QLD Reds 2010

[tranquility]

not too be rude at all, but I have heard that it couldn't be further from the truth. apparently he was supposed to start last year by moonye, but got injured at the wrong time. i hear they rate him highly and will give him every opportunity to prove that he is good enough to start.

the kid is a genuine talent, genuine all-round game. hope he proves me right

 

[TOCC]

I was speaking to my former coach and current Easts coach Pat Richards who seemed quite fond of him(toua) as a player when i spoke to him last year, said it was a real dissapointment he was injured and couldnt play for them in 09, as a 18yr old he was there starting fullback and essential to there premiership in 2009, reckons he was expecting big things from him in 2009.

chief, you may be right, we have obviously heard conflicting stories from different sources

 

[chief]

I think its a real tragedy, that he got injured. I see him a lot near where I live, spoke to him a couple of times. Mostly mid-last yearand he wasn't looking or feeling to fine. A injury at 18 years old like that was always going to hold him back.

 

[Ash]

What's with the man-love for Ed Quirk? I don't see how he would come close to a starting 22 for the Reds this year, especially with Taylor, Higgenbatty, Luafutu, etc all around, plus Schatz should be further along in his development. Quirk is surely still a few years away, if he is to make it, and needs to bulk up to play blindisde at S14.

 

[TOCC]

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.

 

[tranquility]

i hope luafutu has a break out season this year. the fact of the matter is that he is not a 7, if anything he is a 6. if he doesnt perform this year i say we scrap him and find a young genuine scavenger.

the reason i want to push all these academy players through is because there is so much talent that will otherwise be poached, and the fact that there a quite a few blokes not up to the mark in the current squad especially in the forwards. However I do recognize the importance of the longer toothed blokes like morgan and the HARDman.

 

[chief]

Ed Quirk was a top player in the Brisbane Premier Rugby this year. Him coming up against David Croft was a very tight battle, and surely he would have made him a bit more mentally prepared from that, he was probably the premier #6 throughout the year. I think there is without a doubt in my mind, a spot for Quirk on the bench. With easy promise to progress up to a starting spot within the next 2 years.

 

[TOCC]

article from foxsports

Cooper to return to training Tommorow

But McKenzie is seriously considering giving Ben Lucas the chief playmaking duties and playing Cooper at inside centre, where he impressed for Australia outside Matt Giteau in all four grand slam tour Tests.

"What we've seen is that Quade has added to his versatility," Mackenzie said.

"He's the incumbent (Test) 12 (inside centre) and we have to work out what's best for us, and these trials are important for people to show what they've got.

"Ben Lucas has played a lot at nine for the Reds, but he will give him a crack at 10 (five-eighth) to see what he offers.

Lucas is also in contention to replace Mark McLinden at fullback, where Luke Morahan is another contender.

Former Melbourne Storm centre Will Chambers has been running mainly on the wing in training, but he is viewed as a potential outside centre.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26559006-5002381,00.html

 

[TOCC]

so, going on that article

9. Genia
10. Lucas
11. Chambers
12. Cooper
13. Ioane
14. Hynes
15. Morahan

Thats a reasonable lineup, im not sure how Lucas would go as starting 5/8 and Morahan might be a little short of experience, but other then that its pretty good.

or

9. Genia
10. Cooper
11. Chambers
12. Turinui
13. Ioane
14. Hynes
15. Lucas

not as good as the last lineup IMO, but probably the safer option

 

[chief]

Is Lucas really a Super 14 level Flyhalf? The first team sounds promising minus Lucas at #10. Man our team could be really good had Barnes not left. Sam Scott Young should have had a chat to him.

 

[TOCC]

Latham for the second half of super14, even if he cant play i reckon they should bring him on in some form of advisory/mentor role, a lot of players have stackloads of respect for Latham and he has the experience and knowledge to pass on

Wallaby legend Latham heading home
Chris Latham will relocate back to Australia at the end of the English rugby season in May after deciding not to exercise the option of a third year with Premiership club Worcester.

The 34-year-old fullback, who has played for Worcester since 2008, has made the decision for family reasons.

"After much consideration we feel, as a family, that this is the right time to return home to Australia, with my daughter starting high school and my son soon to start school," he said.

Worcester rugby director Mike Ruddock said Latham, the second highest try scorer for Australia, had been a huge influence on the club.

"Chris has been inspirational, and his work ethic has been truly remarkable. Having had the opportunity to work with him first-hand, I can see why he was by far the best fullback in the world for so many years.

"His dedication to the job and his commitment on the field has been inspirational for all at the club to witness. We wish Chris every happiness in his new challenge."

Worcester are currently second from bottom of the 12-team Premiership.

Latham played for NSW and Queensland at Super rugby level and scored 200 points in 79 appearances for the Wallabies, winning the World Cup in 1999
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/br...legend-latham-heading-home-20100106-lufz.html

 

[Pfitzy]

Latho probably decided it was just too fucking cold up there and he needed to see the sun occasionally.

 

[Geronimo]

Is Lucas really a Super 14 level Flyhalf? The first team sounds promising minus Lucas at #10. Man our team could be really good had Barnes not left. Sam Scott Young should have had a chat to him.

Where do you get your rugby cred chief? I can't disagree with your disappointment at Barnes leaving the fold, but tell me why you have a problem with Lucas having a crack at ten. I watched a Brisbane grand final a couple of years back where my team was given an absolute hiding (very painful day) by Sunnybank. Lucas played a blinder and scored something like 30-40 points. This was when he nearly got picked ahead of Barnes for the Wallabies when he apparently (I didn't see it) played over Barnes in the semi final the week before in front of John Connolly. He was 19 years old and just out of school. Yes he has since played second fiddle to Barnes and Cooper and moved into half where he also did extremely well (for someone who had not played half) and kept Genia on the bench for extended time. I will admit that I like his tough defence and the way he played for my team the ACES in the ARC but he deserves a crack at 10 more than some others who have yet to build this type of CV. I think you are being a little too tough in denying him an opportunity to establish himself in what may be a preferred position. I don't know if he prefers half but I think he would play prop if it meant being in the team.

 

[TOCC]

at least Lucas has been in the Reds for a couple of years now, so his not some inexperienced 18yr old straight out of school

 

[Juan Cote]

Tim Walsh is in the training squad also (not under contract) so I guess until QC (Quade Cooper) gets the all clear from the powers that be it will be Lucas first choice no 10 and Walsh as back-up

 

[Zinzan]

Is Lucas really a Super 14 level Flyhalf? The first team sounds promising minus Lucas at #10. Man our team could be really good had Barnes not left. Sam Scott Young should have had a chat to him.

Where do you get your rugby cred chief? I can't disagree with your disappointment at Barnes leaving the fold, but tell me why you have a problem with Lucas having a crack at ten. I watched a Brisbane grand final a couple of years back where my team was given an absolute hiding (very painful day) by Sunnybank. Lucas played a blinder and scored something like 30-40 points. This was when he nearly got picked ahead of Barnes for the Wallabies when he apparently (I didn't see it) played over Barnes in the semi final the week before in front of John Connolly. He was 19 years old and just out of school. Yes he has since played second fiddle to Barnes and Cooper and moved into half where he also did extremely well (for someone who had not played half) and kept Genia on the bench for extended time. I will admit that I like his tough defence and the way he played for my team the ACES in the ARC but he deserves a crack at 10 more than some others who have yet to build this type of CV. I think you are being a little too tough in denying him an opportunity to establish himself in what may be a preferred position. I don't know if he prefers half but I think he would play prop if it meant being in the team.

Well said Geronimo, I saw Ben Lucas play Oz Schools boys and saw him rip up NZ schools playing 5/8 for Oz A with Christian Lealiifano playing Fullback. Benny is a class player, I was concerned about his size but proved for reds and in ARC he can hold his own.

He definately does not have the flair of a QC (Quade Cooper) but definately has solid Defence, excellent kicking game. I'm a Brumby fan & not too concerned how reds fair this year but believe for Reds to come out of this hole they're in.....Ben Lucas the 'General' to lead them around the park.

....Ben Lucas won't get caught with stolen Laptop in his hands either.

 

[Ash]

Tim Walsh is in the training squad also (not under contract) so I guess until QC (Quade Cooper) gets the all clear from the powers that be it will be Lucas first choice no 10 and Walsh as back-up

What about Lance?

 

[Juan Cote]

Jono was running at no 12 in the reserve backline at today's session

 

[red army]

who else was in the reserve backline if you do remember?

did there appear to be a clear starting backline for the 1st trial?

 

[Juan Cote]

a mix and match of academy and training squad players.

Hard to read too much in to any of it as none of the Wallabies trained (QC (Quade Cooper) did a few sprints and some fitness stuff but no ball work) neither did Chambers who has some leg soreness and was doing gym stuff.