QLD Premier Rugby 2021

[The Nomad]

So can Easts make finals ?

Currently in 6th position , 9 points behind Wests and 8 points behind Brothers who are 4th and 5th respectively on the table. They have five games to play , with the next three weeks being against teams ahead of them on the table .

Easts’ run home :

UQ at home
Wests away
Brothers at home
Sunnybank away
Norths at home
Bye

If they win the next three , they are a chance . Brothers have already played UQ, GPS and Wests a second time and have the best run home out of the teams fighting for 4th spot.

In saying that Bond still have to play GPS, UQ, Wests and Brothers this round , they are 6 points clear of Wests , 7 points over Brothers and 15 points ahead of Easts on the table .

Reckon 1st and 2nd locked in with UQ and GPS in no particular order .

Who makes the top four?

 

[PhilClinton]

Matt Gicquel must have slept with someone’s daughter in the upper management of the rugby world, the fact he’s still without a contract is beyond me.

In the last few weeks he’s more than matched up with McReIght and Wright. Has scored 6 tries this season already and his work on the ball is great.

 

[Adam84]

Matt Gicquel must have slept with someone’s daughter in the upper management of the rugby world, the fact he’s still without a contract is beyond me.

What is it with Queensland and producing backrowers?
Honestly is it the style of rugby, or maybe they’re positions other codes dont compete as much for?

But it seems to be QLD’s best rugby export

 

[Marbig]

I think it’s a combination of body shape mixed with smarts required for the position that doesn’t convert to the other footy codes.

Gicquel so good at the breakdown and general play just smarts and strength definitely one of the best running around in QLD. Another player who is a real casualty of a lack of NRC.

 

[Dean Moriarty]

I think it’s a combination of body shape mixed with smarts required for the position that doesn’t convert to the other footy codes.

Gicquel so good at the breakdown and general play just smarts and strength definitely one of the best running around in QLD. Another player who is a real casualty of a lack of NRC.

What is the NRC going to do for Matt Gicquel ? Not much is what I'd suggest. Some players get annointed - some don't. A lot of it depends on who you know or who knows you based on prior familiarity or being part of someone's tribe who then ascends to a position of influence . It guess it has worked for Thorn's Red's where the core came through Thorn and Gilmore's QLD and Junior Wallaby U20's program . The same concept and reality is adopted all the way down the line at Club and Pathway Rep, occasionally it works well , most of the time at these lower / developing levels it doesn't. Most of it is just timing and luck as to when your time is or isn't. See Liam Gill way back when. And downstream at Club Level , in recent times, before Matt Gicquel , or Pat Morrey , or Sam Wallis (who has had small opportunity) there was Jeremiah Lynch

The truth is you can't accommodate everybody with talent and aspiration, but , whatever the controlling network is (for advancement) at whatever level , their whims and prejudices goes a way to who does or doesn't get opportunity.

I do give credit to Thorn however in giving an uppercut to McReight recently , who does seem to have needed it , and , for giving guys out of Club land like Seri Uru his shot ( and others )

 

[The Nomad]

Having seen a bit of the pathway and a little insight into the Reds would make a couple of comments.

Firstly with the pathway, similar to the Reds' roster , there are limited spots available. There are more spots , but it still is limited. The Reds' would have priority on who they sign up to their Academy. They have tried in the past to offer spots to players that would be a more traditional target of other codes just to keep them in rugby with limited success. Props, locks and halves seem high on the list, which is probably fair when you consider the development requirements of these positions. As Marbig mentioned , we produce a lot of backrowers , particularly opensides. Again more likely to target a big strong ball running 6/8 that might be tempted to the dark side than a genuine on-ball 7. That's just for the Academy.

I've watched Matt Gicquel play since his Colts days at GPS, started off wanting to play centre. Have really enjoyed watching his development as a 7 and always been very impressed with his on-ball pressure, defensive work load and his skill in link play. He has had a run in NRC , he got a few starts with Brisbane City and spent 2019/early 2020 with the greater Rebels squad, played in a trial for the Rebels against the Reds in Gladstone. Basically it's not like he is not known.

Why hasn't he been signed at the next level? If I had to guess it would most likely come down to size.

 

[SouthernX]

Yeah I agree on the size comments with Giquel.

He could have all the talent in the world but a lineout coach and a S&C coach might look at him and advise a HC/front office he doesn’t have the attributes for super rugby. (How do you measure heart? You can’t but it does show up on the game film)

The NRC is the pathway for a guy like Giquel. More exposure!!!

 

[Marbig]

What is the NRC going to do for Matt Gicquel ? Not much is what I'd suggest. Some players get annointed - some don't. A lot of it depends on who you know or who knows you based on prior familiarity or being part of someone's tribe who then ascends to a position of influence . It guess it has worked for Thorn's Red's where the core came through Thorn and Gilmore's QLD and Junior Wallaby U20's program . The same concept and reality is adopted all the way down the line at Club and Pathway Rep, occasionally it works well , most of the time at these lower / developing levels it doesn't. Most of it is just timing and luck as to when your time is or isn't. See Liam Gill way back when. And downstream at Club Level , in recent times, before Matt Gicquel , or Pat Morrey , or Sam Wallis (who has had small opportunity) there was Jeremiah Lynch

The truth is you can't accommodate everybody with talent and aspiration, but , whatever the controlling network is (for advancement) at whatever level , their whims and prejudices goes a way to who does or doesn't get opportunity.

I do give credit to Thorn however in giving an uppercut to McReight recently , who does seem to have needed it , and , for giving guys out of Club land like Seri Uru his shot ( and others )

I would suggest giving more game time against a slightly higher calibre for someone such as Gicguel who has the skill set to advance the next level would be greatly beneficial for him and other players on his situation.

I definitely agree in terms on the politics surrounding selection to pathway programs and the next level up from Club Rugby and I reckon it’s a real disadvantage to QLD rugby across the board that dominance in Club Rugby doesnt always provide career advancement for those who excel.

I thought in its short period the NRC looked to correct that at times with a few players getting a shot in the NRC teams that otherwise probably wouldn’t have advanced their careers any higher than Club Rugby.

 

[Oracle83]

Having seen a bit of the pathway and a little insight into the Reds would make a couple of comments.

Firstly with the pathway, similar to the Reds' roster , there are limited spots available. There are more spots , but it still is limited. The Reds' would have priority on who they sign up to their Academy. They have tried in the past to offer spots to players that would be a more traditional target of other codes just to keep them in rugby with limited success. Props, locks and halves seem high on the list, which is probably fair when you consider the development requirements of these positions. As Marbig mentioned , we produce a lot of backrowers , particularly opensides. Again more likely to target a big strong ball running 6/8 that might be tempted to the dark side than a genuine on-ball 7. That's just for the Academy.

I've watched Matt Gicquel play since his Colts days at GPS, started off wanting to play centre. Have really enjoyed watching his development as a 7 and always been very impressed with his on-ball pressure, defensive work load and his skill in link play. He has had a run in NRC , he got a few starts with Brisbane City and spent 2019/early 2020 with the greater Rebels squad, played in a trial for the Rebels against the Reds in Gladstone. Basically it's not like he is not known.

Why hasn't he been signed at the next level? If I had to guess it would most likely come down to size.

Club as well? I think we have great players in reds loose forwards but all seem to come from 2 clubs with good board QRU representation.

 

[RugbyReg]

Club as well? I think we have great players in reds loose forwards but all seem to come from 2 clubs with good board QRU representation.

Who? Which clubs and which board members? Brothers obviously. At UQ?

Keen to know the obviously inappropriate brothers board member who is using their power to sign, checks notes, Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight………

 

[vac]

Who? Which clubs and which board members? Brothers obviously. At UQ?

Keen to know the obviously inappropriate brothers board member who is using their power to sign, checks notes, Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight………

Why, do you think that McReight and Wilson do not deserve or earned their positions? I think they have. I think that Giquel has at least had a shot in Melbourne and they have had a look at him and decided, maybe not.

So don't start with the garbage, please.

Yeah maybe Giquel may have out-played McReight last game (just), but don't forget he was on the ascending team, which is always easier. For mine GPS were great in set pieces, but lacked in most other areas; Brothers looked the more dangerous with the ball, but it didn't happen that day for them.

 

[RugbyReg]

Why, do you think that McReight and Wilson do not deserve or earned their positions? I think they have. I think that Giquel has at least had a shot in Melbourne and they have had a look at him and decided, maybe not.

So don't start with the garbage, please.

Yeah maybe Giquel may have out-played McReight last game (just), but don't forget he was on the ascending team, which is always easier. For mine GPS were great in set pieces, but lacked in most other areas; Brothers looked the more dangerous with the ball, but it didn't happen that day for them.

I do obviously think Harry and Fraser deserve their place. I was passing comment to the poster who suggested there are board members who have an overt and bias say on our backrow contracts which could either mean Mark Stanton is responsible for us signing WIlson and McReight over others. Or Patty Howard is responsible for us signing ASY (Angus Scott-Young) or Wallis over others. Or, I don't know, David Hanham as CEO has decided to wield his power to sign Wright and Uru.

It's a ridiculous proposition.

 

[Confucius Say]

Brother have 2, UQ have 2 and East have 2.

Matt Gicquel just need a mate to package as a pair for Jeep to get 2 back rower at QLD Reds.

 

[Confucius Say]

Why, do you think that McReight and Wilson do not deserve or earned their positions? I think they have. I think that Giquel has at least had a shot in Melbourne and they have had a look at him and decided, maybe not.

So don't start with the garbage, please.

Yeah maybe Giquel may have out-played McReight last game (just), but don't forget he was on the ascending team, which is always easier. For mine GPS were great in set pieces, but lacked in most other areas; Brothers looked the more dangerous with the ball, but it didn't happen that day for them.

More dangerous but it didn't happen. Look can be deceiving. That is like train like Tarzan and play like Jane.

 

[Oracle83]

Brother have 2, UQ have 2 and East have 2.

Matt Gicquel just need a mate to package as a pair for Jeep to get 2 back rower at QLD Reds.

Thanks for reiterating my point is factual not biased, I’m a Uni fan but believe Giquel has been streets ahead of Wallis (who is a good player as well) for some time now. I also think other players in Prems that are better than a few in the reds and their greater squads but I will stand down.

Furthermore MCreight and Wilson would be in my wallaby team so no issues there.

 

[Dean Moriarty]

Wasn't Sam Wallis through the same Jason Gilmore coached Churchie teams of 2014 / 15 ? Thorn QLD 20's and then the Gilmore Junior Wobs (dunno he repped in either)

Not taking anything away from him just underlining an earlier point about the benefit of tribe as you are coming up

 

[Sgt Slaughter]

Can I give my sophisticated opinion - Jeeps are shit, Giquel is exactly where he should be - Sam and Pat are on a different level, Up the Heavies

 

[vac]

Can I give my sophisticated opinion - Jeeps are shit, Giquel is exactly where he should be - Sam and Pat are on a different level, Up the Heavies

Too funny. Spoken like a true heavy!

 

[PhilClinton]

Wasn't Sam Wallis through the same Jason Gilmore coached Churchie teams of 2014 / 15 ? Thorn QLD 20's and then the Gilmore Junior Wobs (dunno he repped in either)

Not taking anything away from him just underlining an earlier point about the benefit of tribe as you are coming up

Yep, I think selections in higher teams is less about what club you play for, and more about who’s coached you along the way. It’s nothing new, and has been happening since the dawn of time across all codes and all levels of sport.

The cream will end up finding their way to get picked no matter what though. It’s the fringe guys who get the upper hand. If we’re talking about Wallis, who yes is good, but you could probably give his contract to another 3 blokes in the QPR and it wouldn’t cause much issue on the field.

 

[RugbyReg]

Wasn't Sam Wallis through the same Jason Gilmore coached Churchie teams of 2014 / 15 ? Thorn QLD 20's and then the Gilmore Junior Wobs (dunno he repped in either)

Not taking anything away from him just underlining an earlier point about the benefit of tribe as you are coming up

Wallis was in the 2015 Churchie team. Gilmore didn't coach that year I don't believe.

Wallis wasn't in that QLD 20s side either.

Nor was he in the Gilmore coached Oz 20s side at the World Champs.

Got his first real rep chance in the opens when Mick Heenan coached Brisbane City in 2018. Giquel was also in that side.