QLD Reds 2010

[RugbyReg]

exactly James.

Reports are suggesting he has signed. So perhaps Link decided to bench him because of that. He needs guys committed to the cause and if Byrnes is going, then we need to get Rob pretty much up to speed straight away.

 

[en_force_er]

exactly James.

Reports are suggesting he has signed. So perhaps Link decided to bench him because of that. He needs guys committed to the cause and if Byrnes is going, then we need to get Rob pretty much up to speed straight away.

When certain players sign to another team they seem to have one foot out the door (Gitts for example).

Byrnes just does not seem like this kind of player, nobody can fault his passion.

 

[chief]

Someone pointed out to me the other day that Byrnes is a cheap player, 3rd man in, and once he gets involved he looks on to see if anyones watching.

 

[spectator]

I'm thinking that it is time for Reds supporters to get a bit of perspective (me included). Plenty of what I'm reading is a little over the top and a little premature. Yes it is great to see individuals step up and the team performing way above expectation, but remember where we were just a short time ago.

Why caution? Injuries to key players such as Genia and Cooper would be more disastrous than the season ending loss of Horwill and would expose that lack of depth that many have bleated about for so long. The reality is that we have had four home games and lost two, and we have a good number of tough away games to go.

As for Wallaby selection, sustained performance is the key. We are only four games into the season. Many of our guys are the form players at the moment, but let's see where they are at the end of the comp.

Just a little too early to dare to dream.

 

[Godfrey]

I very much agree with your post. Let's enjoy the patch, but not let our words come back to bite us.

 

[tranquility]

Very true, however you are speaking like a true Reds supporter who has had his heart broken too many times.

Our run of fixtures is actually quite favourable. We play the all the weaker SA teams on the road which means that if we can potentially pick up some points over there we are in a very good position half way through the comp. We then play the front runners - the stormers and bulls - at home. We all know that SA don't like traveling, and this advantage can't be underestimated. I have summarised the rest of the games somewhere else, but it is best not to look to far forward.

As far as injuries go, I actually don't think he are that short on depth. If were were to lose Genia, Quade or Digby it would be terrible, but players like Kingi, Tapuai, and a returning Rod Davies are there to fill the void. The only player we can not afford to lose and would almost spell the end is.... Quade. This is not because he is our best player, however he is mercurial but it is because Lucas or Tim Walsh are not effective enough to be consistent starters.

In the forwards we have a plethora of young and capable forwards who have only seen limited time this year including; Shaw, Slipper, and the most exciting young forward in the country Eddy Quirk. I can not wait till link thinks it is appropriate to blood this lunatic - because he in my eyes at least could be a bolter for the World Cup. His counter rucking, pilfering for a big man and general aggression around the field make him a stand out every time he plays. He literally dominated the brisbane premier comp as an 18 year old.

While any injuries could undoubtedly run the ship of course - there are alot of very capable performers waiting in the wings at the Reds this year.

 

[RugbyReg]

The Faingaas are staying. Excellent news.

IN-FORM twins Anthony and Saia Fainga'a have delivered the Reds a double dose of good news as the first of Queensland's off-contract players to sign up for another two years.

Such a proclamation would barely have caused a ripple this time last year when the duo were playing like the bench players they were.

But the transformation of the Reds in 2010 has been so marked in team strategy, in team culture and in confidence that the Fainga'a brothers are both riding it as well as driving it.

Centre Anthony, 23, has been one of Super 14's most improved performers over the opening five rounds with his sharp sidestep, straightening runs and timing of big tackles.

Dreadlocked hooker Saia was a forward of limited physical presence last year who was being ragdolled backwards time and again in tackles.

This season he has stepped up as a non-stop factor whose leg drive was bullocking him through defenders in the 50-10 thrashing of the Western Force last Sunday.

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Whereas two Force hookers couldn't hit a barn door with their lineout throws, Fainga'a was all efficiency.

The duo have their mojo back. As much as the Reds wanted them to stay, the better news is that the brothers were just as eager.

"The reason we first came to the Reds last year was to be part of a developing team and now there's a mood where everyone can't wait to play," Anthony Fainga'a said yesterday.

"The team is on the up. There are good relationships being built, a good culture and good methods around the team so we are both very keen to stay a part of it."

Fainga'a said coach Ewen McKenzie's continued involvement was a substantial magnet.

Hooker Saia has responded to the front-row dialect that former Wallaby prop McKenzie speaks so well.

"We're very happy to have Anthony and Saia on board because they've delivered on everything asked of them this year," McKenzie said.

"We've been working hard behind the scenes since before Christmas on the retention of players and we still are.

"You'd like to think playing in a team showing great spirit and aptitude plus better consistency of results is attractive."

The Reds have a bye this weekend but fly to South Africa on Friday to prepare for matches against the Cheetahs (March 26), Sharks (April 3) and Lions (April 10).

More than 20 players are coming off contract at the Reds. It's a timing issue that the Queensland Rugby Union should have been smart enough to avoid with the Melbourne Rebels now hunting in the market place.

In-demand players need to make good choices too. Abrasive lock Adam Byrnes is a potential Wallaby if he stays with what is working at the Reds.

To gamble away that headstart by moving into a completely new pack at the Rebels next season in World Cup year would be folly in many eyes.

 

[TOCC]

so the Fainga'a twins have re-signed and Higginbotham has pledged his allegiance...

only 20 more to go

 

[chief]

I think in this bye week, we will see a few more people lock in deals with the Reds.

 

[Scotty]

In-demand players need to make good choices too. Abrasive lock Adam Byrnes is a potential Wallaby if he stays with what is working at the Reds.

To gamble away that headstart by moving into a completely new pack at the Rebels next season in World Cup year would be folly in many eyes.

That bit is funny. The reporter trying to convince Byrnes to stay!

IMO he is no where near Wallaby selection.

 

[RugbyReg]

thats Jimmy Tucker Scotty. He thinks he's part of the QRU.

I don't think we can write of Byrnes that quickly though (with regards to your comment). We are short of locks at the moment so he'd have to be up there.

 

[TOCC]

If Byrnes continues the form that he has displayed in the first half of the season, then he does stand a chance for Wallaby selection, obviously there are still a few in front of him, but it only takes a injury or two for things to change. I tend to think Van Humphries might be ahead of him in the selection stakes. Depends what Robbie wants though, Humphries provides experience and maturity but Byrnes provides abrasiveness.

Neither are very dynamic players though.

I think in this bye week, we will see a few more people lock in deals with the Reds.

you would think that the QRU would use this week as a chance to lock people in.

 

[Jets]

Byrnes would have to be a better option than Van looming ahead to the RWC. I would hate to see him go to Melbourne when he has developed so much in Qld.

You would think that the Reds would be on a signing frenzey this week. Great to see the twins locked in but I won't be happy until they have signed at least 10 more players.

 

[TOCC]

anyone know what Paul Alo-Emile is doing down in Canberra this week??

 

[Jets]

There is a camp for the Aust 20's squad. 40 player from around the country not playing Super rugby.

 

[TOCC]

looking promising in the retention stakes.... Jim Carmichael QRU Chief Executive

"I've got to say - and I'm being genuine - we're very, very comfortable because we've learned from six years ago and we've been on the front foot for months now. Our number is in excess of 20 that we've signed up," Carmichael said.

"We've got some players we're still working through given there's a bit of competition in our team. We're still making our final plans but we're very very comfortable where we are at the moment.

"It's above 20 but I don't want to give more than that because there are players that are still on the fringe. We're determining if they are part of it or not. In the next couple of weeks, we'll be able to make an announcement once we've got all of that finalised."

 

[RugbyReg]

wowza. Sounds good. Hope its genuine.

 

[TOCC]

the article says 28 off contract players, so they may be factoring in the Academy players as well

link to the article
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...ngs-to-come-says-reds-boss-20100317-qefj.html

 

[RugbyReg]

QR Reds Head Coach Ewen McKenzie has announced a 26-man squad to travel to South Africa tomorrow for the Reds’ next three games in the Investec Bank Super 14 season.

The squad of 14 forwards and 12 backs includes dynamic wing Rod Davies, who is almost recovered from a fractured cheekbone suffered against the Blues on February 27.

The squad is: Forwards: Daniel Braid (vc), Adam Byrnes, Ben Daley, Saia Fainga'a, Sean Hardman, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Jack Kennedy, Jake Schatz, Robert Simmons, Ezra Taylor, Laurie Weeks. Backs: Will Chambers, Quade Cooper, Rod Davies, Anthony Fainga'a, Will Genia (c), Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Ben Tapuai, Brando Va'aulu, Tim Walsh.

McKenzie also confirmed that 22 players had now committed to the Reds for 2011.

“As is already now public knowledge, Anthony and Saia Fainga'a – two of the form players of the competition this year - are two we have re-contracted.

"But we are not focusing on announcing any more names at this stage.

"I realise that, given our history, Reds fans may start to feel jittery if we say nothing, so for their peace of mind I can confirm that we now have 22 players committed for next year and we are working through the process with others.

“We’re less than halfway through the 2010 competition and it does us no good for the focus to be on who will be playing for the Reds in 2011. That’s next year’s squad and this year’s squad still has a job to do – to win the next game and each one after that.

“But just because we’re not rolling out a beauty parade of new signings doesn’t mean we’ve been sitting on our hands. Reds fans can rest assured that we’ve been quietly working away at this for some months now and the squad we eventually unveil for 2011 will be an extremely competitive one."

The Reds will assemble at Brisbane international airport from 4.30am tomorrow before departing for Johannesburg via Sydney at 6.35am. Their next match is against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday, March 26 (Saturday morning Brisbane time), followed by games against the Sharks and Lions before they return home for a Suncorp Stadium match against the competition leading Bulls on April 17.

I have 12 so that makes 10 they are yet to announce. Which is exciting and a relief, somewhat.

Meanwhile the touring squad looks strong. Interesting that Kennedy is there ahead of Slipper and Edwards. Is Danya injured? Let the Rebels take him and we keep Weeks.

 

[RugbyReg]

hang on. No Turinui? The beginning of the end? I guess he won't be one of the 22 signed.