The rumour has been at least half/half RA and the club for the non Wallabies top up players, though that is just rumour. There's every chance he may have signed a new contract with a proper Wallabies top up though, given the state of the local lock stocks and his positioning as first choice under Schmidt. We might know more tomorrow when we find out how long the deal is.I wonder who is covering his $600k next year? He wasn't getting a top-up in Melbourne. I bet RA is covering some of it while in Red
The fact that they keep reporting on Petaia’s injury status with regards to Wallabies selection gives me some hope he’ll be retained
What is Feleti Kaitu’u up to?So is this the likely case?
HK: Faessler, Nasser, Asiata
Prop: Hodgman, Gibbon, Blake, Faagase, Nonggoor, JTA, Delutis
Locks: Smith, Canham, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Blyth, Vest
BR: Mcreight, Uru, Wilson, Brial, Wright, Bryant
HB: Mcdermott, Thomas, Werchon
FH: Lynagh, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor), HMP
C: Paisami, Henry, Flook, Annan
OB: Daugunu, Anderson, Grealy, Campbell, Ryan, Vunivalu
Gone: Ravai
Likely to leave: Daly, Anderson, Aubrey, Petaia
Academy: Craig, King, Roiri, Goldsborough
I wouldn't be so sure yet, Blake looks like he might be playing loosehead at Manawatu in the off season and the Reds might be keen to keep him there with Ravai gone. I don't think we'll break the bank for him but I wouldn't be surprised to see Kaitu'u given an offer. It's a position it definitely helps to have depth in and I'm guessing he hasn't received anything fantastic from overseas, or else he would've already signed.Free agent. We have 2 Wallabies hookers, the 3rd choice just scored a hat-trick against Wales, Blake has shown the ability to chop out there and Craig coming through. Won't be picked up by us
Anderson is a wasted contract according to most “experts” - whether it’s the back or the forward.So is this the likely case?
HK: Faessler, Nasser, Asiata
Prop: Hodgman, Gibbon, Blake, Faagase, Nonggoor, JTA, Delutis
Locks: Smith, Canham, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Blyth, Vest
BR: Mcreight, Uru, Wilson, Brial, Wright, Bryant
HB: Mcdermott, Thomas, Werchon
FH: Lynagh, JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor), HMP
C: Paisami, Henry, Flook, Annan
OB: Daugunu, Anderson, Grealy, Campbell, Ryan, Vunivalu
Gone: Ravai
Likely to leave: Daly, Anderson, Aubrey, Petaia
Academy: Craig, King, Roiri, Goldsborough
Anderson seems strangely underrated by Aus fans? He's a decent defender, good finisher, and has given the NZ teams trouble in the past, he's good from a depth perspective.Grealy signed with the Force and Vunivalu appears on the outer. Despite my post above there have been regular reports Petaia won’t at the Reds next year. That would leave us only Daugunu, Campbell and Ryan as specialist back three players. Anderson gives us depth with Super Rugby experience. Might prove only to be a place holder but seems a good signing in terms of squad depth.
I think Anderson allows for plenty of depth where squad rotation is concerned, which Kiss has said himself was one of the key issues with their past season. Where the Hurricanes, Blues, and Chiefs can rotate through their deep squads and not miss a beat, the Aus sides typically have to flog their best players to remain competitive, which sees them struggle at the pointy end of the season.Anderson offers a bit of size in a vastly undersized Reds backline, Flook and Paisami are two of the smallest centre in Super Rugby for their position, compounded by Campbell and Ryan also being small framed players.
the only ones with size besides Anderson who crack 95kg are Petaia and Vunivalu. Daugunu returning isn’t big, but he plays physical.
The press release only mentions the Reds signing him, and only for the 2025 season. So I guess still on that original contract?The rumour has been at least half/half RA and the club for the non Wallabies top up players, though that is just rumour. There's every chance he may have signed a new contract with a proper Wallabies top up though, given the state of the local lock stocks and his positioning as first choice under Schmidt. We might know more tomorrow when we find out how long the deal is.
As I’ve said 10,000 times before - the SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) season is hardly a competition where players ‘flog themselves’ and need rest and rotation.