QLD Reds 2010

[Lindommer]

...the last thing we need is ANOTHER coach.

You need a decent forwards coach, a defence coach, a decent fitness coach and a realistic game plan. This fling it wide crap failed badly to win games. I wonder what Steve Tuynman is up to, he was bloody good at the Tahs.

I corresponded with Steve earlier this year and can confirm he was at a loose end, doing a bit of coaching for IBM Big Blue in Japan, but only on a consultancy basis. Since then IBM have shut down their rugby team in Japan.

The Reds could do worse than get Big Bird to get their forwards up to speed. But a decent strength and fitness is essential with the many injuries the Reds suffered the last few years allied with Houston's expanding gut.

 

[TOCC]

i dont think the strenght and conditioning coach can be blamed for a lot of those injuries, i mean some players are just injury prone, Barnes and McMenimen immediatley spring to mind.

Blair Connor is ruled out until November with a foot injury, so his going to be a bit short of conditioning in the pre-season.

Ben Tapuai has been ruled out for the rest of the season after he opted for shoulder surgery

His brother Rex Tapuai is someone who interests me though, he has been truly standing out for the Breakers side, he was in the NSW development team back in 2005, also made the Australians 7's side in 2005 but dissapeared over to Japan for a few seasons, might be a worthy replacement for Fetoia or Vaalu.

 

[Cutter]

So there have been some positive views of the effort Peter Lewis has put in, and some mixed views of Barnes' decision.

I don't have an issue with the fact he has decided to move the NSW, but I am extremely angry that prior to making that decision he had indicated that he was going to stay. It is like say 'all is good mate, should be signing soon', just to wait until they turned around so he could stab them in the back. If the issue really was with some of the coaching staff - then that was always going to be the isssue, so he give off murmurs he was going to re-sign?

My opinion is that us Reds fans should be very angry at the way Barnes has handled this whole situation, much angrier that how the previous losses of Moore and Sharpe went down. Everyone seemed to like Barnes due to his work ethic and maturity, however I believe he has shown a distinct lack of maturity, and distinct lack of ethics (work or otherwise) in this situation. The more I think about it the angrier I get.

Its accepted that there are enormous problems at the Reds. Rocky seemed destined to end up there and things changed quickly. Perhaps the same thing happened. I suspect that Barnes wanted to stay at the Reds but was convinced by those around him it would be good for him to move.

 

[spectator]

Read in the paper today that Jock Hobbs' son was being chased. Played a few games for the Blues at 10 and spent a few years in the Qld Academy a couple of years back. Anyone know how he plays? Wonder what Jock makes of it?

 

[rugbywhisperer]

But a decent strength and fitness is essential with the many injuries the Reds suffered the last few years allied with Houston's expanding gut.

The problem has been that there were too many there in the strength and fitness category. Many feel they actually overdo it in this area, insufficient recovery and the resulting fatigue and loss of performance. Caleb Brown springs to mind very quickly.
The REDS have had a plethora of top shelf S&F coaches and they all leave - or are shoved. It is not a position I would take unless it had authority to go with the responsibility.

 

[TOCC]

i cant say im concerned about the 10position very much, i mean between Ben Lucas, Quade Cooper, John Lance and Ben Tapuai(mostly a centre) i think we have it coverd mostly, its the centre positions and the outside backs where im mostly concerned.

 

[RugbyReg]

backrow and hooker for me

 

[Patto]

I'm from regional NSW, I support the Brumbies then any OZ team playing Saffas Or sheep shaggers. I remember growing up if QLD rugby was strong then Wallaby Rugby was strong. Loane, Cornelson,Shaw, and that was just the backrow. It would strike fear into any team. Please get your act together quickly...Oz needs u.

 

[TOCC]

backrow and hooker for me

yeah sorry, i was reffering directly to the backs on that comment..

although i am worried about the backrow, the hooker position doesnt faze me to much, surely Fainga'a is going to hit some credible form in 2010?

 

[RugbyReg]

Lei Tomeki has signed with the Reds. He showed a lot of promise back in his few games with the Tahs.He's 26 now so brings some decent experience. Could be vital if Braid doesn't recover.

Andrew Shaw has been offered an academy contract but hasn't committed yet. Liam Gill (Qld and Oz Schoolboys 7) has joined the academy. So has other schoolboy stars Kimani Situati, Chris Sautia and Simon Morahan.

 

[Scotty]

I thought Shaw was good enough for a full contract. Thought he showed promise in his few appearances this year.

 

[Scotty]

Particularly when he was up against McCaw in one of them.

 

[Lindommer]

Lei Tomeki has signed with the Reds.

This is wonderful news, Nod, a shame the Reds' management didn't get him a year earlier. There really should be a spot somewhere in Australian rugby for talented players like Tomiki.

 

[RugbyReg]

To be honest I didn't see enough in him to think he demands a full contract. But regardless of what I think its decent business if we can keep him on an academy contract. Cheaper obviously. Of course if he doesn't stay, he doesn't stay. But with Gill signed, we have some opensides. And our backrow depth (with the youngies - Quirk and Schatz for starters) is decent.

 

[RugbyReg]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25887785-5003411,00.html

IN-DEMAND flanker Lei Tomiki has been snapped up from his French base by the Queensland Reds in a move to bolster the team's backrow depth.

The ACT Brumbies made overtures to the former NSW Waratahs flanker while on their four-game tour of France but were trumped by the offer from Super 14's battlers.

It is a much-needed change in recruiting fortunes for the Reds after failing to pull off deals to lure Rocky Elsom or fellow Wallaby back-rower Richard Brown to Queensland.

The Tongan-born Tomiki, 26, has been off the radar in Australia for several seasons but has built a fine reputation as an influential on-ball force at the breakdown with French clubs Narbonne and Castres.

He will be back-up at No. 7 for former All Black Daniel Braid, who has re-signed for one more season but is yet to prove his recovery from achilles tendon surgery.

The Reds should also be eager to keep aggressive Australian Under-20s back-rower Andrew Shaw, who made his Super 14 debut at openside flanker this season. He has been offered a Reds Academy contract for 2010 but he has the drive and commitment to turn it into much more in the longer term.

Back-rower Ezra Taylor faces a four-month training lay-off because shoulder surgery will be required to repair the AC joint he dislocated playing for University last weekend.

The Reds have zeroed in on the current crop of Australian Schoolboys to bolster their feeder system.

Outstanding flanker Liam Gill, one of six players sent off in last weekend's ugly Gregory Terrace-Brisbane Boys' College match in GPS rugby, has been signed to the Reds Academy for 2010.

Nudgee College winger Kimami Situati, Brisbane State High finisher Chris Sautia and Southport School outside back Simon Morahan are also in the new intake.

So Taylor out of training for 4 months? That's not too bad I guess. No off-season weights though, should be back for the fitness kick around December?

 

[Ash]

How about the BSHS prop Paul Alo-Emile? Any word on him joining the Reds academy yet? When I was in Brisbane recently I read how the Force and Brumbies were chasing him as well.

 

[fatprop]

How about the BSHS prop Paul Alo-Emile? Any word on him joining the Reds academy yet? When I was in Brisbane recently I read how the Force and Brumbies were chasing him as well.

A couple must go elsewhere, the reds can't sign them all, they don't have the space.

The challenge for them is picking the right units

 

[RugbyReg]

I read he's been offered an Academy contract.

The Reds need to make some calls in the front row. Probably around Weekes, Kennedy and Edwards. Perhaps Holmes too. They need to keep Daley.

Then there is Slipper and Anae as well.

I maintain that Gav Warren should be watched as well. Perhaps a 5th team signing.

 

[naza]

Lei Tomeki has signed with the Reds.

This is wonderful news, Nod, a shame the Reds' management didn't get him a year earlier. There really should be a spot somewhere in Australian rugby for talented players like Tomiki.

Good signing and nice to see one that got away returning to the fold. Tomiki can fetch, hit and carry so helps a team in a number of departments. My only reservation is that the only time I saw him play for Castres he looked overweight and down on form, so I have no idea if he's regressed or improved in his 4 years overseas.

 

[Scotty]

Good signing and nice to see one that got away returning to the fold. Tomiki can fetch, hit and carry so helps a team in a number of departments. My only reservation is that the only time I saw him play for Castres he looked overweight and down on form, so I have no idea if he's regressed or improved in his 4 years overseas.

He should fit in well at the reds then!