QLD Reds 2010

[RugbyReg]

why the hell not!? It wasn't too long ago that the Waratahs were trying to put as many flyhalves as possible into their backline, and we'ved done it at times too (Lucas, Barnes, Cooper), so why not fill it up with wingers? We may end up doing that this year if Diggers plays 13 and Hynes fullback.

 

[TOCC]

quite a few of those wingers will convert to other positions though, Chris Sautia(Feaui) is moving to centre for BSHS next year, he was kept on the wing by Faulkner(reds academy player) this year.

Im glad to hear Toua is still in the academy squad, i had massive tabs on this kid, its a shame injur hurt him this year but hopefully he comes back better in 2010. I also like Tapui, but i reckon he will be one of the first players to sign with Melbourne next year, he is a melbourne boy at hear.

 

[spectator]

Reckon you're right about Taps TOCC. The other vulnerability in the next few years will be Digby, another Melbourne boy.

 

[RugbyReg]

must have been on the naughty list this year.

Got a Reds Membership....


...and a Matty Hayden cook book... :nta:

 

[Utility Back]

So whats everyones predicted finished place for our beloved and tragic reds in the coming season?
I may be bold and say that we may finish outside the bottom three? Is better than 10th a deluded mans hope?

I really hope that mckenzies hard arse training and shake up of the joint will instill some toughness and good old fashioned gutso about the boys. i do predict the loss of berrick will hurt. I do rate Quade highly, but only when he has the benefit of decent go forward and a steady head beside him, (he has excelled so well in the wallabies, only in parts for the reds). Without berrick, and a forward pack that in my opinion hasnt got anything on the other aussie forward packs, and the pending burglary charge against him, he may wobble and may lose his head. But, Hopefully mckenzie will guide him better than jones ever did, he steps up and becomes that legendary playmaker many people believed he would become. We have great outside backs,

Our forward pack, fair dinkum needs to step up, Higgers showed some superb moments last year, and Ben daley is one to watch, but probably wont start without injuries allowing. Houston as others had pointed out, as soon as his contract got renewed lost all form and fitness, hopefully that changes, but he is back with the bloke who got rid of him at the tahs if im not mistaken.

anyway didnt mean to babble on, intially was just going to ask you humble posters realistically where you expct the reds to end up next season. Inside rugby said 10th, anything better than that fo me would be well, as good as a sign of improvement and mckenzie might be onto something. Sorry if this is a bit early and i know new threads will end up being created to talk about this very subject.

I reckon if we can get off to a great start and beat those bloody tahs in the 1st round it will along way through the season and have already said somewhere else im tipping close win! Then again i am a die hard reds supporter an symptoms of delusion are common, but we're not here to F#ck spiders and cannot expect that losing marginaly is good enough anymre, and hope that is a strong message mckenzie has brought with him.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

So whats everyones predicted finished place for our beloved and tragic reds in the coming season?
I may be bold and say that we may finish outside the bottom three? Is better than 10th a deluded mans hope?

Any result that leaves us without the spoon will be alright...FFS I've even got kiwis sympathising with me for being a reds supporter! Been gutted too many times to predict, but I think there is few glimmers of hope for the season. Loosing Sooky wasn't ideal, and Horwill needs to smarten himself up, I though he didn't live up to expectations on the EOYT, but as reds supporters, no straw is too small to grasp at :lmao:

 

[Geronimo]

I am also a dyed in the wool Reds fan and like you I feel any improvement will be a blessing. I also think our forwards need to man up as I believe the backs are capable of more than holding their own. If we gain parity in the forwards anything can happen. Even Quade might get off his charge!!!! Go the REDS!!!!

 

[TOCC]

In the years gone buy the poor results could be blamed on immaturity and even having less physically developed players due there younger ages, however its not really the case anymore, all these players are old enough, big enough and strong enough that they should be performing to a higher level.

If anything, the skill base of some players is below what you would really want for a S14 team, but apart from that its purely a mental mindset, if the Reds can actually play like winners and have the mental mindset that they are going to win, then they can. Unfortunately building a winning culture isnt something you can train for, it comes from purely winning.

A win in Rd1 against NSW would be a enormous boost for the Reds season, it will be hard though, NSW have a formidable squad, I really hope the reds get a mid-table at least, just to prevent a player exodus to Melbourne.

 

[spectator]

It really will be an interesting year for the Reds. The following is probably a rehash of assorted opinion but I will post anyway.

As others have said the Backs should be fine. Halves fully stocked with Genia and Kingi, and Lucas as an emergency. No doubt about it, the loss of Barnes is a big one but if Cooper can keep his onfield development going in the right direction and with Lucas as a backup, the 10 spot is well catered to. Both those guys can also slot into 12, but I am hoping that a leaner and hungrier Turinui will own that spot in 2010. He will also be important in terms of providing leadership. It will be interesting to see how the backup inside backs, Fainga'a and Lance go in the trials.

Where Chambers will play is a big question, I wonder if Link will try him out at both wing and 13 during the trials?Depending on how well he adapts defensively he may even be an option at 12. Could be a handful running into gaps off some well timed QC (Quade Cooper) passing. Digby to start at 13 with Hynes, Morahan and Va'alu to fill the other outside back positions. I'm backing both Davies and Conner to have much better S14 seasons in 2010. Further backup from the Academy will come from Tapuai (also inside back coverage) and Toua, and perhaps even Shipperley?

The forwards are obviously the key, and more to the point, the depth of the forwards.Well stocked with front row forwards Weekes, Holmes and Daley, with Edwards and Kennedy as backup. I wonder if young Slipper is strong enough to push the Senior squad guys, he is certainly skilful enough? Hardman provides good experience and leadership at hooker for the start of the season but I am expecting (and hoping) that Hanson will step up and seriously challenge Fainga'a for the No. 1 hookers spot by season's end. Van Humphries to partner Horwill in the second row for the start of the season, again ensuring some good onfield experience and height in the lineout. Good backup in Byrne, and Simmons to step up as well. Ezra Taylor another option as well as being a backrow contender. If everything I am hearing about pre-season is correct then Leroy Houston could finally have a level of fitness and committment to match his potential. If so look out. Braid and Higgers have the flanks covered with backup from Tomiki and Luafutu. A number of young tyro's to press their claims for backrow spots in the trials, and during the season, in the likes of Shaw, Schaatz and Quirk.

Much will depend on how the younger brigade steps up, if and when they are called upon, and a number of them will have matured that bit more, both physically and mentally, and be all the better from having had some exposure last year.

Looks a pretty reasonable squad to me.

All things being equal, a mid-table finish should not be an unrealistic expectation of Red's supporters.

 

[chief]

We have to face it, the reds will not do well this year with using the current squad. Ewen McKenzie knows it as well, that's why we will expect to see a very substansial amount of Academy players used particuraly in the forwards. The reds backline is good enough to be successful, but the current forwards aren't. We will have to expect the like's of Quirk in the fray. If a remotely successful season occurs for the QLD reds this year.

 

[unsub god]

From what I've heard the Reds have not totally closed off their books for 2010 yet. Word is they are still talking to a couple of Japan based players.

 

[Newb]

who's available to come over? wouldn't be a certain fullback would it?

 

[TOCC]

Japan contingent

Possible:
Shane Drahm
Tim Atkinson
Gene Fairbanks
Brett Stapleton

Unlikely:
Henari Veratau
James Hilgendorf

there are others that im probably forgetting as well

 

[TOCC]

also Mitchell Felsman is in the Reds Academy in 2010

 

[Spook]

I have to say Fairbanks never let the Brumbies down.

 

[liquor box]

I really think we should be better than 5 other teams if all goes to plan, I think we can be better than the Force,Highlanders, Lions, Chiefs and Cheetahs.

If we start poorly then maybe we give up a season and get a lot of developmental players a go and while they are pumped sign them to long contracts before melbourne do!

I think we have a backline that can match up with other teams, we may not be better but we can match them. As a reds supporter I will look for positives, if we come within 3-7 points of the best teams all year it will be a positive season...as long as we beat the bad teams.

I think our forwards could be our downfall, if a former forward as a coach cant motivate them then I dont know what will, I look forward to a day where we can control the ball for 12-15 phases against a top 4 side and maybe form a rolling amul that moves in a positive fashion for more that 10 metres. I will have a wet dream if we can get a pushover try, but a pack that can not go backwards is a realistic fantasy.

an absolute dream would be to get within a "statistical" chance of making the finals going into the last round and work from ther.

 

[Lee Grant]

I think that the Reds will be every Oz rugby fan's 2nd team and want them to win every game, expect when they are playing their team. In recent years it has been my hope every time they play except that later it the season I switch my 2nd allegiance to the Force or more often, the Brumbies, if they are contenders later in the tournament and are playing one of the other 2 non-Tahs teams.

The Reds have earned our support through some empathy with them in losing so many players compared to other teams in the Super14, let alone other teams in Oz. There has also been an admiration, especially to this Tahs fan, of their backs in using the most of their good ball and having a go.

As others have said: it is the forwards who we expect to be the problem. The backrow will be decent and there won't be too many better players in their position than Horwill and braveheart Hardman, but the other front and 2nd rowers are hot and cold, both as to set piece work and 80 minute physicality in the tight stuff.

In this department McKenzie will do no harm, though from watching Tahs training in the past he doesn't do a lot of hands on stuff. That may not be here or there as his best work is probably done in instructing the assistant coaches.

I wish everybody a happy new year and the best of luck to the Reds and their fans - except in Round 1.

 

[Aussie D]

I really think we should be better than 5 other teams if all goes to plan, I think we can be better than the Force,Highlanders, Lions, Chiefs and Cheetahs.

The Chiefs made the final last year so I wouldn't count them amongst the weak teams. The other 4 we should beat though. I would love them to have an unbeaten record at home, wins against those four teams hopefully with wins in NZ and SA. If they can achieve this they will be well placed to launch an assault on the title in coming years, unless they get plundered by the Force (again) and the new Melbourne side......

 

[straightshooter]

Does anybody "know" which REDS players are off contract at end of 2010 and available for, dare i say, poaching by Melbourne and those likely to go south

Is there any restriction on Melbourne raping and doing what the Force did to QLD

 

[chief]

Does anybody "know" which REDS players are off contract at end of 2010 and available for, dare i say, poaching by Melbourne and those likely to go south

Is there any restriction on Melbourne raping and doing what the Force did to QLD

I'm just presuming this, but I would think not many would be as they like to renew contracts until the end of 2011 as its a WC year.