Queensland Reds 2025

[PhilClinton]

Yeh Pup seems to be pretty good at player identification. He played a big hand in Wilson and McReight coming through the Brothers academy. And it was a big call for him to sign Fez to Randwick, he hadn’t brought many other QPR blokes down to Sydney in the 5 odd years he spent there.

 

[dru]

Question to the crowd - is Richie Asiata capable of overthrowing Fez as Qld’s no 1 no 2?

He seems to me to be the Isaac Henry of our forward pack - plenty of talent but keeps getting derailed by injuries.

But when he’s fit he seems to me to have all of the fundamentals of playing hooker plus a bit more size and power in his carries and tackles. From recollection his lineout throwing can be a bit sketchy at times but seemed on point at Bristol (although I do remember at least 1 low throw to 2 that I remember thinking a better defence would pick off. But only 1 I noticed).

Im a big fan of both Fez and Josh Nasser. I would actually have Nasser as my third Wallaby hooker at the moment in front of Polard but whilst I think both Fez and Nasser are extremely reliable I don’t think either can match the impact we see from sone of the world’s best hookers at the moment.

Interested in the views of others on here.

The line-out is Asiata's "achilles heel". He's probably a better scrummager than Fez (let alone his field work). Unfortunately the throw is fundamental in my eyes.

I can't see Fez, Asiata and Nasser all at the Reds after 2025. Don't forget Blake (I suspect he could already offer back up hooker to any injuries) and Craig also in the squad. Something is going to give as we go forward.

Anything can happen during the fullness of a season but right now it is hands down the Fez for me. Nasser may have plenty to say on the matter as well.

We have the classic environment for competition to push all of them, so perhaps a really good thing for now.

 

[Ignoto]

Interested in the views of others on here

My only gripe with Josh is, the back to back injuries he's suffered has impacted his ability to put on mass. As a result, hes a tad under developed for a position that needs strength and weight.

I was surprised to see him get a gig at the Wallaby level, and while you cant question his woke ethic, I do have concerns about the set pieces taking a step back.

For me I've always liked the explosivness Richie brings to a game. He has great leg drive in contact and I think he's a great impact player with Matt setting the pace to start with.

 

[tig]

Asiata can be an emergency prop if necessary - he played there a bit at Easts with Andrew Ready hooking.

 

[TSR]

Which is useful - but given our stable of props I’m hoping we don’t need to use him there.

 

[Wilson]

Highlights available here (I recommend turning your volume down before hitting play):

Match Highlights: Bristol Bears v Queensland Reds

reds.rugby

Really impressed with the 50/22 from Lynagh - kicks it while attacking the line, just inside the 50, really smart play. Support play was excellent, every break was well backed up. Also, I reckon Daugunu is going to score a lot of tries this year, he's looking very sharp.

 

[dru]

Highlights available here (I recommend turning your volume down before hitting play):

Match Highlights: Bristol Bears v Queensland Reds

reds.rugby

Really impressed with the 50/22 from Lynagh - kicks it while attacking the line, just inside the 50, really smart play. Support play was excellent, every break was well backed up. Also, I reckon Daugunu is going to score a lot of tries this year, he's looking very sharp.

Thanks for that. Tough to criticise on a highlights only video, but I'm thinking defence on the line might be looked at. Really nice backing up and creativity throughout. Hopefully the Reds can hold the intent together with excellence against better opponents.

Do we get a stream of the next tour-trial?

 

[redstragic]

My impression from the highlights is that Bristol would have fielded a development side? It was nice seeing us run it then put it through the hands.

 

[Rhino_rugby]

Honestly when the Reds picked up Fez I never imagined he’d turn into the player he has. I’m not surprised he wasn’t considered a prime signing at the time. Although maybe people in the know thought differently I guess.

Yeah, I never expected Fez to develop into the player he is now.
At the time, he didn’t seem like a marquee signing, but maybe those with inside knowledge saw his potential early on.

 

[Rhino_rugby]

Yeh Pup seems to be pretty good at player identification. He played a big hand in Wilson and McReight coming through the Brothers academy. And it was a big call for him to sign Fez to Randwick, he hadn’t brought many other QPR blokes down to Sydney in the 5 odd years he spent there.

Signing Fez to Randwick was a big call, but it’s paid off!

 

[liquor box]

Despite all the calls that is was a second rate team, I am very happy.

It is the pre season, these games are to get us pumped up for our teams success for the upcoming season.

My hot take on last night is that this years Reds team will be unstoppable, we demolished a premiership rugby team, over come travel and still got over 80 points. They may as well give up the Super Rugby trophy now, the other teams are playing for second.

Those who are upset at the competition, don't be so serious, Rugby is back, this should be celebrated and there seems to be very little that should make Reds fans worried about the upcoming season.

 

[TSR]

David Hanham talked about the importance of all of the extra games the Reds have played to help develop depth and all of the experience for the players playing in different conditions.

When you throw in the guys who played Aussie A games a lot of these guys have had cracking off seasons.

 

[Purce]

Questionnfor anyone who watched that whole game... how did the piggies go? Highlights are basically the back running it in time after time.

Did they set a good platform? How was it in the loose? Asiata's try soomed to come from a well defended drive which I would have expected our pack to dominate.

 

[TSR]

I thought the pigs were good. Set peice pretty good. Ball retention and phase play all pretty sound.

Maybe some issues around defence - got caught a couple of times. But generally a strong performance.

 

[Adam84]

Mostly agree with TSR. Defence was a bit sloppy at times, conceded too many meters in tight.

lots of ball movement through the forwards in attack as well…

 

[dru]

Despite all the calls that is was a second rate team, I am very happy.

It is the pre season, these games are to get us pumped up for our teams success for the upcoming season.

My hot take on last night is that this years Reds team will be unstoppable, we demolished a premiership rugby team, over come travel and still got over 80 points. They may as well give up the Super Rugby trophy now, the other teams are playing for second.

Those who are upset at the competition, don't be so serious, Rugby is back, this should be celebrated and there seems to be very little that should make Reds fans worried about the upcoming season.

Rugby is back? - if a rugby ball is on a rugby field and no-one was there to stream it - did it happen at all?

Bring on the season. My only real downer at the moment is the heavy speculation that we will lose Les before we are ready to give him up.

 

[hawko07]

Rugby is back? - if a rugby ball is on a rugby field and no-one was there to stream it - did it happen at all?

Bring on the season. My only real downer at the moment is the heavy speculation that we will lose Les before we are ready to give him up.

If Les goes to the Wallabies, is Cheika returning to Aus to coach the reds...??

 

[Wilson]

Ulster v Reds will be live streamed, (cost of £7.5)

x.com

x.com

 

[LeCheese]

Ulster v Reds will be live streamed, (cost of £7.5)

It's probably just because I've become accustomed to the freely streamed (or incl. in my Stan membership) trial games in the past, but $15 feels... steep.

This tour has certainly given me a new appreciation for how most trial games are handled over this side of the world.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I have seen the future, and it's every sports team in the world running their own streaming channel and trying to fleece $15 from me for every game