Queensland Reds 2025

[Wilson]

I never realised the size of Annan. How come he didn't get more opportunities? Are we really disappointed about losing him or he not too fussed? Wouldn't hate to keep some big centres.

He did get a few opportunities and was arguably on the path a 21 year old should be on, it only looks light on because we tend to rely too heavily on 20 year olds before they're quite ready. Beyond that he was maybe a bit of a victim of versatility - he's played 10, 12, 13 and 15 (maybe a bit of wing too) at all levels over the past few years. Got him bench opportunities but made it hard to push past a strong centre unit (Paisami, Henry, Flook and Petaia) and depth at fullback (Campbell, Petaia and Grealy). I think he may have also had a few unfortunately timed concussions that robbed him of more opportunity.

Overall I'm a bit disappointed to lose him, but it's not a massive blow. Of the backs we've lost this year - Petaia, Grealy, Creighton, O'Connor and Annan he's probably the least important to keep (or maybe one of O'Connor/Creighton if we had kept the other). The problem is more the general difficulty in keeping guys in his position right now and how we solve it going forward.

 

[Adam84]

Went and had a look at Reds training recently, lots of new faces from the academy and presumably QPR that I didn’t recognise. There was a squad of close to 40, and that’s not including the key Wallaby players.

In rehab/Light Training:
Hodgman
Mason
Vunivalu
Daugunu
Junkyard Dog
Kalani Thomas
Petaia was also part of this group
Tim Ryan looks to be the furthest from playing out of these.

 

[TSR]

It’ll be interesting what happens with Vunivalu next year.

If he were to get his body (and mind) right and show some real form he would be a significant addition to the side.

Not going to hold my breath but I will have my fingers crossed.

 

[Adam84]

What I will say, outside of Vunivalu and Petaia, there weren’t many big bodied backs in the Reds backline, even with all the new faces.. Lachlan Anderson is another with decent size and was running a lot of crash-ball lines, but he still isn't quite as big as those other two.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

What I will say, outside of Vunivalu and Petaia, there weren’t many big bodied backs in the Reds backline, even with all the new faces.. Lachlan Anderson is another with decent size and was running a lot of crash-ball lines, but he still isn't quite as big as those other two.

Crash balls cant work if you cant catch

 

[Wilson]

What I will say, outside of Vunivalu and Petaia, there weren’t many big bodied backs in the Reds backline, even with all the new faces.. Lachlan Anderson is another with decent size and was running a lot of crash-ball lines, but he still isn't quite as big as those other two.

Depending on the rules around foreign players Mosese Dawai is probably a good chance of getting a contract to add some bulk. Lebron Naea and Lukas Ripley are the other two options there, but they're not quite as ready to throw their weight around. They are younger though so there might be room for at least one of them in the squad as well.

 

[Adam84]

Depending on the rules around foreign players Mosese Dawai is probably a good chance of getting a contract to add some bulk. Lebron Naea and Lukas Ripley are the other two options there, but they're not quite as ready to throw their weight around. They are younger though so there might be room for at least one of them in the squad as well.

Could be wrong, but didn’t see any of those players at Reds training yesterday, I had seen Dawai in socials preciously but not wince.

But my comment was even with those at the training yesterday, the only two who really stand out for size in the backs were Suli and Petaia.

 

[SouthernX]

Depending on the rules around foreign players Mosese Dawai is probably a good chance of getting a contract to add some bulk. Lebron Naea and Lukas Ripley are the other two options there, but they're not quite as ready to throw their weight around. They are younger though so there might be room for at least one of them in the squad as well.

Is Dawai capped?

I thought foreign players were fair game as long as they had an eligibility pathway in Australia.

we’ve had some good servant over the year that have slotted in only to be lost to wallabies eligibility within matter of months because of limited super rugby gigs & they left the country.

 

[TSR]

What I will say, outside of Vunivalu and Petaia, there weren’t many big bodied backs in the Reds backline, even with all the new faces.. Lachlan Anderson is another with decent size and was running a lot of crash-ball lines, but he still isn't quite as big as those other two.

Yeah - and that’s pretty much my point. Guys like Paisami & Daugunu can give us some impact, but they aren’t big guys.with Petaia going Vunivalu is really the only big back we have.

Of course that isn’t worth much if you are off the pace of the game.

 

[Dctarget]

Has Petaia been farewelled? Is he hanging around?

 

[Adam84]

Has Petaia been farewelled? Is he hanging around?

All but confirmed he will trial for NFL contract, I’d say Reds are letting him train with the squad until then in case he misses out on a NFL contract in March, he can then return to Reds.

 

[PhilClinton]

Yeh, it sounds like its NFL or back to the Reds for him.

 

[Wilson]

Signing news incoming:

x.com

x.com

With that emoji I'm guessing an extension for De Lutiis.

Or maybe not, given he's already signed through 2025...

 

[Wilson]

First guess was right, De Lutiis signs through 2026:

Massimo De Lutiis Commits 126kg of Prop Power to Reds

reds.rugby

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

IF RA can not fuck it up there is a really good groups of Props from 17-25 in Aus right now.

Angus Bell only 24, Nonggorr 23 then all these kids coming through is great to see. The concept of having these guys at 29-30 and the young beasts at 24-25 is the dream.

 

[Cole]

IF RA can not fuck it up there is a really good groups of Props from 17-25 in Aus right now.

Angus Bell only 24, Nonggorr 23 then all these kids coming through is great to see. The concept of having these guys at 29-30 and the young beasts at 24-25 is the dream.

2 of the best U19 props from Qld left for France this year as well.

 

[Wilson]

Squad for Japan named at midday.

 

[Cole]

Squad for Japan named at midday.

They must be naming it as they are boarding the plane, they play on Sunday don't they? Thought it would have been announced by now. Presuming Reds in the Wallabies squads will play Reds first then travel to Europe?

 

[Wilson]

They must be naming it as they are boarding the plane, they play on Sunday don't they? Thought it would have been announced by now. Presuming Reds in the Wallabies squads will play Reds first then travel to Europe?

The main game is November 4, not sure exactly when the warm up game is but this weekend would make sense. Don't think we'll see many Wallabies/Aus A squad members here, the timing might be a bit too tight.

 

[LeCheese]

QUEENSLAND REDS TOUR SQUAD
BACKS
Louis Werchon
Kalani Thomas
Will Cartwright
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Tom Lynagh
Heremaia Murray
Matt Brice
Dre Pakeho
Frankie Goldsbrough
Floyd Aubrey
Shaun Anderson
Sebastian Hanna
Mason Gordon

FORWARDS
Alex Hodgman
Sef Fa’agase
Matt Gibbon
Josh Nasser
Richie Asiata
George Blake
Massimo De Lutiis
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Ryan Smith
Connor Vest
Josh Canham
Taine Roiri
Kohan Herbert
Max Craig
Joe Brial
Hamish Muller