QLD Premier Rugby 2025
- Thread starter Coleman Rees
- Start date
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Getting a bit off topic here but daycares are not the easy win you seem to be painting them as. There are significant traffic burdens associated with them (parking requirements for pickup/drop off can cause all sorts of trouble too) and if they are at all sizable they have a habit of seeing heavy opposition amongst local residents as a result. As far as I'm aware Ashgrove isn't exactly lacking for daycare places either.
JRugby2
Bob Loudon (25)
The glue factory at 3pm in winter, for example
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Yep, the Ashgrove Mafia won't be letting anything happen at GPS any time soon.
In my earlier post regarding location of clubs, a large part of that is also the particular zoning requirements. I had nothing to do with Wests build but I imagine they were already in the correct zone for the type of commercial establishments that were being implemented.
In my earlier post regarding location of clubs, a large part of that is also the particular zoning requirements. I had nothing to do with Wests build but I imagine they were already in the correct zone for the type of commercial establishments that were being implemented.
Interested Viewer
Frank Nicholson (4)
Wests are in a heritage park but had the backing of the local councillor and state and federal members. They are the benchmark on a club development as they are a facility that does not rely on gambling to be viable.
Souths are in the same style of park and have a local councillor who is totally against that club so have difficulty doing anything at all. State and federal members are on side but are hamstrung by the local councillor.
Easts could get what they wanted done due to the Deputy mayor being a local. state and federal members are on side.
JRugby2
Bob Loudon (25)
Easts and Souths feels like another example of being in a terrible location within a great suburb. Club house is smack bang in the middle of a park with little to no access to it for a large number of prospective tenants or their customers who need to travel through quite suburban streets.
Would be an expensive re-design of the whole thing.
hdnmstsnr
Allen Oxlade (6)
Fished this Gold Coast Bulletin article out of last week's archives (nestled between AFL and Race form for Warwick and Albion Park). Would have loved to see him local in 2025. But it is what it is.
The article raises a question though; What do Stowers and Manenti see in USA rugby that the rest of us don't?
Hospital Cup: Bond University’s Rhian Stowers signs two year Major League Rugby deal with San Diego by Mitch Bourke
One of Queensland’s most exhilarating amateur rugby talents is off to the US after years of being snubbed by Super Rugby clubs. Inside, his journey to an unlikely professional deal.
One of Queensland’s most exhilarating amateur rugby talents is off to the US after years of being snubbed by Super Rugby clubs.
Electric Bond University fullback Rhian Stowers has penned a two-year contract with the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.
Bond’s head of rugby, Grant Anderson, has worked with Stowers from grade six at Benowa State School and later at Somerset College – as well at Bond – and knows him better than most.
“He’s just such a naturally instinctive player, he sees what’s in front of him and takes those opportunities on,” Anderson said.
“He’s probably the most exciting player in the (Hospital Cup) competition and has been for a couple of years.
“He’s very explosive, he’s got really good top end speed but he’s also incredibly strong for his size which gives him the ability to take tackles, defend hard and really get through line breaks well.
“The (Queensland) Reds haven’t looked at him although he’s been the best player in the competition for the past two years.”
It’s his explosive and instinctive play that Anderson believes will lay the foundation for Stowers to make his name in America.
“It’s a very structured competition, so having someone like Rhian with his natural attacking ability and instinctive play will be something that they haven’t seen a lot of,” Anderson said.
“I think he will be a definite standout over there.”
San Diego’s newly appointed head coach John Manenti is just months removed his decorated stint coaching the Australian men’s sevens outfit, and its from that national set up where he knew of Stowers, who is also a bright sevens prospect despite having his heart set on pursuing the traditional 15s.
“It just sort of came out of nowhere,” Stowers said of the move.
“It happened pretty quickly, my manager told me that San Diego was interested and wanted me to go over there, they thought I’d be a good attacking addition and it all fell into place.”
A Colleges Knights junior on the Gold Coast, Stowers played a season of rugby league on the Gold Coast just two years ago with a stacked Southport Tigers outfit, adding a Rugby League Gold Coast premiership to his resume while playing on the wing alongside the likes of former NRL men Michael Oldfield, Sione Katoa (ex-Penrith and Canterbury hooker), and Greg Bird.
Since his return to union in 2023, the now 24-year-old has cleaned up in the Hospital Cup, winning the 2023 Alec Evans Medal as the competition’s best player and back-to-back Slipper Trophy’s as Bond’s best and fairest.
Despite the success, Super Rugby clubs remained uninterested in Stowers’ exploits.
“He just gets branded too small at times and people can’t see past his physical size the attributes that he brings to a team,” Anderson said.
“He spent time with the Australian sevens, he’s a great teammate and works incredibly hard on his skills and his game, when he can’t get an opportunity in Australia we’re more supportive of him going over (to the US).
“He’s been a special player for us for a long-time, and particularly because he’s a Gold Coast kid and has developed his rugby through Gold Coast rugby pathways, which we are the pinnacle of.”
Stowers views his upcoming San Diego stint as a “stepping stone”, with the end goal of cracking into Japan Rugby League One, the country’s premier union competition.
“It’ll be good to doing rugby full-time and seeing how much I can develop my skills and just get better as a player,” Stowers said.
“This is a stepping stone to hopefully get into Japan and go from there, I think I’m a bit small for the kind of style that Super Rugby teams play.
“Japan is the long-term goal.”
The article raises a question though; What do Stowers and Manenti see in USA rugby that the rest of us don't?
Hospital Cup: Bond University’s Rhian Stowers signs two year Major League Rugby deal with San Diego by Mitch Bourke
One of Queensland’s most exhilarating amateur rugby talents is off to the US after years of being snubbed by Super Rugby clubs. Inside, his journey to an unlikely professional deal.
One of Queensland’s most exhilarating amateur rugby talents is off to the US after years of being snubbed by Super Rugby clubs.
Electric Bond University fullback Rhian Stowers has penned a two-year contract with the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.
Bond’s head of rugby, Grant Anderson, has worked with Stowers from grade six at Benowa State School and later at Somerset College – as well at Bond – and knows him better than most.
“He’s just such a naturally instinctive player, he sees what’s in front of him and takes those opportunities on,” Anderson said.
“He’s probably the most exciting player in the (Hospital Cup) competition and has been for a couple of years.
“He’s very explosive, he’s got really good top end speed but he’s also incredibly strong for his size which gives him the ability to take tackles, defend hard and really get through line breaks well.
“The (Queensland) Reds haven’t looked at him although he’s been the best player in the competition for the past two years.”
It’s his explosive and instinctive play that Anderson believes will lay the foundation for Stowers to make his name in America.
“It’s a very structured competition, so having someone like Rhian with his natural attacking ability and instinctive play will be something that they haven’t seen a lot of,” Anderson said.
“I think he will be a definite standout over there.”
San Diego’s newly appointed head coach John Manenti is just months removed his decorated stint coaching the Australian men’s sevens outfit, and its from that national set up where he knew of Stowers, who is also a bright sevens prospect despite having his heart set on pursuing the traditional 15s.
“It just sort of came out of nowhere,” Stowers said of the move.
“It happened pretty quickly, my manager told me that San Diego was interested and wanted me to go over there, they thought I’d be a good attacking addition and it all fell into place.”
A Colleges Knights junior on the Gold Coast, Stowers played a season of rugby league on the Gold Coast just two years ago with a stacked Southport Tigers outfit, adding a Rugby League Gold Coast premiership to his resume while playing on the wing alongside the likes of former NRL men Michael Oldfield, Sione Katoa (ex-Penrith and Canterbury hooker), and Greg Bird.
Since his return to union in 2023, the now 24-year-old has cleaned up in the Hospital Cup, winning the 2023 Alec Evans Medal as the competition’s best player and back-to-back Slipper Trophy’s as Bond’s best and fairest.
Despite the success, Super Rugby clubs remained uninterested in Stowers’ exploits.
“He just gets branded too small at times and people can’t see past his physical size the attributes that he brings to a team,” Anderson said.
“He spent time with the Australian sevens, he’s a great teammate and works incredibly hard on his skills and his game, when he can’t get an opportunity in Australia we’re more supportive of him going over (to the US).
“He’s been a special player for us for a long-time, and particularly because he’s a Gold Coast kid and has developed his rugby through Gold Coast rugby pathways, which we are the pinnacle of.”
Stowers views his upcoming San Diego stint as a “stepping stone”, with the end goal of cracking into Japan Rugby League One, the country’s premier union competition.
“It’ll be good to doing rugby full-time and seeing how much I can develop my skills and just get better as a player,” Stowers said.
“This is a stepping stone to hopefully get into Japan and go from there, I think I’m a bit small for the kind of style that Super Rugby teams play.
“Japan is the long-term goal.”
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
$$$$$$$$$$
Pro gigs are rare in Australia. Why not ply your trade where you can build a portfolio of footage against a raft of former and current internationals, and get paid to do it?
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
That article is pretty bizarre honestly.
It alludes to Stowers being snubbed by Super Rugby franchises, but then essentially implies he isn't good enough for a Japanese contract yet and needs to play some professional footy in the MLR to boost his stock.
Why would Super Rugby clubs be interested in a bloke that even the Japanese comp won't offer a deal?
It alludes to Stowers being snubbed by Super Rugby franchises, but then essentially implies he isn't good enough for a Japanese contract yet and needs to play some professional footy in the MLR to boost his stock.
Why would Super Rugby clubs be interested in a bloke that even the Japanese comp won't offer a deal?
JRugby2
Bob Loudon (25)
Think it's just noting the opinion of Grant Andersen rather than presenting an argument.
noknowledgeatall
Herbert Moran (7)
Stowers isn't the only one being left on the shelf by RA / Super Rugby.
This is just another cry for a 3rd tier of professional (semi professional) rugby in Australia or an expanded Aussie Super rugby capacity.
We lose too many good talents because we dont have spots for them.
This is just another cry for a 3rd tier of professional (semi professional) rugby in Australia or an expanded Aussie Super rugby capacity.
We lose too many good talents because we dont have spots for them.
Bulldog
Arch Winning (36)
The Deputy Major is the club patron at Easts - a handy contact for Easts when dealing with BCC who are the landlord of Bottomley. All clubs need to work closely with the political members in the local area.
hdnmstsnr
Allen Oxlade (6)
You're right. I missed the criteria element that in order to be offered an Super Rugby contract, you have to be offered a Japanese one - BUT - there WAS the Panasonic Knights deal he was offered in late 2023 (when he was named in the Reds Challenger series), but had to decline both due to family commitments. He also declined a call up for the Aussie 7s in Sydney against Japan at the same time, for the same reason. Then there was the Rebels collapse that filled up a gaggle of available contracts here and overseas in the meantime so, when he was clear to take offers, they were utilised by off-contract Rebels. So, within context, maybe accepting an MLR gig (under a coach that was keen to see him play in his national 7s side) may not be as bizarre as you might think. As an Aussie rugby fan, I'm more worried that we see him turn out for NZ, Samoa or even the USA and do what the likes of Hansen, Lowe, Tuipolotu - and so many others have done....play a key part in beating the team he was keen to represent, but was not retained for...
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hdnmstsnr
Allen Oxlade (6)
...and we end up being on the receiving end when they turn out for other countries, despite the fact we have a multi-million dollar Kiwi coach and a multimillion-dollar league player at hand. Imagine what might have happened if those millions were spent on retaining those players who are scoring tries against us.
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PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Wooo up boss.
His coach is trying to spruik him as Super Rugby ready and what a shame it is to lose him, but then the player by his own admission says he needs to cut his teeth in the MLR before trying to crack the Japanese league.
So what is it? Should he be starting for the Reds next year or playing 3rd grade level rugby in San Diego?
I also don't see why you're bringing up family commitments when they weren't mentioned in the original article at all? But you seem to think they hold importance to his story.
Apologies if you're the author of the article but I think it's a bit strange to follow and doesn't give a clear indication of what level this bloke should be playing at, that's just my opinion.
hdnmstsnr
Allen Oxlade (6)
Merely adding context, champ. No need to see it as an attack. I added supporting information to help you understand that context. If Panasonic Knights and Aussie 7s are interested, then why not Super Rugby? A modicum of clarity. That's all. If you read up relevant media on other players like Eli Pils, Matt Gicguel and Kohan Herbert - other evergreen QPR performers that also tend to be snubbed - Stowers' story ain't so bizarre. It does, however, add to the overarching issue of the Wallabies being beaten by international teams comprising Australian players that have been snubbed by Australian Rugby and/or Super Rugby franchises. And therein lies the more likely ulterior motive behind the article - and the original post - maybe? Cheers 'Boss'.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
No worries - where is the funding coming from to keep all these players who's professional ceiling ends up being MLR?
Matt Gicquel and Kohan Herbert are two of my favourite players and greatly talented but they're also currently stuck behind Fraser McReight who is likely going to be picked for every Wallabies game for the next 8 years. Would be great if RA could supply additional funding to keep all these gun openside flankers but the reality is they simply can't.
Same thing happened in the previous generation that saw the likes of Liam Gill and Sean McMahon head overseas with Michael Hooper flying the flag. It is the current reality of rugby.
The Wallabies being beaten by international teams with a couple of Aussie players isn't solely on the shoulders on the QPR losing blokes to MLR and Japan.
Also, the last person to use the word 'modicum' on this forum was a twit and you're falling into the same bucket.
Matt Gicquel and Kohan Herbert are two of my favourite players and greatly talented but they're also currently stuck behind Fraser McReight who is likely going to be picked for every Wallabies game for the next 8 years. Would be great if RA could supply additional funding to keep all these gun openside flankers but the reality is they simply can't.
Same thing happened in the previous generation that saw the likes of Liam Gill and Sean McMahon head overseas with Michael Hooper flying the flag. It is the current reality of rugby.
The Wallabies being beaten by international teams with a couple of Aussie players isn't solely on the shoulders on the QPR losing blokes to MLR and Japan.
Also, the last person to use the word 'modicum' on this forum was a twit and you're falling into the same bucket.
LevitatingSocks
Watty Friend (18)
I don't see a snub so much as an unfortunate confluence of external factors with the main one being RA's financial constraints.
Laying blame at the feet of Joe Schmidt and Joseph Sua'ali'i is silly considering they are two of the best investments Australian rugby has made in recent years.
Laying blame at the feet of Joe Schmidt and Joseph Sua'ali'i is silly considering they are two of the best investments Australian rugby has made in recent years.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Maybe I am wrong and Stowers' dad is right and this is the biggest travesty in Australian rugby since banning gloves.
Can someone tell me of any players who've gone straight from QPR or Shute Shield to the MLR and ended up being capped by a Tier 1 international team?
Can someone tell me of any players who've gone straight from QPR or Shute Shield to the MLR and ended up being capped by a Tier 1 international team?