Queensland Reds 2009

[Spook]

I played against McLinden (a Canberra local) and he is damn quick. I think he could be a good half back but could also play fly half , 12 or full back. Excellent signing. Very underrated player.

 

[the gambler]

He used to be electric for the Raiders but cant really see him making a huge impact in rugby. WIll probably do a similar job to what Andrew Walker did this year and Tim Atkinson did before him.

 

[Lindommer]

I know nothing about McLinden; I wonder how he will go.

Does anyone know anything about these cryptic words of wisdom from Growden in R&M?

Concerns that a leading Sydney club player could head north because of lack of interest from the Waratahs.

I mean, that how I want to see players becomes Reds: move to Brisbane, start playing Brisbane club rugby and seek recognition that way.

Whomever he is he's not the first and he won't be the last. Sydney has about 60/65% of Australia's rugby players but the Tahs have only 25% of the professional contracts. There'll always be players leaving to go elsewhere, as has happened since the inception of Super rugby. Can't help you with a name but I hope he gets a gig at the Reds and goes well.

If he's a good'n I reserve the right to call the Reds dirty rotten poachers. ;D ;D ;D

 

[formeropenside]

Ben Lucas is out of the Reds tour squad with an injured knee; Brothers halfback Brendan McKibbin is called up and Rod Davies is a late inclusion on the trip (I assume he got a release from whatever mungoball grade he is playing).

 

[RugbyReg]

Ben Tapuai is out too. And his replacement? .... Ben Gollings!

 

[formeropenside]

Ben Tapuai is out too. And his replacement? .... Ben Gollings!

Interesting...I wonder if he's the Reds marquee o/s player for 2009?

Lucas at 9, Gollings at 10, Barnes at 12, Cooper at 15?

Or would you have Gollings on the bench to close down a match, or Cooper on the bench to run riot (in theory) in the last 20-25?

 

[RugbyReg]

that's my thinkings - Cooper at 15 or bench.

Would be interesting.

I guess its that thing called 'depth' that people in QLD have often talked about.

 

[spectator]

Not sure about the intentions for Golling in 2009 but given that Cooper is also out injured, flyhalf duties were going to be shared by Fainga (usually a centre) and 18 year old Jonno Lance. Having a seasoned pro like Gollings on tour to provide a calming and settling influence is a great move, and the youngsters will more than likely learn a thing or two off him.

Pity that Ben Tapuai did his hamstring in training and had to be ruled out of the tour. As Lee Grant has said elsewhere, he is a very capable player wnd he could be a bolter for the Reds next year. I believe he remains in the Academy for 09.

Bad luck for young Ben Lucas but it has opened the door for Brothers halfback McKibbin, who in my mind (and many others) has been the standout player of the Brisbane premier Comp. Hopefully he makes the most of this opportunity. Still not sure why Easts 10. Matt Brandon wasn't considered, although he did do his hammy again on Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday - great one point win to a very young Easts side in the GF. Brothers were brave losers after being a man down in the first 15 minutes due to a Liam Shaw red card. I've seen his agression get the better of him before. Hope he can fix that up. Must have been a great disappointment for him and the team.

So has anyone now got the full 09 roster for the Reds, or are there still a couple of places to be filled?

 

[RugbyReg]

ok, I think I have the squad (apologies for spelling):

Fullbacks: Mark McLinden, Aiden Toua
Wings: Digby Ione, Peter Hynes, Blair Connor, Brando Vaalu, Rodney Davies
Centres: Charlie Fetoai, Anthony Fainga'a
Flyhalves: Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper
Scrumhalves: Ben Lucas
Backrow: Poutasi Luafutu , Hugh McMeniman, Scott Higginbottham, Leroy Houston
Locks: James Horwill, Adam Byrnes, Rob Simmons
Props: Greg Holmes, Danya Edwards, Ben Daley, Laurie Weekes, Jack Kennedy.
Hookers: Sean Hardman, James Hanson, Saia Fainga'a

Plus Morgan Turinui and Van Humphries who we have yet to hear confirmation from, but as they are touring I assume they will be back. Haven't heard about Will Genia. I assume he has signed, but actually haven't heard anything.

Backrowers are important.

 

[spectator]

Cheers Noddy.

Even with the last three you mention that is only thirty. How many in a normal squad, thirty three? That leaves room for another backrower and/or lock and maybe an inside back? Good number of wingers, although I guess O'Connor is also a centre and Davies a fullback.

 

[Sully]

Be nice to have a recognised Fullback.

 

[Lee Grant]

Thanks for that squad Nod.

Somebody before mentioned that Fijian fetcher from the RWC, Akapusi Qerahim, would be a good acquisition. Although he is contracted to Gloucester, the Reds need a specialist like him in their starting XV to replace Croft.

Gollings, hitherto ineligible, will be a terrific acquisition at 10, as Barnes will probably be the first choice 12. The Pom has an association with Queensland; so is not really a blow-in and will fit in well.

The weaknesses I see are:

- the second row (as in the case for the Tahs) with Humphries aging and the other two unproven.
- 7, as described
- 15 - since McLinden, Davies and Toua are unproven and the first 2 have been playing league.
- 8 - Houston disappointed me greatly for Oz A and looked fat.

They have strengths at 6 and on the wing - and outside centre will be hot and cold with Morgs there; but he is a natural leader and I think he will add value as the skipper, (something I mentioned last year when his move north was mooted.)

I don't know how the front row will go and I don't think that anybody else does either. Despite losing Moore the hooking roster is decent, but we will have to have our fingers crossed for the props. At least with Weeks and Edwards there is some good raw material at 3, but the backup for Holmes at LHP is problematical.

I can't see the Reds getting into a single figure placing in the 2009 S14 with this personnel, but if I am called to account next year that it was a howler, I will be genuinely delighted.

 

[formeropenside]

Lee - I would have liked to see Todd Clever, the US openside given a run for the Reds. But if Gollings is the marquee import, that means a uncapped poach will have to fill the 7 jersey.

I think Houston should be converted to a LHP, myself.

Depth in the second row appears to be a problem for all Oz teams at present. It would be nice if Rudi Vedelago would un-retire and return to the Reds.

 

[spectator]

The weaknesses I see are:

- 15 - since McLinden, Davies and Toua are unproven and the first 2 have been playing league.

Lee - As I understand it McLinden has been playing rugby union at fullback for Harlequins for the last two years, so whilst unproven at S14 he has got a rugby track record of late, at a reasonably high standard. I think he may be a good acquisition though I wonder why there wasn't the temptation to keep Andrew Walker around for one more season for the 'experience' factor?

 

[Sully]

interesting I thought McLindon was still playing League

 

[spectator]

My bad.. I thought Harlequins were a rugby side. Shit, if he is still playing league and last played rugby at school ten years ago then it does seem a little strange? It has taken Cross a while to make the transition back and I'm not sure the Reds can afford the luxury. Still think Walker for another year might have been the go.. Hynes is always an interim option.

 

[RugbyReg]

Damian McInally and Mark Bartholomeauz may have been good options too.

 

[formeropenside]

Reds team to play Ulster:

15.Aiden Toua
14.Luke Morahan
13. Morgs
12. Charlie Fetoia
11.Digby
10. Ben Gollings
9. Will Genia
8. Leroy Houston
7. Poutasi Luafutu
6. Scott Higginbotham
5. Adam Byrnes
4. Van the Man
3. James Slipper
2. James Hanson
1. Greg Holmes

16. Albert Anae
17. Jack Kennedy
18. Rob Simmons
19. Andrew Shaw
20. Brendan McKibbin
21. Anthony Fainga'a
22. Rod Davies

This is how Ulster Rugby are billing the game...

Bring a little sunshine back into your life at Ravenhill this Friday night, as Ulster take on the Queensland Reds...
The weather has certainly been the talk of the town, but come Friday (22nd August), rugby is sure to be main topic of conversation, as Australian Super 14 side Queensland Reds take on Ulster at Ravenhill, kick off 7,.30 p.m.

After all of the torrential weather at the weekend, Ulster Rugby will not only hoping for a break in the weather for Friday?s match, but will also know that their opponents on Friday will bring a little sunshine from ?down under?, as they take to the Ravenhill pitch for the first time.

The Queensland Reds side travel over this week to take on Ulster, on the first leg for their four-fixture tour of Ireland and France. Having left behind the Australian winter, the Reds? team may be disappointed to learn that temperatures here are no better than they left behind!

Welcoming the Reds team to Belfast will be Ulster ?new boys? Ed O?Donoghue and Clinton Schifcofske, both former players with the Queensland side. However, both players have now swapped the red jersey for the white of Ulster, and as the game kicks off, friendships will no doubt be put aside, as both players will be out to secure their new team top honours on Friday night.

(sic - they forgot to mention Tom Court, the THP for Ulster)

Ulster?s line up will be strengthened by the return of Ireland internationals Bryan Young, Rory Best and Isaac Boss, whilst Ian Humphreys is named in the Ulster squad for the first time.

For Queensland Reds Coach Phil Mooney, it will be a return visit to Belfast. Mooney was last here 16months ago in the blistering sunshine of April 2007, as coach of the Australian Under 19 team taking part in the IRB Under 19 World Championships.

So why not bring a little sunshine into your summer, and join us at Ravenhill on Friday night to welcome the Queensland Reds to Ulster?
...

Ulster Team
Ulster Team: (15-9) C Schifcofske; T Nagusa, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; (1-8) B Young, R Best(C), T Court, E O'Donoghue, C D Fava, M McCullough, D Pollock, R Diack
Replacements (16-22) N Hanna, J Carey, T Anderson, C Henry, C Willis, R Dewey, B Cunningham

 

[spectator]

Tough opening match for Slipper, the 19 year old prop.

 

[TOCC]

few good names to watch in this side, Toua and Luafutu have chances to impress for starting spots in 2009.

Im interested to know the Reds intention for Ben Gollings in 2009 is as well, IMO 5/8 is a position that the Reds arent weak at, but then again he could be good for his experience to support Quade out in 2009.