He and Quade have both moved to GPS - reason being coaching staff from what I hearWhy was LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) playing for GPS? He was a Souths lad back in the day
Also Mafi is playing at GPS after being a Bond player for years. and Sam Talakai is at GPS where historically he is a Sydney Uni player.
Are GPS now Wests 2.0 and getting all the Rebels players?
Yes they can - well done to themCan Bond secure the minor premiership tomorrow at Yoku Road?
Currently the Premier grade table: Bond 59, Easts 57, Wests 54, Bros 48 and GPS 45, Souths 41.
Had to happen, the ad hoc, single club partnership leaves the rebels very exposed in a competition they have little to no influence over.Mafi’s brother moved across to GPS a couple of years ago. But yeh the others traditionally don’t have an association with the club. Quade’s brother started playing this year as well.
I was talking to someone today who works closely with the QRU through the judiciary and they implied the Wests and Rebels “official partnership” may be on its final season. Apparently the Rebels have approached the QRU about an official comp wide agreement going forward and a few other clubs (namely Norths) will get some Rebels players filtered through from next year. Wait and see.
My recollection is that Sam Talakai played for Brothers going back about 8-10 years. He might have also been captain.Also Mafi is playing at GPS after being a Bond player for years. and Sam Talakai is at GPS where historically he is a Sydney Uni player.
Are GPS now Wests 2.0 and getting all the Rebels players?
Brothers had a bit of luck early but then way too good for Wests. It’s been a long season for some of the Bulldogs and it’s starting to show the last two weeks. They look tired.
Looks like recruiting their way to a Premiership ala Wests last year. Let the hating beginTop4 done and dusted - so much for GPS being favorites to win the competition.
Bond deserve to finish on top, they have recruited well - the Super/International experience and bench depth is ridiculous:
1 - Gibbon (Rebels/Aus)
2 - Dolokoto (Drua/Fiji)
3 - Nonggorr (Reds/Aus)
4 - Rotuisolia (Drua/Fiji)
5 - Canham (Rebels)
6 - Nasove (Drua)
7 - Connors
8 - Upfield (Reds)
9 - Jeans (Reds)
10 - Campbell (NPC Waikato/Chiefs)
11 - Roberts
12 - Nasoko (Drua/Fiji7s)
13 - Boardman
14 - Stowers
15 - Ngamanu (exReds)
- Blake (Reds)
- Sooaemalelagi (Aus20s/NRC)
- Blyth (Reds)
Bond V Brothers GF you heard it hear first lol
Doesn't everyone? Good on them I say #UptheBullsharksLooks like recruiting their way to a Premiership ala Wests last year. Let the hating begin
With the Reds Challenger Series approaching (new thread?). Who do we expect making the President’s XV? What type of style does Les coach? Plenty of big names not in the Wallabies camp will make a decent Reds Development VX.
Props
Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, George Blake, Sef Fa’agase
Hookers
Richie Asiata, Max Craig?
Locks
Angus Blyth, Lopeti Faifau, Jake Upfield
Backrow
Connor Anderson, Harry Wilson, Keynan Tauakipulu, Seru Uru
Halfback
Louis Werchon, Spencer Jeans
Flyhalves
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lawson Creighton, James O’Connor
Centre
Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Taj Annan
Outside Back
Jock Campbell, Ben Navosailagi, Mac Grealy, Paddy James
International Duty
Suliasi Vunivalu, Peni Ravai, Jordan Petaia, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Matt Faessler
Injured
Floyd Aubrey, Tom Lynagh, Isaac Henry, Ryan Smith, Josh Nasser, Connor Vest, Liam Wright, Harry Hoopert, Wilson Blyth
Kalani Thomas - NZ
President’s XV
A few quick names…
Props
Liam Usher, Nick Bloomfield, JP Tominko, Trevor King, Rhys Sheriff, Harrison Usher
Hooker
Ethan Dobbins, ???
Lock
Will Sankey, Oliver Bartlett, Taelyn Nukunuku
Backrow
Matt Gicquel, Pat Morrey, Kohan Herbert, Alex Smit
Halfback
Eli Pilz, ???
Flyhalves
Jake Pappin
Brad Twidale
Centre
Tyler Campbell, Pio Nakubuwai, Matt Smit, Chris Kurindrani
Outside back
Veresa Mataitini, Rhian Stowers, Meli Dru, Jayden Ngamanu, Hamish Roberts, Cooper Whiteside
Pretty good list though there are barbarians games on in Europe during the world cup with a squad of around 15 Australians expected. So there's a good chance at least a few of Nonggorr, Uru, Wilson, O'Connor, Flook, Paisami and Campbell will be out for at least some of the challenger series and potentially rested rather than rejoining the squad for the Saitama game.With the Reds Challenger Series approaching (new thread?). Who do we expect making the President’s XV? What type of style does Les coach? Plenty of big names not in the Wallabies camp will make a decent Reds Development VX.
Props
Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Phransis Sula-Siaosi, George Blake, Sef Fa’agase
Hookers
Richie Asiata, Max Craig?
Locks
Angus Blyth, Lopeti Faifau, Jake Upfield
Backrow
Connor Anderson, Harry Wilson, Keynan Tauakipulu, Seru Uru
Halfback
Louis Werchon, Spencer Jeans
Flyhalves
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Lawson Creighton, James O’Connor
Centre
Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Taj Annan
Outside Back
Jock Campbell, Ben Navosailagi, Mac Grealy, Paddy James
International Duty
Suliasi Vunivalu, Peni Ravai, Jordan Petaia, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Matt Faessler
Injured
Floyd Aubrey, Tom Lynagh, Isaac Henry, Ryan Smith, Josh Nasser, Connor Vest, Liam Wright, Harry Hoopert, Wilson Blyth
Kalani Thomas - NZ
President’s XV
A few quick names…
Props
Liam Usher, Nick Bloomfield, JP Tominko, Trevor King, Rhys Sheriff, Harrison Usher
Hooker
Ethan Dobbins, ???
Lock
Will Sankey, Oliver Bartlett, Taelyn Nukunuku
Backrow
Matt Gicquel, Pat Morrey, Kohan Herbert, Alex Smit
Halfback
Eli Pilz, ???
Flyhalves
Jake Pappin
Brad Twidale
Centre
Tyler Campbell, Pio Nakubuwai, Matt Smit, Chris Kurindrani
Outside back
Veresa Mataitini, Rhian Stowers, Meli Dru, Jayden Ngamanu, Hamish Roberts, Cooper Whiteside
There was a rumour that Dourie had signed with the tahs, if true he obviously won't be there. I assume they won't bring in anyone from out of state unless they've already signed, but the off contract Rebel I'm most interested in is Cameron Orr. I wonder if he picks up a contract if he comes in for these games as an early pre-season? He's easily good enough to be a regular in our 23, particularly with Hoopert coming off a serious injury.There’s a few off contact players with the rebels who were announced as leaving in 2023 who have continued their trade in QPR (because it’s where they are born and bread)
I’d be adding the names Theo Fourie, Jaiden Christian & Moses Sorovi if they don’t go onto earn a contract elsewhere this off-season.
Ilikena Vudogo was a almost shoe in on this year but he suffered a serious ankle injury and I don’t think it’s likely his playing any footy anytime soon.