Queensland Reds 2009

[the gambler]

Nah the Force beat the Saracens development team so all square Former.

 

[Pfitzy]

"It was a great night all round with Nice presenting a very spirited and physical challenge and the lads even got to meet Prince Albert.

Should send them to Mardi Gras - Prince Alberts everywhere I hear

 

[formeropenside]

A bit in the SMH today confirming that Turinui has re-signed with the Reds for another two years. Apparently the deal was done on tour in France, so it may be that Van and Genia are not confirmed to re-appear in '09.

I wonder when Nic Berry's french contract is up?

 

[Ash]

Going back to the potential signing of Gollings, the Reds have also signed former Canberra Raiders playmaker Mark MacLinden. Wonder where he will slot into things, and if he's another option for a half? I'd guess he'd be a stop gap at 15 until Toua and Davies develop further. Reds seem to now have plenty of backs, though (Cooper, Barnes, Lucas, Genia, Fainga'a, Turinuri, MacLinden, Fetoai, Connor, Va'aulu, Ioane, Hynes, Davies, Toua), and I suspect I've missed one or two somewhere. Guess there's still room for Gollings, but I wonder if he's worth a "marquee" salary if he might not even get to play...

 

[spectator]

Apparently McLinden is an option for 9 as well as 15 which suggests he could slot in anywhere in the backline. I understand Schifoske recommended him on the basis of the professionalism and the experience he would bring to the Reds.

With regard to the tour, I have heard that Jake Schatz was the 'find of the tour' and the new prop Kennedy also went well. Davies and Fainga'a were also well spoken of.

 

[Lee Grant]

Schatz was certain a big name in Qld Schools rugby last year but he was not a stand out in the games that I saw - though that small sample is neither here nor there in the scheme of things.

He played 8 at school and its as hard as nails.

It was good to see young Toua get a good write up. He was also at school last year and unlike Schatz (who was on the bench), started in that schools test where Oz Schools beat the Kiwis. He is an elusive counter attacking fullback and the ELVs will suit his style of play in professional rugby when he gets his chance.

 

[liquor box]

Fainga'a were also well spoken of.

Both of them? Were they both on tour?

I really rate the Hooker of the brothers, he just needs to bulk up a little bit to go the distance against bigger opponents.

 

[RugbyReg]

only Anthony toured.

THere's an interview with Mooney on the Reds web site about the tour. He talked highly of Shatz and Anae.

The Reds newsletter had a link to highlights from the Nice game, but I can't get it to work.

THe Reds site also has an audio interview with Ben Whitaker (from last month I think) in which he confirms that Van the Man is signed for next year.

 

[Lee Grant]

I really rate the Hooker of the brothers, he just needs to bulk up a little bit to go the distance against bigger opponents.

Belated welcome to the forum.

Geez mate - it's clear that you haven't seen a lot of Sydney club rugby recently and have not seen the size of Saia's arse playing for the Beasts. I wouldn't worry about his size compared to Freier Gimli who is on the Wallaby bench tomorrow night.

In relation to brother Anthony: it has been unfortunate that the young inside centre, and no doubt reasonable backup 10, has been plagued by injury since he left school. With all the injuries the Brumbies had last year he could have had an opportunity to shine. Instead, and to his great credit, Tyrone Smith got his chance, though perhaps Smith would have been rated higher by Fisher anyway.

Because of this fragility I question Anthony's ability to play enough in professional rugby to make an impact for the team he is playing for.

As one who has seen him play since Yr. 11 at school and has hob-nobbed at games with his family, one of whom hoped he would play for the Raiders (and may have her hopes realised in brother Colby), I sincerely hope that my prediction is wrong.

If that is the case, the Reds will have a valuable backup next year at 12 and in a matchday 22, at 10 also.

 

[RugbyReg]

So we have signed Ezra Taylor for 2 years. From the Highlanders. Born in Briso so not a poach. An 8 or 6 apparently. Anyone know anymore about him?

I hope shatz is signed up to the Academy as it would be a shame to lose him caused we signed a kiwi.

 

[formeropenside]

So we have signed Ezra Taylor for 2 years. From the Highlanders. Born in Briso so not a poach. An 8 or 6 apparently. Anyone know anymore about him?

I hope shatz is signed up to the Academy as it would be a shame to lose him caused we signed a kiwi.

Noddy - where did you see this?

Yeah I hope we keep Schatz - why couldn't we get Mowen back?

Still, its always good to see a Qld boy come home.

Full name Ezra Taylor
Date of birth April 6, 1983 (1983-04-06) (age 25)
Place of birth Brisbane, Australia
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 111 kg (17 st 7 lb)

 

[RugbyReg]

Check the Australian's web site. So it should be on fox sports soon.

 

[formeropenside]

Thanks Noddy - Virgil or Jury, is he any good?

 

[Virgil]

Thanks Noddy - Virgil or Jury, is he any good?

Sorry mate never seen him play, dont follow crap teams like the Highlanders :lmao:
Jury is stuck down the South Island, he may have caught him playing.

 

[formeropenside]

In the print C-M today there is a couple of paragraphs about Brendan McKibbin signing a 3-month deal with Eddie Jones' Saracens.

Mooney said that McKibbin would be back for the S14 and was off with the Reds blessing, and that McKibbin was broadly in the Reds plans for 09.

 

[formeropenside]

Premier Colt of the Year a player with a future

Monday, 22 September 2008

The 2008 Queensland Premier Colt of the Year Jake Schatz is just the type of young player QR Reds Head Coach Phil Mooney wants to develop as a future Red - a home grown talent with a passion for the game and the jersey, hungry to knuckle down and do the work that?s required to play at the highest level.

At 1.9m and 103kg, the teenage No 8 captained Sunnybank to a Colts Premiership in his first season out of high school, to become the first winner of the newly created medal for the best player of the Premier Colts competition.

Barely 18 when he flew out to Ireland and France on the Reds? end of season development tour, the QAS Reds Academy prospect flew back much wiser about the challenge ahead of him.

?It was a lot harder and a lot tougher, playing with the older guys,? he said of his first experience of open grade, representative football, where the opposition included players of the calibre of Irish and Lions international centre Brian O?Driscoll.

?I need to get fitter and stronger. They (senior players) are a lot harder to move and steal the ball from?

?It was quicker as well, but I didn?t mind that part.?

The son of popular former Easts prop forward Terry Schatz, the strapping No 8 himself started out as a prop when he first pulled on a Sunnybank jersey at the age of six.

?I?ve always been a forward, but I am slowly making my way back.?

He moved to his preferred position while at school at Brisbane?s Anglican Grammar School, Churchie, where he was coached by the respected Tom Barker, who he cites as one of the biggest contributors to his rugby development, along with his father, Terry, and Reds Academy Head Coach Paul Carozza.

The players he admires include former Wallaby and Reds No 8 Toutai Kefu and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

?I enjoyed watching him (Kefu). I try to play like him and McCaw is also a good player who I enjoy watching.?

The transition from schoolboy to professional rugby hasn?t fazed the youngster.

?I didn?t have much trouble adapting to it, I was in NTS (National Talent Squad), so they?re similar. It?s (Reds Academy) just a bit more intense, which is good, I?ve really enjoyed it.

?With or without the ball I don?t mind, it?s just getting in there and giving it your best shot?.

Away from rugby Schatz is studying construction management at QUT.

?Dad?s an electrician. I?ve been to work with him. I don?t mind the job site.?

When he gets the chance he also likes to play a bit of golf and admits to being ?alright?, the competitor in him showing through.

While he?s been training with QR Reds squad in the off-season, he?s level headed enough to know that his first Reds cap is still many hours of sweat and effort away, as he spends a second year in the Academy working on getting bigger and more skilful.

The Reds coaching also know that Schatz has a lot to learn and do, but having seen the way he handled the step up in Ireland and France, they?re confident they have a useful prospect on their hands.

?He performed very well on the (development) tour, given that it was his first experience at that level,? said QR Reds Forwards Coach Mark Bell, not one for dishing out praise lightly.

?He?s a good footballer and a kid with a lot of potential.?

Schatz?s challenge now is to convert potential to performance.

 

[formeropenside]

QRU must be running a "meet the QAS" week...

No easy time for Slipper

Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Nineteen year old QAS Reds Academy prop James Slipper thinks he came off the field three inches shorter than when he went on after his scrum examination against Ulster in the first game of the QR Reds end of season development tour.

Slipper played open age rugby in the Trinity Queensland Premier competition in 2008 but packing down against several hundred kilos of prime Irish beef was a valuable new experience for the 2007 Australian Schoolboy, despite the discomfort.

?I learnt a lot, especially scrumming against the Ireland props. That?s their main game. The forward, up in your face-type game.?

His cauliflower-eared opponents gave him one scrum to settle in before turning on the power.

?The first scrum was alright, but the second one, I felt my sternum hit my spine I reckon. The hit was alright but you can just feel their weight, too much weight. I felt three inches shorter when I came off.?

Relishing the honour of starting the match against Ulster, Slipper ignored the discomfort to soak up the atmosphere ? and the rugby lessons and experience the tour was designed to provide for would-be Reds such as himself.

?There were about 10,000 people there. It was awesome. I?ve never played in such an atmosphere in my life. They just love their footy over there, love their rugby. It doesn?t matter who you?re playing, they applaud both sides. It?s something I haven?t seen in a while.

?After the game they?re (the Ulster players) the nicest blokes on earth, but during the game, oh it?s rough. I got absolutely belted.?

Slipper?s last big game was in David Croft?s Queensland XV against the international Barbarians at Ballymore, which was a different experience again to the Ulster match.

?I didn?t mind the Baa-baa?s game, although it was painfully fast for a front rower.?

Slipper can pack down on both sides of the scrum but is focusing on tighthead, under the tutelage of QR Reds forwards Mark Bell and his former Southport School 1st XV coach Matt Taylor, now a QAS Reds Academy Coach, who he cites as having a big influence on his career.

?He (Taylor) was my TSS coach for two years in the 1st XV. When I came here, he came here this year. He?s following me,? he laughs.

Slipper is now in off-season training with the main Reds squad, which has involved more adjustment and focus

?There?s a big difference (between Reds and Academy sessions), it?s a lot more full on. In Academy it?s only part time and now it?s full time, it?s hard to keep up. The pressure is on, to perform at training and keep up.?

Keeping up ? and getting ahead of the competition ? is Slipper?s plan, especially under the new Experimental Law Variations which encourage a faster game.

?As a prop it (a faster game) is harder but I don?t mind it. I base my game around getting around the field more than the other props, so it makes them more stuffed than me.

?It?s (mobility) something I?m working very hard on at the moment.?

 

[formeropenside]

UPDATE:

I stole this from Noddy a few pages back and added Ezra Taylor:

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

Thats 31; usually squads are 33 but I am unsure whether the development and marquee import players are on top of that or not.

In any event Qld still have both slots, and have publicly stated that they looking for an specialist fetcher. Gollings (a 10 ex-England 7's) may be an import also, there have been whispers to that effect and he turned out at 10 for the Reds v Auckland and on the NH tour.

I suppose the best team at this stage is:

15. Toua
14. Hynes
13. Turiniu
12. Barnes
11. Digby
10. Cooper
9. Lucas
8. Houston
7. Luafutu/TBA
6. MMM
5. Van
4. Horwill
3. Edwards
2. Hardman
1. Holmes

16. probably Fainga'a over Hanson at this stage
17. out of Daley, Weeks and Kennedy there is about 10 mins of S14 experience: anyone got a 3-sided coin?
18. Simmons
19. Higginbotham
20. Genia/McLinden
21. Connor/Fetoia
22. Davies/Va'aulu

That bench is a bit rough.

 

[RugbyReg]

I reckon Davies will be a good show to start at fullback. Lightning fast, good defence and very good under the high ball. Toua seems prone to the odd mistake still.

One backrow option I wouldn't mind seeing is MMM at 8, new recruit at 7 (or Luafatu) with Luafatu at 6 (or Higginbottham).

Anthony Fainga'a will good value from the bench with McLinden (I guess) but we need Genia there, assuming he has signed.

 

[Lee Grant]

There are some good players there but they are still losing too many other good players to improve their lot IMO.

I was pilloried on the other forum before the 2006 season that the Reds would struggle and nominated 9th IIRR. I had them below that for 2007 and double figures for 2008.

I think the same again for 2009.

One of these years I am going to be wrong and I sincerely hope that year is 2009.

Feel free to throw cyber rotten eggs at me in this forum if it happens. I will be delighted to receive them.

But I think the eggs will be thrown only if the team finds out how to win winnable games and even the odd one that doesn't look winnable. A couple of victories in NZ will be handy also.

The names of the players in the squad are less important.