QLD Reds 2010

[spectator]

Eq Quirk has developed quite well over the past 12 months, i dont think he will be pressing for a starting position, but he could come close to a bench position ahead of Taylor or Luafutu. Shatz is smaller then Quirk and didnt have such a impressive last year as Quirk did.

I hear Schaatz has admirers in the new coaching team and is training the house down. Those who have seen this guy play a lot of football will tell you his on field work rate and general skills are pretty special for a big guy. He also offers another option in the lineout. With Leroy carrying a niggle, he could be the bolter for No.8 for the first game. Let's see how he goes in the trials.

 

[Jets]

I would say that Taylor would be ahead of Schatz if Houston is out. I think that Schatz could get a run off the bench. I hope that he develops into a star of the future but I think that this year maybe to soon.

 

[TOCC]

i gotta be honest chief im not real sure how you have come to the conclusion that Lucas lacks attacking flare, im not even sure what 'attacking flare' means for a 5/8, does attacking flare relate to how often he attacks the line, or how many steps and dummy's he does a game? From what ive seen he has avery all round game, he has a pretty good pass, he doesnt mind to attack the line, his good in support play and his kicking game is quite solid as well.

IMO he is a better 5/8 then halfback, the only reason he was forced into the halfback position was because QLD had Barnes and Cooper already in the 5/8 position but no credible halfback.

Ill be honest, I saw him play two games at Fly Half at schoolboy level, and that I think was the last of it. As well as one aces game. Maybe they were just his dodgy games, or maybe it was because Lucas had a pack that was less dominant. To be honest, I thought he took the ball up to the next phase a little too much. Maybe it was just because at schoolboy level when playing at Terrace he had less faith in his team mates, and at the Aces, his team completely sucked, so I really think I can disregard that perfromance which I saw. I will say though he has a quality boot, that could come in handy. I don't like to be wrong, but I certainly hope I am, and from what it is shaping up like from the reports from here, it sounds like wrong I will be.

he might not have been fantastic playing for the Aces, but perhaps you should have a look at who he was keeping on the bench, yes Ben Lucas was the first preference 5/8 over Quade Cooper. Reason been is that Lucas provides a more all round package, he doesnt have the pass or step that Quade has, but he has a better kicking game and a more reliable game.

Lucas wont ever set up a try from his own 22 like Quade might be able to, but at the same time Lucas wont try and run it out of his own 22 and get turned over, he is a smart rugby player and knows when to attack and when to play %% rugby IMO.

I think he could compliment Cooper quite nicely, either have Lucas at 5/8 or Turinui at 12 to provide the calming influence that Barnes and Giteau provided.

 

[straightshooter]

Probably should be a separate thread but

does anyone know what has finally happened about the proposed Ballymore redevelopment - is it still on, or off totally, or downsized

 

[chief]

They are being completely shit about this (QLD Government) they like giving all the money to bidding for a League Grand Final, and upgrading cities. While completely fucking Union around. They were generous in giving us 4.2 Million Dollars, but the residents don't want anything to do with it. I saw in the local paper that it isn't looking too promising. The original plan for the 30 Million Dollar redevelopment would have been fantastic, we could have had Pacific Islander games staged at Ballymore. Hopefully it goes ahead, as well as a Stadium redevelopment because the Football World Cup could be staged here, and we will need somewhere to play because Suncorp is completely out of bounds for that two months.

 

[straightshooter]

They are being completely shit about this (QLD Government) they like giving all the money to bidding for a League Grand Final, and upgrading cities. While completely fucking Union around. They were generous in giving us 4.2 Million Dollars, but the residents don't want anything to do with it. I saw in the local paper that it isn't looking too promising. The original plan for the 30 Million Dollar redevelopment would have been fantastic, we could have had Pacific Islander games staged at Ballymore. Hopefully it goes ahead, as well as a Stadium redevelopment because the Football World Cup could be staged here, and we will need somewhere to play because Suncorp is completely out of bounds for that two months.

Thanks Chief - realised Rudd had withdrawn Howard's committment (at the end it was the only thing i liked about little Johnny) - and Bligh was about as approachable and concilitary on the issue as would have been her ancestor the good Captain (Bligh) but I just hoped and hoped that sanity and commonsense would have prevailed - obviously not

 

[TOCC]

Probably should be a separate thread but

does anyone know what has finally happened about the proposed Ballymore redevelopment - is it still on, or off totally, or downsized

Whats happening is that the plans are before the council and depending on rumours, should be approved in the coming weeks. The reason its taking so long would be because of ammendmants and restrictions that are been put in place, the QRU submits one plan and then the council comes back and gives them a list of issues that need to be fixed, this goes on for quite some time especially in a culturally and enviromentally sensite case like this.

They also have $4.2 million in funding for the pool facilities, but they cant start construction until the plans are approved, on top of that the $4.2 million is currently a source of the CMC inquiry over alleged misconduct by QRU and QLD Govt staff after $200'000 was forwarded onto UQ Rugby for there rugby academy. The QRU are arguing that it was written into the grant given to them by the govt and that the wrongdoing was on the govt's end.



When the plans are approved, there is still the funding issue, i suspect that maybe the QRU will borrow the money to constuct the facilities, in a staggered process anyway. Its not a issue if they borrow the money, just have a look at the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, they are undergoing a similar project.

 

[straightshooter]

Thanks - must be a big pool for 4.2 million - maybe they need to provide plenty of life saving facilities to some of the lads who cannot swim - hear there are plenty of them - or just make it a "wading pool"

Seriously happy to see that the project is at least limping along

 

[chief]

Had Rudd allowed the project Ballymore would be completed by now. And Ballymore could have been the Australian HPU academy. Also just read in the Sunday Mail 23 players are off contract at the end of the 2010 Super 14 Season. That is bloody concerning, we need a relatively successful year to keep players.

 

[Jets]

Had Rudd allowed the project Ballymore would be completed by now. And Ballymore could have been the Australian HPU academy. Also just read in the Sunday Mail 23 players are off contract at the end of the 2010 Super 14 Season. That is bloody concerning, we need a relatively successful year to keep players.

Thats a good number of players for the Rebels to target. The QRU would never let that happen though, would they?

 

[TOCC]

Had Rudd allowed the project Ballymore would be completed by now. And Ballymore could have been the Australian HPU academy. Also just read in the Sunday Mail 23 players are off contract at the end of the 2010 Super 14 Season. That is bloody concerning, we need a relatively successful year to keep players.

Thats a good number of players for the Rebels to target. The QRU would never let that happen though, would they?

a lot of those players off contract will probably get cut anyway, at least the main players like Digby, Genia, Hynes and Cooper are signed.

Actually i think Cooper is off contract this year isnt he?

 

[RugbyReg]

this is who I think is off contract, but I don't know the ins and outs of some deals.

Rodney Davies
Robert Simmons
James Hanson
Quade Cooper
Ben Lucas
Poutasi Vaiofiso Tuasivi Luafutu
Brando Vaalu
Saia Fainga'a
Anthony Fainga'a
Jack Kennedy
Scott Higginbotham
Laurie Weeks
Dayna Edwards
Ezra Taylor
Peter Hynes
Morgan Turinui
Adam Byrnes
Sean Hardman
Van Humphries
Daniel Braid
Blair Connor

there's a fair bit of dead weight there. But the big issue is that we will be heavily into player recruitment when another significant party/competitor is doing it big time. But player recruitment was one of the big things Link was hired for, so let's see.

Of that lot I reckon we will/would be happy to lose:

Robert Simmons
Poutasi Vaiofiso Tuasivi Luafutu
Brando Vaalu
Saia Fainga'a
Jack Kennedy
Dayna Edwards
Ezra Taylor
Morgan Turinui
Adam Byrnes
Sean Hardman
Van Humphries
Daniel Braid
Blair Connor

Would like to keep Morgan T around, but he may decide to head north I guess. Obviously Humphries, Hardman and Braid will go. That's 21 I have. Both Fetoai and McLinden's contract were up this season too, whom they still pay for, so perhaps they are 22 and 23?

 

[RugbyReg]

there is obviously academy players like Kingi, Lance, Schatz etc who are targets as well, but if we look through the list and work out options:

Rodney Davies - worth keeping, depending on this year's form.
Robert Simmons - may have to keep with Van retiring, but be worth getting an import in at this position
James Hanson - want to keep.
Quade Cooper - want to keep.
Ben Lucas - want to keep, but could see leaving. One of he or Kingi must be kept.
Poutasi Vaiofiso Tuasivi Luafutu - I like him, but Schatz is probably a better option.
Brando Vaalu - dead weight in my eyes. One of the young schoolboy flyers? Simon Morahan or Kimami Sitauti?
Saia Fainga'a - see ya'. Will they groom Albert Anae? Will Adam Freier join up for a season or two with his old mate Link (and Morgan?)
Anthony Fainga'a - wouldn't mind keeping him, depending on this year. Otherwise he'll make room for Berrick's return.
Jack Kennedy - James Slipper to take his place.
Scott Higginbotham - would like to keep him.
Laurie Weeks - would like to keep him.
Dayna Edwards - would like to keep him, but could see him leaving.
Ezra Taylor - meh. Let's see how the year pans out. Ed Quirk is waiting in the wings.
Peter Hynes - want to keep him.
Morgan Turinui - want to keep him, but could see him leaving. Mitchell's getting homesick apparently...
Adam Byrnes - don't mind him. Can't lose all our locks. Perhaps Vickers back home for a year or two?
Sean Hardman - see ya'. Need another hooker, an import?
Van Humphries - see ya'. Shees, needing hookers and locks hey?
Daniel Braid - see ya'. Andrew Shaw to get his contract
Blair Connor - hope to see his potential come through, but plenty of young flyers around. Sitauti or Morahan.

 

[Lee Grant]

That "dead weight" you talk about Noddy is why the Reds aren't rated to do well this year. We all hope that they will all come good in 2010 but the chances aren't great of that happening and you need good depth to do well in the S14 comp.

But that's all singing to the choir no doubt.

Noddy

The Reds have only 30 players listed in their roster. Is that all she wrote? The Force have 31 and so do the Tahs - did I read somewhere that S14 teams have a limit of 31 this year? Can anyone confirm it and/or provide a link?

Is there a list of the professional Reds Academy players for 2010?

The Brumbies have only 29 listed - anybody know if they are still hiring?

 

[Geronimo]

Well done Noddy! I don't think you are too far from the money. In my opinion they will be looking at the following, red for priority and blue maybe:

Rodney Davies
Robert Simmons
James Hanson
Quade Cooper
Ben Lucas
Poutasi Vaiofiso Tuasivi Luafutu
Brando Vaalu
Saia Fainga'a
Anthony Fainga'a
Jack Kennedy
Scott Higginbotham
Laurie Weeks
Dayna Edwards
Ezra Taylor
Peter Hynes
Morgan Turinui
Adam Byrnes
Sean Hardman
Van Humphries
Daniel Braid
Blair Connor

There are a number of younger players in the academy that need to be progressed and a lot of these players should have made their mark by now. Also some have done themselves proud but their day has come

 

[RugbyReg]

The Reds have only 30 players listed in their roster. Is that all she wrote? The Force have 31 and so do the Tahs - did I read somewhere that S14 teams have a limit of 31 this year? Can anyone confirm it and/or provide a link?

I did read that they (they? ARU? RUPA? States?) had decided to limit the squad sizes, as a money saving thing.

Is there a list of the professional Reds Academy players for 2010?

haven't seen one yet.

The Brumbies have only 29 listed - anybody know if they are still hiring?

not sure there, they've just brought in John Ulugia on a short term contract as three props (Jerry Y, Alexander and Owen from the Academy) have all been injured this week.

 

[tranquility]

locks are like hens teeth in australian rugby. we can't just throw away Rob Simmonds the bloke is a monster and is still very young. Lock need time to develope - hence the only reason we brought back Van Humpries. All of the rest I agree with.

Another problem though is where do we find additional locks, because Byrnes is nothing more than adequate either.

In the case of Saaia Faainga - I think we should hold onto him. He is still very very young for starting hooker and has a heap of caps compared to others of his vintage. He was an outstanding schoolboy for ACT in a year that ACT competed neck and neck with both QLD and NSW.

 

[chief]

I would say this is Cooper's last year for the Reds. Once everything in this trial comes out, it will not be good. Plus RUPA wouldn't be up QLD's ass if we just didn't renew his contract.

 

[Geronimo]

Good point Tanquility. Oh how I would love to have a non gouging Bakkies or a big knarly Saffer second rower to compliment a back to form Horwill. They are not lining up outside Ballymore that's for sure

 

[Geronimo]

I would say this is Cooper's last year for the Reds. Once everything in this trial comes out, it will not be good. Plus RUPA wouldn't be up QLD's ass if we just didn't renew his contract.

You are probably right here Chief, although if it is proven that he did these things, I would prefer the Reds didn't re-sign him. But at this stage I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. While on unsubstantiated issues, how do you all feel about Slacky calling for the Reds to have a close look at Thurston in the week-end's paper. I for one would be against the Reds signing him because while he no doubt plays a great game of footy, he brings great baggage. The league circles here on the coast have all sorts of rumours, once again have they got legs?