Queensland Reds 2025

[Slim 293]

Vunivalu, Daugunu & Ryan all rehab.

Surprising Lachlan Anderson isn’t available, he was training in key roles last week.

The Murdoch papers are suggesting Vunivalu is "in demand" from NRL and French clubs, which could just be agent talk, but Pandaram is using his omission as a sign he's going to get an early release from RA... which wouldn't be the worst thing:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/suliasi-vunivalu-next-in-line-for-early-wallabies-release-as-nrl-and-french-rugby-clubs-come-calling/news-story/1381ccc85e5a37982bd0329e2df29dee

 

[Adam84]

No not the worst thing.. He has certainly underdelivered.

But he has improved, at least at Super Rugby level and he offers size in an otherwise tiny Reds backline especially with Petaia gone

 

[JRugby2]

He's not improved enough to justify his place in the 23. We're better off investing in the likes of Ryan, Campbell, Brice than Vunivalu.

 

[Sully]

Interesting that Hodgeman is unavailable for the Wallabies for personal reasons but named to tour here.

 

[Wilson]

Interesting that Hodgeman is unavailable for the Wallabies for personal reasons but named to tour here.

Personal reasons was the same thing listed for Porecki, whose partner is having twins. Could absolutely be the case for Hodgman if he has a kid due a bit later in the tour.

 

[Reds Rick]

The Murdoch papers are suggesting Vunivalu is "in demand" from NRL and French clubs, which could just be agent talk, but Pandaram is using his omission as a sign he's going to get an early release from RA... which wouldn't be the worst thing:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/suliasi-vunivalu-next-in-line-for-early-wallabies-release-as-nrl-and-french-rugby-clubs-come-calling/news-story/1381ccc85e5a37982bd0329e2df29dee

Got to think it would free up a fair bit of salary cap space if he left? Or was the majority of his salary RA top ups?

 

[JRugby2]

Got to think it would free up a fair bit of salary cap space if he left? Or was the majority of his salary RA top ups?

Yeah reading this and remembering that he has a top up for 2025 but someone like liam wright doesn't is shocking.

I get the realistic reasons why but it's still hard to fathom. A bloke who tripped someone twice in the same game is getting RA money but someone who has captained the wallabies doesn't.

 

[Spamnoodle]

good to see Kohan Herbert have a crack as well, he is good enough for a contract somewhere.

Hopefully in Red!

 

[Spamnoodle]

Main Japan game against Wild Knights is 4/11, first Australia XV game is 8/11. That's going to be interesting......

Sensible. We need players getting as much quality game time as possible.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

@Dismal Pillock feedback welcome

 

[LearningCurve]

No not the worst thing.. He has certainly underdelivered.

But he has improved, at least at Super Rugby level and he offers size in an otherwise tiny Reds backline especially with Petaia gone

He never seemed to effectively use that size though, apart from when he was a metre out diving over a ruck. I was always surprised how easily he went to ground when tackled. I can't imagine too many NRL clubs would have looked at Vunivalu's last few years and been thinking they wish they had him back.

 

[JRugby2]

He never seemed to effectively use that size though, apart from when he was a metre out diving over a ruck. I was always surprised how easily he went to ground when tackled. I can't imagine too many NRL clubs would have looked at Vunivalu's last few years and been thinking they wish they had him back.

Considering they are realistically two different sports where similar skillsets are applied differently, and his previous experience where he was a genuine top 10 winger in the NRL while at the Storm - I can imagine that a few NRL clubs would be keen on him

 

[LeCheese]

Considering they are realistically two different sports where similar skillsets are applied differently, and his previous experience where he was a genuine top 10 winger in the NRL while at the Storm - I can imagine that a few NRL clubs would be keen on him

His speed and elusiveness was arguably a bigger asset than his size and, at least from what we've seen on the field, he really seems to have lost it.

If he gets an NRL contract, I'd imagine he'll be taking a reasonable pay cut because we paid overs...

 

[TSR]

I thought he took a significant pay cut to stay in rugby at last contract extension.

With regards to going back to league he simply isn’t the same player he was. Sadly he did his hammys not long after coming to rugby and, for whatever reason has never been the same.

Although I do remember reading early on that his hammy issues were actually pre-existing but his injury management was handled much better at the Storm. No idea of the accuracy of that but I do know he was a much better player for the Storm than he ever showed with rugby.

 

[Adam84]

Wright locked in for shoulder reconstruction surgery, hoping to be fit for Rd1 next year

 

[Strewthcobber]

Sounds like some of those whispers about Lynagh's confidence/mental state might have been on the money.

From Doran's piece this evening at the Roar

The former Irish assistant, who worked with Schmidt for years, said the tour represented an opportunity for Lynagh to get back to doing what he does best.

“Tommy’s just relishing the opportunity to get out there and play some footy, that’s for sure,” Kiss told the Brisbane Times.

“There’s no doubt he’s going to bring some qualities back, and some of those qualities are around the areas of ‘I’m good enough’.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Wright locked in for shoulder reconstruction surgery, hoping to be fit for Rd1 next year

That's what, 15 weeks away? Without knowing any details of the surgery, that seems pretty aggressive. What's the return-to-play for a shoulder reconstruction?

 

[dru]

I've been rubbing some brain cells together (have to chase them down first) over the EOYTs and Tom Lynagh. What a simply fabulous opportunity. Reds international game is right up there for a 12yo, surely. Then flights booked for Australia XV. the XV finish half way through the Wallabies tour with the chance hanging of being brought in to the Wallaby squad. What a ride that is with a serious highlight hanging out there in the possibilities.

 

[Strewthcobber]

It's a bit of a straight shoot out between Lynagh and HMP at the moment isn't it?

Games on 27/10 and 4/11, fly to England, 8/11 and then 17/11.

Good hitouts for them both

 

[Ignoto]

That's what, 15 weeks away? Without knowing any details of the surgery, that seems pretty aggressive. What's the return-to-play for a shoulder reconstruction?

Unless there was more said at the actual pres conference, Kiss simply said : “He was really looking forward to the Spring Tour, and if not, then joining the A team afterwards. Now is the time for him to go and get the job that’s needed on it [his shoulder], and I daresay by the first game of the year, he may be available again.”

Nick Wright reported that it was a full reconstruction, so its hard to say if Nick is just extrapolating or whether more was said.

From memory, Liam's injury was a nerve one, so it could be possible that its a clean up and small repair and not a full reconstruction i.e. the 3-6 month recovery period we're thinking of.