JRugby2
Ron Walden (29)
Maybe the ones on the other side of the Tasman who we share the competition with. Who happen to passionately love rugby and have the game as their national sport. Might be a few casuals there
Queensland Reds 2025
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
I think JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) appeals pretty directly to them. Also you could argue the Reds sent two players, given Aidan Ross was there for the chiefs
JRugby2
Ron Walden (29)
He's quite good at talking to camera, and has his own vlog and other online content. Probably has more to do with that.
Not sure why Strewths comment is that controversial, It's not a slight on the guy. Seriously - if you're running Super Rugby and you have a choice between JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) and Harry Wilson to be the face of your comp, who are you really choosing?
In the photo of everyone he is the only one really smiling.
From that I see a guy who is genuinely thrilled about getting a trip to Sydney which I find completely understandable.
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
You mean the one's from his home country where he played Super Rugby for 8 years and became an All Black? I think they'd have an idea.
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
This JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) slander is giving off big Kanye gave Paul McCartney his start vibes.
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
It's a joke mate. Something for the casual fans.
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
Him being good at that stuff is the same thing in the end. It's what makes him marketable, its a big part of why he has become a local fan favourite and it's why they're using him.
It's not as though they have that much choice in who the super sides send either, so I can't see them being upset about getting JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen), who they've gone on to use a bunch compared to Aidan Ross from the Chiefs or Sean Withy(? I'm not going to lie, there are about 5 players this could be, each one as identifiable as the last) from the Highlanders.
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
Well I don't see the back-to-back Australian Super Rugby player of the year, the current Wallaby captain, or either of the two Red's captains (Tate did look a bit like a hostage in last year's one to be fair)
Anyway, I see there's already 10 posts on this so probably now 11 posts more than the comment deserved
JRugby2
Ron Walden (29)
Agree with all of that.
He'd still most likely be lower profile than a bunch of other players we'd have.
We sent Tate last year.
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
On the flipside - hasn't the Reds UK tour dates been set for something like 6 months?
They couldn't have done this photo shoot 2 weeks ago or next week?
They couldn't have done this photo shoot 2 weeks ago or next week?
JRugby2
Ron Walden (29)
They do a bit more media and the like at the same time to try and build a bit of hype closer to kick off.
Wilson
Rod McCall (65)
Would've been Wright this year based off of the Reds usual practice of having the injured captain do media. I'm not sure he has that much higher a profile than JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen), certainly not amongst broader casual fans.
Either way though you can't really blame the tour for any of this when there are other teams not on tour sending less marketable options. If they want to set a competition directive that it has to be a captain or current test rep doing this shoot I'm 100% fine with that, but if that's not in place then whether or not the Reds are on tour at this stage is irrelevant.
Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
Just to be clear, you would prefer one of Fraser, Liam, Tate or Harry to compromise getting ready and prepared for the campaign over a senior leader in JTA (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen) to step in their place?
More visibility and marketability will come from the Reds playing the UK teams than this picture that will be on the 4th back page of the Courier Mail tomorrow
LeCheese
Peter Sullivan (51)
That is incredibly optimistic
Adam84
John Eales (66)
this photoshoot aside, I object to the notion that the Reds will get more media coverage from the UK trip than they would if they were back playing those trials in Australia and attending other media engagements.
In fact I would say that's a big negative from this UK trip, is that they're removed from easy media access for the 2-3 week period leading into the season start..