Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
I know it's the Reds thread UTR, but if the suggestion is to spend $1m on a player, then obviously it has to come out of RA funds, not the Reds. That was the basis for my comment.
Queensland Reds 2024
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
benchplayer
Frank Row (1)
Can someone confirm whether Alex Hodgman has signed with the Reds. I can't see this information anywhere except for this forum. Don't know if it is true. If true he is a very good signing. A very mobile Loosehead prop who is like a breakdown specialist, plays like a loosie.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
I don't think there's been anything officially announced at the Reds end at this stage, but the Blues did announce he was leaving and he hasn't popped up anywhere else yet, so there's some credibility to the rumour.
I imagine there won't be anything official announced in terms of new signings until they've actually announced Les Kiss as head coach.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Oh I was just saying that it's UNFORTUNATE that the Reds u20 forwards were the backups. Neither will add any significant value to the pro squad imo.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
OK. Hopefully you are being a bit harsh and they will develop to Super Rugby level or above in time.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
I was speaking to their Schoolboy coach and he agreed. Like a Adam K, Hewat, Schatz.- too big for 7, too weak for 8, too short for 6 type players that do really well at this level but struggle for impact at pro level. Though Schatz did pretty well but alot of pro teams didnt rate him enough.
P.S Would love to be wrong.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Might be ideal for 7. It's a changing position in a changing world.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Challenger series is back and has been expanded to include a women's challenger series:
reds.rugby
Queensland Rugby Challenger Series to return in 2023 for men and women
The Queensland Rugby Challenger Series will return in 2023 after the concept’s successful introduction last year, with an aligned women's program set to feature for the first time at Ballymore Stadium.
reds.rugby
Misunderstood fan
Jimmy Flynn (14)
There is a good crop of young kids coming through the system. Kiss needs to get some specialist training after the club comp particularly in the front row. Players like Max Craig, Nick Bloomfield, Trevor King and Harry Usher. All not the biggest front row but a focused (controlled) gym program over a next 2 years would be beneficial . The locks coming through are bleak. How is Wilson Blyth travelling? Other than the guys that have debuted, the pickings are thin. Toby MacPherson who was a BBC kid is at the Brumbies and looked to perform in South Africa. Worth a call.
Back row looks stacked now and with Baker and Bryant it’s going to be ok for the next 2 years. At halfback with Tate we’re comfortable. Not sure on Kalani and Werchon yet. Luke Aiken who is in the academy is a real talent. Flyhalf with Lynagh is promising now and will be a great game controller with more confidence. If JOC (James O'Connor) is hanging around for another year that gives him time to develop. I think we’ll see his best towards the back end of next year. There is another academy player who is of big build and a massive boot but needs to get a chance in 1st grade to see his potential. I’d like to see Harry MP (Moana Pasifika) on Lynagh’s inside particularly with Paisami and Henry being injury prone. His defence and kicking will need some work. A zippy player rather than a game controller. Taj Annan has had a mixed season and I think he’s an out and out fullback. Big boot, got speed, second playmaker and a solid defender but needs time on the park. Good back up for Campbell and the centres. Tim Ryan who is an outside back has good skill and speed, and just needs his body to develop. The competition is demanding bigger and stronger players and that is evident with the Wallabies squad. It’s also obvious that the gap between U20’s and super rugby needs addressing quickly. The players need more games and that’s where the NRC or similar is important. Queensland looking good, we just need the focus on developing, creating cohesion and retaining what we’ve got. Anyway that’s my two cents.
Back row looks stacked now and with Baker and Bryant it’s going to be ok for the next 2 years. At halfback with Tate we’re comfortable. Not sure on Kalani and Werchon yet. Luke Aiken who is in the academy is a real talent. Flyhalf with Lynagh is promising now and will be a great game controller with more confidence. If JOC (James O'Connor) is hanging around for another year that gives him time to develop. I think we’ll see his best towards the back end of next year. There is another academy player who is of big build and a massive boot but needs to get a chance in 1st grade to see his potential. I’d like to see Harry MP (Moana Pasifika) on Lynagh’s inside particularly with Paisami and Henry being injury prone. His defence and kicking will need some work. A zippy player rather than a game controller. Taj Annan has had a mixed season and I think he’s an out and out fullback. Big boot, got speed, second playmaker and a solid defender but needs time on the park. Good back up for Campbell and the centres. Tim Ryan who is an outside back has good skill and speed, and just needs his body to develop. The competition is demanding bigger and stronger players and that is evident with the Wallabies squad. It’s also obvious that the gap between U20’s and super rugby needs addressing quickly. The players need more games and that’s where the NRC or similar is important. Queensland looking good, we just need the focus on developing, creating cohesion and retaining what we’ve got. Anyway that’s my two cents.
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dru
David Wilson (68)
Cheers for that Junky. Mostly quite warming, but you said yourself the lock pickings look thin. There are times we need to look beyond our backyard. It is how we got Tupou. Light weight front rowers on the horizon is also worrisome.
Developing from within is absolutely our strongest suit for the future. But we also need to step outside occasionally.
Misunderstood fan
Jimmy Flynn (14)
100% agree. The target should be bringing back the QLD developed players in some positions first. Hockings or Roda would be my first call. No wallaby level props in that category but a couple coming into super rugby like Vella and Van Nek. Carter Gordon would be high on my priority list if Lynagh doesn’t progress to expectations.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Just on that front row development, since leaving the Wallabies Petrus Du Plessis has set up a gym at the Gold Coast with a specific focus on developing scrum power and technique. It looks like he's already working with some school programs, but it'd be great to see the QRU formalise an arrangement with a focus on those guys coming through the age grades. It'd be a shame to waste such a valuable asset in our backyard.
Misunderstood fan
Jimmy Flynn (14)
With that type of set up on offer, it would be criminal not to take advantage. It will be interesting (more telling) to see if the coaching staff are on board.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Does there need to be a specific focus on QLD players or will they come naturally due to proximity. Surely focus on best player to fill the gap?
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
I think it’s about how we frame that. For me the focus should be on improving our development pathway so we improve both the quality of quantity coming through. You’d hope that you were then well positioned to keep the cream. You then supplement that with 1-2 key signings as required.
Where we stand at the moment that probably needs to be 3-4 key signings. It would be nice if those guys had some sort of link to Qld but I think at the present you would want them to be quality people + super rugby match 23 standard and everything else is a bonus.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Les Kiss set to be announced officially today:
'He'll be fantastic': Why Les Kiss is 'such a good appointment' to take the Queensland Reds forward
Super Rugby champion Rob Simmons says he’s ecstatic Les Kiss is taking over his former side, believing the former State of Origin winger turned…
www.theroar.com.au
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
A lot of positives comments from former players about Les Kiss in that article, it does sound like it'll be a change of pace from the Thorn era, which is probably what the team needs right now.
I'm still a little apprehensive about the appointment, but it's great to see the worldwide coaching search actually make it out of the Ballymore carpark for once.
I'm still a little apprehensive about the appointment, but it's great to see the worldwide coaching search actually make it out of the Ballymore carpark for once.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
He is one of the best credentialed coaches available IMO, which is what Queensland needed.
And it’s positive he has a background with Australian Rugby, not because of parochialism but because he is familiar and prepared for the unique issues faced in the game here that coaches from other countries may not be.
One big endorsement I’ve read is the focus he placed on the academy structure and connecting better with that during his time in London Irish.
And it’s positive he has a background with Australian Rugby, not because of parochialism but because he is familiar and prepared for the unique issues faced in the game here that coaches from other countries may not be.
One big endorsement I’ve read is the focus he placed on the academy structure and connecting better with that during his time in London Irish.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
That is great but I also don’t think the Reds are lacking in that area?
95% of the squad have come through QPR, Reds Academy etc.
I actually think our recruitment needs to have a broader scope going forward.
