I don't think he's on the QPR scene this year, but from memory he spoke how he'd upped his fitness (cycling?) regime for the Classic Reds v Tonga game however many weeks ago. He and Horwill looked two of the fittest on the park then, but that's not saying much...Does anyone know if Steve had been down at UQ doing pre-season? Or has he come straight in from his job at the Treasury to training with the team and possibly playing.
Pretty funny if that is the case, but at the same time, shows how badly the Reds need to lock in their hooking stocks for 2023 and beyond. Can't be relying on 39yr old businessmen to strap on the boots and play top level professional rugby at the drop of a hat.
Ahhh yep true. I knew he was cycling into work a while ago, but he's relocated down the coast for a sea change so I'm not sure cycling from Goldie to the CBD is viable everyday!I don't think he's on the QPR scene this year, but from memory he spoke how he'd upped his fitness (cycling?) regime for the Classic Reds v Tonga game however many weeks ago. He and Horwill looked two of the fittest on the park then, but that's not saying much...
Honestly wouldn't mind him travelling with the team for the rest of the season in a dual mentor/'last resort' role
"Righto I'm off to Super Round with the lads"I’m also kinda hoping Steve has smuggled the boots out if the house and told his wife he is going fishing.
That's the problem with QPR starting so late.If the Reds are worried about his return from injury and load management, maybe he gets another weekend off and plays for Wests in Rnd 1 QPR?
It's not like the Reds are short of wingers.
Andrew Kellaway at 13 seems like a move of absolute desperation. He's marking up on Hunter Paisami who has been the best 13 in Australia, while competing with Perese and Ikitau. I would recommend two layers of Kevlar padding for the weekend!REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff, Matt Philip, Josh Hill, Michael Wells (c), Richard Hardwick, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Matt To'omua, Glen Vaihu, Stacey Ili, Andrew Kellaway, George Worth, Reece Hodge
RESERVES: Efi Ma'afu, Cameron Orr, Rhys Van Nek, Josh Canham, Brad Wilkin, Sam Wallis, Joe Powell, Carter Gordon
If this Reds backline can’t put 50+ on the Rebels they should hand back their sizeable Wallaby top ups.
I don't think we will do too bad. It is not our best but I think we can hold our ground, we may not dominate or get tight heads but I think we will be able to get serviceable ball to the back of the scrum without going backwards.The forward pack isn’t our best though.
I mean by their own admission here, the QRU essentially saying they’d pick anyone else if QPR had started. There are blokes currently in clubland though who have played professionally and would surely be up to Super Rugby level if desperately needed - Matt Mafi and Sean Farrell come to mind.Look I don't agree with them bringing a old bull out of retirement for a game but I do understand if they don't think the next cab off the rank is ready. This reply on Facebook tells me that they are concerned about the 5th(?) in line being ready for super rugby scrums. In the unlikely event that one hooker goes down he benches and likely gets no mins or a small number of mins. I think they see it as a duty of care.
If we were talking about a winger or flanker then he wouldn't be needed.
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You have been Murphyed.Are the eyes painted on tonight? At least three forward passes from the Rebels and that short lineout to Eloff was the worst not straight of the season.