Queensland Reds 2025

[JRugby2]

My mind is just boggling at this attitude.
It's an awesome initiative that should be applauded.
It's a proper pre season, not a pretend hit out in the country against the Waratah B side.

Both the Tahs and Reds have taken the FoR fairly seriously the last few years. They recognised what it meant to the communities and respected the fixture by running out all of their non-injured starters for at least half the game (not unlike what they do for every pre-season game and what they'll most likely do in the UK). Bit rude to call it a pretend hit out

 

[Adam84]

i think both scenarios have value to varying degrees…

as for players treating it like a piss trip, well, you’d hope they have the professionalism and leadership within the group to deal with that, and if they don’t then they don’t deserve to win games.

maybe a reason Liam Wright is travelling despite training in a ‘no-contact’ bib and doubtful he will play

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Both the Tahs and Reds have taken the FoR fairly seriously the last few years. They recognised what it meant to the communities and respected the fixture by running out all of their non-injured starters for at least half the game (not unlike what they do for every pre-season game and what they'll most likely do in the UK). Bit rude to call it a pretend hit out

All trial games have a level of BS about them. Any team worth a pinch of shit would have 10-12 of the starters known already for round 1 and it's more a chance for fringe guys to push their case which is a more than worthy cause.

These games had a good intensity to them given the natural rivalry and as you say its the communities and Rugby that got a lot out of it as well. Hopefully it comes back. I'm sure Bowral and the Southern Highlands are looking forward to the Tahs v Brums trial.

 

[PhilClinton]

I doubt the international pre-season tour will happen every year. It is the same logic to why things like the Lions tour happen every 4 years. It builds some interest in the event.

Kiss will no doubt want players talking about how good the UK tour was in 2025 and hoping that it builds some intrigue and drive for players, particularly the younger ones, to want to go on a future tour. If you do it every year, it loses some of that magic and just becomes part of the routine.

I think it is also important to maintain those connections with the local teams.

 

[Spamnoodle]

If by ‘no-one’ you mean every player after the game, then yes.

UK clubhouse after-match pissups are the stuff of legend. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re peeling Harry Wilson off the changeroom floor when it is time to go home.

But I think that is part of the fun of these tours and bringing the team together.

Maybe if it was a club tour or end of year hit out.
But two decent hitouts OS before an important season?
Would be pretty unprofessional. A few beers, no doubt. But hitting the piss? If it's true it's no wonder we're ranked so low.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Both the Tahs and Reds have taken the FoR fairly seriously the last few years. They recognised what it meant to the communities and respected the fixture by running out all of their non-injured starters for at least half the game (not unlike what they do for every pre-season game and what they'll most likely do in the UK). Bit rude to call it a pretend hit out

It was a joke.... A dig at the Waratah supporter questioning this tour.
Sheesh

 

[JRugby2]

It was a joke.... A dig at the Waratah supporter questioning this tour.
Sheesh

I think you might be over-reacting to my reply mate

 

[SouthernX]

I doubt the international pre-season tour will happen every year. It is the same logic to why things like the Lions tour happen every 4 years. It builds some interest in the event.

Kiss will no doubt want players talking about how good the UK tour was in 2025 and hoping that it builds some intrigue and drive for players, particularly the younger ones, to want to go on a future tour. If you do it every year, it loses some of that magic and just becomes part of the routine.

I think it is also important to maintain those connections with the local teams.

I disagree on the frequency of these tours Phil.

with the scrapping of the NRC and Rugby Australia doing sweet FA in terms of 3rd tier there’s players that need to be exposed to rugby that’s higher level of qpr.

visiting Wales team, trip over to Tonga, sneaky tour to Japan/europe. Feels like the new norm in terms of getting rugby and development minutes for players outside of either qpr or super rugby

 

[Strewthcobber]

Is now the right time to mention that I was joking about them getting on the piss based on Kiss's comments about "old school rugby" and "tour mentality"?

Edit - deleted post loses the context here.....

 

[JRugby2]

Its a great play. If you ever read something from me that you don't like - relax, its a joke.

 

[Tomikin]

Its a great play. If you ever read something from me that you don't like - relax, its a joke.

I thought it was pretty obvious

and if you don't like something I post... go fuck yourself (Joking I dont care what you think)

 

[Spamnoodle]

Its a great play. If you ever read something from me that you don't like - relax, its a joke.

Don't be so serious... And learn to understand subtle sarcasm.

Also. Fuck off.

 

[dru]

This Reds thread seems to have been diverted.

Try this: De Lutiis

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

This Reds thread seems to have been diverted.

Try this: De Lutiis

That's a brilliant write up. Are we calling him MASS or what.

Big Mass

 

[SouthernX]

I initially confused Zane Nonggorr for Dane Zander in that article where De Lutiss saw what “Dane” was doing and used that as inspiration to get in shape.

Wow - Dane impact on the reds left a lasting impression.

 

[TSR]

This Reds thread seems to have been diverted.

Try this: De Lutiis

I’m a bit split here.

On the one hand genuinely excited to have a number of really exciting front row prospects coming through. Given Australia’s scrummaging at test levels has been embarrassingly poor in the not too distant past it’s nice to see.

On the flip side, I really hope we temper our expectations here. He is already getting a lot of attention for a front rower who is yet to play Super Rugby.

On a related note I’m keen to see how Nonggorr goes this year. I thought he really improved in Super Rugby last year. Given he’s only 24 years old this year and his period with the Wallabies last year I’m hoping for him to really kick on.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

You make a good point. I think mot people are somewhat level headed enough to know he'll take some time once scrummaging against experienced pros 10+ times a game.

It's just great to see these prospects in the pipeline behind the likes of Bell, Nonggorr who are both 24. Come 2027 they are in there prime and hopefully these younger guys have established themselves as Starting Super Rugby players ready to push the mid/late 20s guys. Then behind the likes of De Luttis are players like Uys, Goddard...

 

[dru]

I’m a bit split here.

On the one hand genuinely excited to have a number of really exciting front row prospects coming through. Given Australia’s scrummaging at test levels has been embarrassingly poor in the not too distant past it’s nice to see.

On the flip side, I really hope we temper our expectations here. He is already getting a lot of attention for a front rower who is yet to play Super Rugby.

On a related note I’m keen to see how Nonggorr goes this year. I thought he really improved in Super Rugby last year. Given he’s only 24 years old this year and his period with the Wallabies last year I’m hoping for him to really kick on.

Completely. I'm really hopeful for Nonggorr.

Along with De Lutiis I've got my eye on George Blake who at least has some exposure to pro rugby. He'll likely be 4th in line this year, but IO can't imagine that all three in front of him will continue to 2026.

I think it's important to continue the development pathways at the same time that some form of consolidation is required with the ex-Rebel in-take.

 

[liquor box]

Given how little games the Queensland Reds actually play, if its financially doable, both a tour and playing in the country should be something they strive for.

Touring Japan and then the UK/Europe is all possible after super season is done and doesn't require the Wallabies (hell the Reds could tour the UK when the Wallabies have their EOYT and allow for the Wallabies to pull in players for injury cover or training partners).

I wonder if a slightly smaller touring squad would be viable and then have the country game?

You make a good point. I think mot people are somewhat level headed enough to know he'll take some time once scrummaging against experienced pros 10+ times a game.

It's just great to see these prospects in the pipeline behind the likes of Bell, Nonggorr who are both 24. Come 2027 they are in there prime and hopefully these younger guys have established themselves as Starting Super Rugby players ready to push the mid/late 20s guys. Then behind the likes of De Luttis are players like Uys, Goddard...

If Nonggorr comes along like we hope will one have to switch to LHP so they both get big minutes?