Queensland Reds 2026

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I like the guy but does a 3 year commitment mean much anymore?

He had a league contract for 2026 but here we are....

Titans got paid to free up a roster spot after coming second last. Best case scenario when those teams are usually just releasing guys or having to chip in to get them elsewhere for an overhaul. They would have held him for a year if needed because he's on an average salary.

The Reds got someone who is an established play-maker on a long deal.

CG gets to stay in SEQ.

All sides came out ahead.

 

[dillyboy]

Titans got paid to free up a roster spot after coming second last. Best case scenario when those teams are usually just releasing guys or having to chip in to get them elsewhere for an overhaul. They would have held him for a year if needed because he's on an average salary.

The Reds got someone who is an established play-maker on a long deal.

CG gets to stay in SEQ.

All sides came out ahead.

Oh I agree & am glad we've signed him.

My point wasn't really directed at Carter himself just more what's seeming to become more common in modern sport that a 3 year contract doesn't mean 3 years anymore

 

[Strewthcobber]

Oh I agree & am glad we've signed him.

My point wasn't really directed at Carter himself just more what's seeming to become more common in modern sport that a 3 year contract doesn't mean 3 years anymore

I don't think it's that more common than it used to be. Inga Tuiagamala made the same league to union move with a transfer fee at the birth of professionalism

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

We tend to look at the overall detail of a contract and less of the details which can include player/club options and different triggers for incentives.

These also arent prison sentences even though it can seem it depending on the team. A contract now just provides the current holder with a security blanket to negotiate with.

 

[Red Runner]

In a full strength backline (which will never happen), what backline do the Reds run out?

9 Tate
10 Lynagh
11 Campbell
12 Paisami
13 Flook
14 Anderson
15 Gordon

20 Thomas
21 Pakeho
22 Ryan

 

[Major Tom]

In a full strength backline (which will never happen), what backline do the Reds run out?

9 Tate
10 Lynagh
11 Campbell
12 Paisami
13 Flook
14 Anderson
15 Gordon

20 Thomas
21 Pakeho
22 Ryan

That midfield is too small to be full strength IMO.
If Gordan takes over at fullback I would have Ryan on the wing and Campbell off the bench.

 

[TSR]

If we are at full strength I’m not sure Lynagh & Gordon both start. You’ve also forgot Daugunu.

I’d guess
Tate
Gordon/Lynagh
Daugunu
Paisami
Flook
Anderson
Campbell

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Campbell is a much better option at 15 than Gordon right now. Campbell is a deserved pro Fullback at almost any Club side in the world.

 

[TSR]

He’s not quite the player he was though. He has missed quite a bit of footy through injury in the last 2 yrs and, when he has played, he’s not had the impact he was having 2-3 yrs ago. I’d still have him as my first choice, but I can see an argument for Gordon.

 

[Red Runner]

yeah, no way is Campbell the player he once was. Makes far too many mistakes and doesn't assert himself as he should.

 

[TSR]

I understand he had ongoing issues with a leg injury and so had dropped some speed. If he could get that back then I think he’d be fine. I feel like parts of his game have improved like his kicking. But we just don’t see as many line breaks on kick returns.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Get all that and CG may end up being a viable option there and better than Campbell but you are talking about a guy who has 1 career start in the 15 jersey and it being in the 2021. He's then been playing in the halves and Centre in League.

I'd think Murray and Flook would be better options at 15.

 

[Red Runner]

Get all that and CG may end up being a viable option there and better than Campbell but you are talking about a guy who has 1 career start in the 15 jersey and it being in the 2021. He's then been playing in the halves and Centre in League.

I'd think Murray and Flook would be better options at 15.

1 career starts in the 15 jersey is not true. He's played a number of club games there.

By the way...how many games has Flook played there???

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Club games... I'm talking in Pro Rugby. I like watching Club footy too but it's not the same. Almost every Super Rugby back would be a stand out Club 15.

I'm not saying Flook should be given the jersey either, just that I think he's a more viable option right now.

 

[Red Runner]

just that I think he's a more viable option right now.

Than Gordon? Why??

 

[PhilClinton]

Throwing Gordon into fullback in a dream Reds starting side is pretty wild considering the bloke hasn't played rugby in a few years and has about 120mins of total footy under his belt during that time, with none of it being in a position what requires the skills of a rugby fullback.

Wait and see what he brings on Spring Tour.

Fraser McReight played 2 games of inside centre during his club career, maybe he should slot in there to add some size.

 

[TSR]

Throwing Gordon into fullback in a dream Reds starting side is pretty wild considering the bloke hasn't played rugby in a few years and has about 120mins of total footy under his belt during that time, with none of it being in a position what requires the skills of a rugby fullback.

Wait and see what he brings on Spring Tour.

Fraser McReight played 2 games of inside centre during his club career, maybe he should slot in there to add some size.

This comment is just silly.

Harry Wilson has 12 written all over him. How you could ignore that just baffles me.

 

[PhilClinton]

In all seriousness though - RA have clearly brought Gordon back urgently because they see serious deficiencies at flyhalf due to skill shortage and ongoing injury concerns.

Regardless of what official channels say, Kiss would have held a lot of influence over this decision through both his role as Reds and Wallabies coach.

I am expecting Carter to be given quite a long bow to have a crack as both the Wallaby and then Reds flyhalf. Fullback isn't an area of concern going forward for the Wallabies, there are plenty of competent options there who will be fit and firing in 2026/27 such as Wright, Jorgo and even Kellaway if needed.

I also expect Kiss knows more than is being let on about how severe Lynagh's concussion issues are. Him staying home for this entire Spring Tour, whilst his soon to be competitor Carter Gordon is flown in as an emergency just shows how bad it could be.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Kiss also provided an update on Lynagh's road to recovery after the playmaker's injury-forced omission from Australia's Spring Tour squad.

"He's going well, he's actually got a hamstring issue that's just hanging on, and that's the main reason, or the reason that he hasn't been able to get out there and train and play," Kiss said.

"So he hasn't had a lot of volume in running, a lot of volume getting over a ball, hasn't had a lot of volume in his kicking, so we've got an opportunity in the next two weeks to just work on that.

"We've got a plan that we're putting together with RA to make sure that we get that right. He'll have a leave period, and then he'll have a full pre-season with us, and I think that'll be good for him as well.

"It's an opportunity as well as anything for him to get right."

Even without the concussion concerns, this is the second long layoff for hamstring issues in 12 months isn't it? That's not ideal either

 

[Yoda]

Carter will be 10. He's your best.