QLD Reds 2010

[fatprop]

Genia praises new Reds regime
PHIL LUTTON
January 13, 2010 - 5:44AM
From foe to friend ... New Reds coach Ewen McKenzie.


Will Genia's glowing praise of the attitude shift taking place under new Reds coach Ewen McKenzie is promising news to Queensland rugby fans.

The boom Wallaby scrumhalf is back in training at Ballymore as the Reds prepare for their February 13 season opener against Berrick Barnes and the Waratahs.

He's only been back in Queensland colours for a few days after an off-season spent plundering fish off his native Papua New Guinea, but he says he can already sense a degree of urgency seeping through Ballymore's creaky stands.

"His (McKenzie) main thing he wanted to change around here was attitude. You can definitely notice that the attitude around the place has changed," Genia said.

"I think the program itself is a lot better run. Everything is a lot better organised and it runs really smoothly. From that point of view, you can see that there's change."

Genia's optimism at the season ahead is hardly a tick of approval for seasons past.

The Reds had a massive cleanout last year, with head coach Phil Mooney, assistants Damon Emtage and Mark Bell and recruitment chief Ben Whitaker now out of the picture.

Still, it was under Mooney's tutelage that Genia rose from a third-string halfback to one of the hottest prospects in Australian rugby.

After coming into the Wallaby squad short of game time thanks to a finger tendon injury, Genia displaced former Robbie Deans favourite Luke Burgess to put a stranglehold on the position, becoming a darling of the English press in the process.

He is desperate to keep that rich vein of form flowing through the Reds season, which begins with one of the most anticipated clashes in recent seasons thanks to the high-profile defection of former Queensland golden boy Barnes last year.

Genia said the prospect of a derby game at home added a welcome edge to Queensland's pre-season.

"You love playing the Waratahs but it's even better when you play Berrick. Maybe we can give him a head knock so he's out again," Genia joked.

"But it's always a big game playing the Waratahs. Having the opportunity to play them at home in the first round is definitely more motivation than having to travel to South Africa for the first three rounds.

"It's really exciting. I know all the boys are really looking forward to it."

Seems Link is to do what he did at the Tahs, fix the attitude and harden them up

 

[Lee Grant]

Sounds good, looks good, smells good.

 

[Sully]

doin a little dancin here! Where is my Banjo! :lmao:

 

[fatprop]

Honeymoon over for Wallabies flyer Hynes
January 15, 2010 - 11:28am
Story by: AAP

Newlywed Peter Hynes and his fellow Qantas Wallabies have joined the Reds for pre-season training

The honeymoon is over for Wallabies flyer Peter Hynes - on and off the field.

Back after holidaying with his new wife, Hynes admits he is feeling the heat in his first week back training with the Queensland Reds under new coach Ewen McKenzie.

But Hynes, 27, couldn't be more excited about returning to the paddock, with a switch to fullback looming in 2010.

Hynes would have been forgiven for wanting to get away from all things rugby by the end of 2009.

Ater enjoying his Christmas break honeymooning on Hamilton Island, Hynes hit the ground running on his return to training along with the rest of the Reds' international contingent this week.

And with the expected challenge of switching from the wing to No.15 this season, Hynes has an added spring in his step.

With 2009 fullback Mark McLinden retiring in the off-season, McKenzie says he will use Wallabies winger Hynes at fullback during their pre-season trials.

The Reds play their first trial against McKenzie's former team NSW in Lismore on January 23.

While that match is tipped to boast fringe players, McKenzie has confirmed Hynes will run out as fullback against the Crusaders in their January 29 trial at Ballymore.

Despite a successful spring tour with the Wallabies on the wing, Hynes said he would be willing to make the positional switch for the Reds if required.

Indeed Hynes has plenty to think about in 2010 - off-contract next season, the 22-Test Wallaby is reportedly in the sights of new franchise the Melbourne Rebels.

But first he has to survive McKenzie's "physical approach" to pre-season training.

"It's always pretty tough the first week coming back, but the boys are training really well and they're looking good out there," Hynes smiled.

"It's about keeping positive and working hard, and if you do that you give yourself the best chance to go well.

"We came 12th last year, so we've got a lot of things to work on.

"It's just a matter of getting our principles in place and making sure we execute them."

Hynes joined the remainder of Queensland's Wallabies - Reds captain James Horwill, halfback Will Genia and centre Digby Ioane - back at training this week.

Fellow Wallaby Quade Cooper had made his return to training last week.

Hynes predicted a massive Reds improvement in 2010 but warned: "I don't think we're going to reinvent the wheel.

"We're just going to try to do the simple things right and hopefully that works for us.

"I think they (supporters) see a few Wallabies in the backs and think we're going to throw it around willy-nilly like we have the last few years and I think that's a mistake.

"We've got some really good forwards, some really good young guys who are going to put their hand up."

Brought to you by AAP

 

[TOCC]

If you havent already realised, it looks as though the Reds have finally accepted the 'internet' era and are utilising social networking sites facebook and twitter to keep in touch with the fans, posting some videos and photos on facebook, whilst doing the odd 'twit' on twitter.

QLD Reds Official Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Queensland-Reds/282471695235

QLD Reds Official Twitter
http://twitter.com/Reds_Rugby

Get behind it and we might be able to see even more of this


Also to note, they did a team picture yesterday of the squad, there were 31 players in the photo, including richard kingi who would appear as though he has been promoted from the academy to a full contract, every photo ive seen of him he hasnt been wearing the academy gear but the 'premier' gear.

 

[RugbyReg]

article in the paper up here today suggesting that Link will play Morahan at fullback during trials, but that he may also use Hynes at 10 again.

Although he did suggest that Lance and Dallan Murphy would also get a chance there.

 

[TOCC]

oh jee i hope not Noddy, Dallan Murphy is a ginger nut and there isnt anything worse then a ranga in your team

 

[chief]

Dallan Murphy is still a pretty good player. I rate him above Jono Lance that is for sure. One of the better Flyhalves in the Premier Rugby during 09.

 

[RugbyReg]

either way, just good to see club form getting rewarded.

 

[chief]

Absolutely, very much looking forward to the team announcement on Tuesday. Will be pretty interesting to see who they play where and such. I'm hoping Murphy might get a bench spot for a few games, but maybe could be out of his depth at that level, Lismore trial will tell. Obviously Link is exploring a few options, before he might have to admit defeat and go to Cooper. I still think Hynes is very much suited to the position, obviously no Barnes, but he would be a good option had they have to come to it.

 

[TOCC]

for the record, the comment about red hair was a joke

 

[chief]

I knew that TOCC. Mind you, surely they do need a red head in the team. The outfit would go great with his hair.

 

[spectator]

Mrphy and Lance are different styles of 5/8 and there is a lot to like about both these players. Murphy is a sharper attacker and Lance the better defender. It will be interesting how they go in the trials if given a chance.

Has Hynes the passing and kicking skills to be a No. 10? It will be interesting to see how he goes there if trialled.

 

[RugbyReg]

some of the best rugby I have seen Hynes play has been at 12. Looked very dangerous.

 

[Scotty]

Mrphy and Lance are different styles of 5/8 and there is a lot to like about both these players. Murphy is a sharper attacker and Lance the better defender. It will be interesting how they go in the trials if given a chance.

Has Hynes the passing and kicking skills to be a No. 10? It will be interesting to see how he goes there if trialled.

I'm not convinced Hynes can even hold the ball in two hands let alone pass to both sides and have a controlled kicking game. Not the right option.

 

[RugbyReg]

it has been confirmed (via twitter) that Kingi has been promoted to the senior squad.

 

[tranquility]

yeah i dont know what the go is with hynes either? im sure he COULD play 5/8 adequately but he is not a natural ballplayer or even a silky skilled winger for the matter. + his kicking probably has to improve to play fullback as it is. In saying that he is a very fine player, however his place in out wide.

In regards to him playing his best football at 12, didn't that only happen in one preseason match in the year that eddie jones took the reigns?

 

[TOCC]

yeah i dont know what the go is with hynes either? im sure he COULD play 5/8 adequately but he is not a natural ballplayer or even a silky skilled winger for the matter. + his kicking probably has to improve to play fullback as it is. In saying that he is a very fine player, however his place in out wide.

In regards to him playing his best football at 12, didn't that only happen in one preseason match in the year that eddie jones took the reigns?

i think he also played there during the ARS?, the round robin competition between the Australian S14 teams in the post season.. prior to the ARC

 

[chief]

TOCC it was the APC. But yeah Jones played him there, along with the wacky suggestion of AJ Gilbert at Halfback. I think he comboed them together however Gilbert certainly didn't make the cut.

 

[tranquility]

AJ Gilbert still baffles me. He was a superstar at U19 level out playing Pocock in the final and then he just got his contract torn up and thrown in the trash. What did he do? and is he dominating for souths or what?