviously not anywhere near Rennie's plans, so he should probably now head overseas to try and cash in on his good form. With a name like that, surely he's Scotland qualified somehow. I would love him to stay with the Reds, but it must be hard to stay motivated when you are not being considered for higher honours despite how well you are playing. There would be a number of others in the same boat - Wright, Hoopert, ASY (Angus Scott-Young) etc - and that's just the Reds. Fergus Lee Warner. Or I suppose they could all move to the Waratahs...

 

[PhilClinton]

Wright being a capped Wallaby puts him into a bit of a different bracket to the others, as certain leagues around the world restrict the number of internationally capped players.

But definitely someone like Stewart is at the peak of his value at the moment, still young and has 5 seasons of Super Rugby under his belt without being internationally capped.

 

[Wilson]

Vunivalu not gone yet:

Suliasi Vunivalu: On his future and imminent Reds return

Frustrated flyer Suliasi Vunivalu has revealed he wants to stay in rugby but won’t make a call on his future until his juices are flowing again on the field.

www.rugby.com.au

“I’d like to stay in rugby but I’m not going to make any decision (on 2023) until I’m back on the field and have played three or four games,” Vunivalu said.

Here's hoping the hamstring holds and it all come together from there, the guy is a sensational talent.

 

[dru]

Vunivalu not gone yet:

Suliasi Vunivalu: On his future and imminent Reds return

Frustrated flyer Suliasi Vunivalu has revealed he wants to stay in rugby but won’t make a call on his future until his juices are flowing again on the field.

www.rugby.com.au

Here's hoping the hamstring holds and it all come together from there, the guy is a sensational talent.

That's the best news I've had all week. Completely happy with Vunivalu's position on his future and with a bit of luck the hammies will allow him to love rugger again.

 

[emuarse]

Also, I posted this in Reds 2022 chat. It is probably more suited to this discussion.

Sooooo what are people's thoughts on the Vunivalu situation? Currently a truckload of money spent for zero return.

IMHO he will have to come out of the blocks firing, and last the rest of the season without injury, to justify another contract anywhere near his current one.

Will his value have come down to the NRL given his lack of footy since 2020 and his increased injury toll? Will that allow us to keep him at a lower price? Word is that Souths(?) Really wanted him but couldn't get the cash together to buy him out of his current contract?

I'm wondering what all this could mean for his contract negotiations. Seem to have been whispers since he came across that he was looking at going back to Loigue. Not necessarily a new trend with them but seems to have been more than usual.

I saw him in 1 game at suncorp last year and he was the most athletic player on the field. No doubt. We just need him fixed and committed to spend that kind of dosh on him again... I think

And not much more than uninformed whispers. Why would he want to go back to league when he can make a motza in Europe/Japan, after the world cup. This assuming he stays fit. I mean, if he turns out to be a croc, then I doubt if even NRL would pay much for his services.

 

[Wilson]

EPISODE 31: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Stuart Lancaster - GOLD DIGGER: The search for Australian rugby

We've talked cohesion in the past and you just can't mention the word without mentioning the most cohesive professional rugby club in the world right now, Leinster Rugby. So who better than Leinster's current senior coach and former England head c...

www.buzzsprout.com

Was listening to this interview with Stuart Lancaster and at one point they get to talking about his application to coach the Reds in 2016 and then the Brisbane club scene when he drops an interesting little throw away line:

Around the 41 minute mark: (on the Brisbane club scene) "I have a reasonable knowledge of this at the moment because my son potentially might be coming out. Honestly it's going to depend on how it plays out, contracts and everything else, to play in the Brisbane competition"

His son Dan is a flyhalf/centre turning 21 this year and has played age grade for both Scotland and England and has a handful of games for Leicester Tigers and Nottingham in the championship. Has anyone heard anything and do we expect he might pop up in reds colours next year?