Queensland Reds 2024

[Wilson]

I liked him at 15 more than Campbell last year tbh...

The Reds really do have a glut of versatile backs, so it'll be really interesting to see how Kiss & Co. piece it together. Don't think it's been done for a while so, for the sake of it, this is how I'm sitting after a couple of Friday beers:
9. McDermott
10. Lynagh/Creighton (can't split them at this stage)
11. Vunivalu
12. JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor)
13. Flook (although Paisami will likely get first dibs)
14. Campbell/Grealy
15. Petaia

I thought Petaia did his best work when he shifted back to wing to be honest. Certainly Petaia wing and Campbell fullback feels like a better use of their talents than the other way around.

It'll be interesting to see what ideas Les Kiss and Schmidt have for Petaia, it might be that there are longer term ideas about him sticking to a specific position. I know Eddie was keen on him moving to 12, though I doubt that will still be the plan.

 

[PhilClinton]

Apologies for the league reference but Campbell reminds me of those rogue selections you’d see in QLD SOO teams, like Adam Mogg or Mick Crocker. He’s an average player but surround him with a great team and suddenly he’s the best player on the park because he brings it all together and knows where to be.

When the Reds team is humming, he seems to be in every play. It’s also why I think he either starts at fullback or doesn’t make the 23, he needs to be involved often to be most effective and find his role for the game. He doesn’t have the out and out Star power to make a big change without those involvements in my opinion.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Surprised it hasn't been floated earlier tbh - his skillset and abilities are quite nicely suited to the 13 man game

Certainly showed some league tendencies grubber kicking the ball against Fiji like 5 tackles had already been made. In all seriousness he's very skilled, but I feel as though we need to give him a position and allow him to consistently hone his craft there.

I would rather maximize the talents of a guy and allow him to play one position at a 8/10 or 9/10 quality level than have another passable utility back.

 

[Adam84]

Coincidence

 

[Wilson]

Coincidence
View attachment 18075

I think it might actual be - it feels like there has been a big up tick in content this pre-season with a posts highlighting the individual players and a few players posting the professional photos from training as well. Petaia was also put up for media the other day (before any NRL rumours) and is one of the biggest names in the squad, so he's always going to be featured.

There could be a bit of recency bias to all this but I do feel like the media strategy has been taken up a gear this year and I've been really pleased to see it coming into the season.

 

[RugbyReg]

Yeah and has anyone seen it reported anywhere else other than some random league supporter page?

 

[Wilson]

Yeah and has anyone seen it reported anywhere else other than some random league supporter page?

There was a codesport article a month or so ago about other players the NRL might be targeting after Nawaqanitawase that I think mentions him, but I haven't got a subscription so I don't know if it was because of specific conversations or just that he'd be a likely target.

 

[TSR]

I’d be amazed if he didn’t attract attention from League.

 

[RugbyReg]

Reds captain named on Monday. Big media week coming up.

 

[NCT]

Reds captain named on Monday. Big media week coming up.

Who is it likely to be Reg?

 

[SouthernX]

Who is it likely to be Reg?

The candidates?

Tate,
Wright

Any bolters?

 

[TSR]

From what I saw last year McDermott & Wright were good choices. It’ll be interesting if they go for co-captains again or just one of them.

 

[SouthernX]

Looking at team list… there’s 4 guys from brothers who I think could get the nod.

Fraser
Harry
James
Faessler

 

[TSR]

Pretty sure O’Connor decided a few years ago he didn’t want the role as he wanted to focus on his game. Personally I’d prefer Faessler & Wilson focus on their games too at this stage.

McReight seems highly regarded as a leader, but Wright seems to be a good captain already and I am not sure that a passing of the guard has any merit at the moment.

I think much the same about McDermott and he seems to me (from my view in the cheap seats) to thrive on leading the team. Part of me thinks it wouldn’t be the worst thing for him to just focus on his game too - but then he might take it as a bit of a slight.

 

[RugbyReg]

Yeah I suspect it’s between Wright, McReight and Tate. Tate most likely I reckon.

 

[emuarse]

Yeah I suspect it’s between Wright, McReight and Tate. Tate most likely I reckon.

From what I understand, Wright has the natural abilities as a captain, including a 'good' rugby brain.
I'd have him as the skipper, with Tate as VC. Have McReight as the next in line during a game if the first two go off. McReight is

 

[liquor box]

I would have Wright as my captain. If he stays fit he should be a Wallaby if he can replicate his form whenever he is fit.

He is ignored by many fans from other teams but he is statistically and visually a great player who should be considered for the Wallabies.

He is only 26 years old, I may be a fool, or I may be calling it first, but if he is injury free for the next few years he would be a great Wallabies captain for the next World Cup, he has the skills required, seems to have the support of his team and is an inspirational leader who comes back from what ever adversity is thrown at him.

I would have McReight as my deputy

 

[JRugby2]

If Paisami get the nod there surely Flook pushes to a Wing ahead of Campbell/Grealy?

You want the guy on the field.

ahead of vuni even

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Potentially. I've come around on him a bit last year and he offers the Reds a good point of difference on one of the sides of the field.

 

[Wilson]

McDermott and Wright continue on as co-captains:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1749243287976988878

Pretty happy with that