QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[SouthernX]

What's driving all of the player movement? Have the clubs found a few extra $$$ to attract some talent?

It's either $$$ driven, or potentially a few of them see this as a good opportunity to be making a push in Australian rugby and into a SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) team.

I can’t speak for other clubs but Wests has been a good stepping stone for players coming from Fiji/NZ to greener grass in pro rugby landscape.

I wonder how QPR as a stepping stone compares to Shute shield though?

Qpr 9 teams - squads are more stacked

Shute shield - 13 teams, more player dilution and a salary cap system to spread around the pro players

 

[Major Tom]

doing gods work @Jimmy_Crouch legend!

Also, just announced Norths have picked up former wallaby and waratah Taqele Naiyaravoro!

Huge Signing.

Lessgooo Norths!

Literally huge

 

[noknowledgeatall]

What's driving all of the player movement? Have the clubs found a few extra $$$ to attract some talent?

NZ economy is stuffed so plenty of blokes looking for any opportunity to get off the land of the long white cloud.

 

[rapt]

Also rumours the club rugby scene in NZ has died off a fair bit

 

[Pfitzy]

Shute shield - 13 teams, more player dilution and a salary cap system to spread around the pro players

12 clubs, and most of the talent collected at a few. More money overall but not like every club spends up to the same amount.

I can't remember if there is an actual cap or whether the player points system is the limiter

 

[Elwee's Loo]

There has been some fascinating recruiting.

Easts certainly have done some great work, but will Simon Craig have the man-management skills to make this a cohesive group in one season? If he can, he has a team on his hands there.

Dan Ritchie and Michael Bell have also signed some real talent and will likely come out of that 8th or 9th position on the ladder.

GPS might be a little light on.

Both Wests and UQ have lost some talent but Wests have brought not only some more coaches, they have brought in some real threats. Be interesting to see how that melting pot works.

As for the students they could do with a bit of size but everyone recruited brings something. My mail is that back-rower Dougal Perrers, who was a UQ colt several years ago has been playing for University in Wellington for a few seasons and his experience gained there has brought a new dimension to his game and will be one to watch.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I can’t speak for other clubs but Wests has been a good stepping stone for players coming from Fiji/NZ to greener grass in pro rugby landscape.

I wonder how QPR as a stepping stone compares to Shute shield though?

Qpr 9 teams - squads are more stacked

Shute shield - 13 teams, more player dilution and a salary cap system to spread around the pro players

Might have 12 sides but there's a difference between the top half and even within that the top 2-3 every year. Cap and points system is good overall but doesn't stop pros going where they want as they don't play all that much. If Easts in in SS could get their 1st XV all on the park it'd be a Super Rugby side. Same goes for Uni. Randwick and Norths always seem to land fringe pros from the UK.

Club Rugby is a fickle business though. You only need an old boy with some cash to burn to decide he wants the club to succeed and it can turn in a year.

 

[Pfitzy]

I was told by someone at a Premier Club in Sydney that the number was about $750k - if you can't bring that to the table in terms of player salaries, you're probably not in the running.

 

[rapt]

At $750k what squad size are they talking too? Consider QRU did or wanted to implement a $50k spending cap

 

[Bulldog]

Is the Aust Club Championship game between Brothers & Easts on Stan? They should rename it - the Tony Shaw Cup - for today given Easts were the club that Shawy was associated with when he lived in Sydney.

 

[Strewthcobber]

At $750k what squad size are they talking too? Consider QRU did or wanted to implement a $50k spending cap

This $750k isn't appearing on anyone's books

 

[Crashy]

You’ll find it in most shute shield annual reports under ‘rugby expenses’ or similar. Its always the big number ans i assume includes coaches salaries as well.

 

[Marbig]

Is the Aust Club Championship game between Brothers & Easts on Stan? They should rename it - the Tony Shaw Cup - for today given Easts were the club that Shawy was associated with when he lived in Sydney.

It is indeed

 

[Bulldog]

It was a good game of rugby.

 

[Porridgelover]

Any update on around the grounds trial results from yesterday?

 

[warhorse]

I watched the Souths v Norths trial. It was a try fest. Souths came out on top 8 tries and 6 conversions(52 points) to Norths 7 tries(not sure how many conversions).
Souths tries were the better constructed but penalties and an inability to secure kick off possession, as well as errant lineout throws allowed Norths to score a number of pushover maul tries.
Souths scrum was dominant all day. Big George Francis put in a massive stint and he looks the fittest for a number of years.
Tye James is back from England but didn't play yesterday. Cal Lauder and Phransis Sula-Siaosi are due back shortly from HK. The Reds players(John Bryant, Connor Vest and Trevor King) and also the Reds U20 players(King, Xavier Ruebens and Maddox Maclean) will be welcome returns as well.
Souths will be very competitive in 2025.

 

[The Engine Room]

UQ vs Easts was a pretty even affair all afternoon. Some entertaining rugby at times and some scrappy rugby at times. TBH - no one really stood out for mine but happy to be corrected. UQ No.8 Connors (???) left the field early and looked to be injured again.
Similarly, the 2nd grade trial was abit of a stop - start affair. Good crowd in attendance for a trial game.

 

[Cole]

Souths v Wests this weekend in last trial before Round 1, should be good games hopefully, but interesting/concerning to see Souths only fielding 3 senior and 2 colts teams, down from 6 and 4 teams last year. I understand 6th grade and colts 4 run in different comps to QPR but they would definitely field a colts 3 before 4, 6th grade a bit different. Think their Prems and Colts 1 will be competitive but looks like depth could be an issue

 

[warhorse]

Souths v Wests this weekend in last trial before Round 1, should be good games hopefully, but interesting/concerning to see Souths only fielding 3 senior and 2 colts teams, down from 6 and 4 teams last year. I understand 6th grade and colts 4 run in different comps to QPR but they would definitely field a colts 3 before 4, 6th grade a bit different. Think their Prems and Colts 1 will be competitive but looks like depth could be an issue

Yes, I think depth might be an issue. Souths just put out a call across their media and Socials for extra players for 3rd & 4th grade. Inviting players to training tomorrow night and trials against Wests on Saturday.

 

[new recruit_ brisbane]

Souths v Wests this weekend in last trial before Round 1, should be good games hopefully, but interesting/concerning to see Souths only fielding 3 senior and 2 colts teams, down from 6 and 4 teams last year. I understand 6th grade and colts 4 run in different comps to QPR but they would definitely field a colts 3 before 4, 6th grade a bit different. Think their Prems and Colts 1 will be competitive but looks like depth could be an issue

3 senior teams is wild.. especially for Souths