Queensland Reds 2026

[rugbyAU]

Very disappointed to see everyone in this thread ignoring the fact that the Reds are the reigning Super Rugby (AU) champions and remain the most recent Australian super side to win a grand final.
View attachment 23003

and that year all 5 Australian teams finished below the bottom ranked kiwi team in Super rugby trans Tasman

 

[Major Tom]

and that year all 5 Australian teams finished below the bottom ranked kiwi team in Super rugby trans Tasman

We we’re unbeatable against kiwi teams in super au though

 

[Ignoto]

So Jordan could be signed by the Reds and be home in time for the argies and all blacks yeah??

A backline with JP and JAS would be exciting and would be the first time we had two backs over 6 foot in a what feels like a decade.

 

[Major Tom]

So Jordan could be signed by the Reds and be home in time for the argies and all blacks yeah??

A backline with JP and JAS would be exciting and would be the first time we had two backs over 6 foot in a what feels like a decade.

We’ve had him and Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) in the same backline I’m pretty sure

 

[Tomthumb]

So Jordan could be signed by the Reds and be home in time for the argies and all blacks yeah??

A backline with JP and JAS would be exciting and would be the first time we had two backs over 6 foot in a what feels like a decade.

I'll never quite understand how Petiaia has managed to get this high of a reputation. He has missed more games through injury than any player I can ever remember, he doesn't really have a position that he's mastered and has been far more rocks than diamonds

 

[TSR]

I think he was pretty good on the wing for his last 2 seasons for the Reds. I always thought he’d make a great 13 but never rreally got there. Had some very good moments at 15, but I think wing was his spot.

But yeah - far biggest issue was his ongoing injuries.

Still you’d imagine the Reds will snap him up if they can - we desperately need some size in the backline.

 

[Major Tom]

I think he was pretty good on the wing for his last 2 seasons for the Reds. I always thought he’d make a great 13 but never rreally got there. Had some very good moments at 15, but I think wing was his spot.

But yeah - far biggest issue was his ongoing injuries.

Still you’d imagine the Reds will snap him up if they can - we desperately need some size in the backline.

He always looked good but can’t get a consistent swing at it.
I thought he looked dangerous at fullback because he actually has a massive boot, good under the high ball and deceptively fast in broken play.
One of the franchises needs to snap him up. Reds played it pretty well by supporting him knowing he would likely not make it over there. Got him off the books for a bit too.

 

[liquor box]

Interesting - I believe he went straight from the injury list here at home into their pre-season squad. Probably didn't get himself right.

It is a shame for him, but is anyone really surprised?

I was amazed he got a chance in the first place given his injury history.

 

[liquor box]

I don't think this is reasonable. The ACT has a population of under 500k people. Queensland has over 5.6m and NSW over 8.5m. For players prior to their professional careers I don't think it is overly realistic to argue that the Super Rugby teams have made much of a contribution in developing the players. They're far more a product of their genetics, parents facilitating their success and the schools/clubs they play for.

Even the kids who play Super Rugby 15s/16s/19s etc. aren't deriving the bulk of their development from those structures.

Throughout the history of Super Rugby, the Brumbies largely have had to recruit from the players deemed surplus to needs at the Reds and Waratahs and I think it is incredibly hard to argue that they haven't outproduced NSW and Qld in terms of turning those players into high level professionals and Wallabies.

I wonder if ACT have an advantage of making these recruits believe they are under dogs, so they work harder, "they didn't want you, why not prove them wrong".

 

[Strewthcobber]

I wonder if ACT have an advantage of making these recruits believe they are under dogs, so they work harder, "they didn't want you, why not prove them wrong".

Are NSW and Qld doing a great job of getting the best 16 year olds into their systems, except they aren't the best 20 year olds?

 

[Spamnoodle]

Why do they end up with the Better players then?

Credit is due to the Brumbies system helping players reach their potential.

 

[PhilClinton]

I'll never quite understand how Petiaia has managed to get this high of a reputation. He has missed more games through injury than any player I can ever remember, he doesn't really have a position that he's mastered and has been far more rocks than diamonds

Petaia is the perfect example of a player who was nurtured through the pathways and thrown into Super Rugby before his body was ready, in my opinion.

I genuinely believe he would have benefitted from 2 years of playing 1st grade rugby against men. It would have helped him understand his body and realise he wouldn't be able to beat defenders on every play.

Looking at Petaia vs Kerevi is quite interesting if you compare their two careers - Samu played Colts and Grades rugby for a number of years and was dominant at that level, he even ran out for GPS 2nd grade a few times as a Colt and play very well. He was dominant at every level because he adapted his play style slightly and then moved that same play style into Super Rugby and eventually the Wallabies.

 

[Wilson]

Reds draw announcement:

https://x.com/Reds_Rugby/status/1960854896766496903

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I'll pick a 9-5 season with big potential for 10-4. Top 4 finish.

Round 2 bye stinks but it is what it is.

 

[Major Tom]

A rd 2 bye after having rd 1 bye this year is brain dead scheduling.

 

[Sword of Justice]

That seems like a pretty good draw to me. Having Crusaders and Chiefs is ideal for an optimist but on the other hand maybe that’s two home losses to piss off the fans.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I split it when looking at the draw. They'll get up for it.

Decent crowd draw games to get. Hopefully the Reds can play on a dry surface next season.

 

[Braveheart81]

Petaia is the perfect example of a player who was nurtured through the pathways and thrown into Super Rugby before his body was ready, in my opinion.

I genuinely believe he would have benefitted from 2 years of playing 1st grade rugby against men. It would have helped him understand his body and realise he wouldn't be able to beat defenders on every play.

Looking at Petaia vs Kerevi is quite interesting if you compare their two careers - Samu played Colts and Grades rugby for a number of years and was dominant at that level, he even ran out for GPS 2nd grade a few times as a Colt and play very well. He was dominant at every level because he adapted his play style slightly and then moved that same play style into Super Rugby and eventually the Wallabies.

It's a tricky situation to work out the best option though because no one is going to pay Petaia $100k+ to play Colts for a couple of years. You'd struggle to find a young player who would turn down large contracts because they want more time to develop first.

I'd guess that if Kerevi had been offered contracts sooner he would have taken them. I'm also not sure that it's reasonable to argue that Kerevi having those extra years of preparation meant he was less injury prone going forward.

The fact that Petaia is 25 now and still struggling with injuries on a regular basis is perhaps evidence that this is just his reality and it isn't likely to change.

 

[PhilClinton]

It's a tricky situation to work out the best option though because no one is going to pay Petaia $100k+ to play Colts for a couple of years.

Unless your name is Tom Lynagh.

 

[Braveheart81]

Unless your name is Tom Lynagh.

He had one year with a Reds contract before he made his debut.

I would assume he would have played in 2022 if he was needed and/or beat out the players ahead of him (was James O'Connor 10 for most of that season with Lawson Creighton playing some games as well?).