Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Don't where this thread is - maybe there isn't one yet. Has this been posted yet?
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Queensland Reds lock down Van Humphries, Rob Simmons
* Jim Tucker
* From: The Courier-Mail
* March 23, 2010 11:00PM
AGELESS forward Van Humphries has backed his faith in the Reds becoming serious semi-final contenders by re-signing until beyond his 35th birthday.
The double dose of good news at lock is that improving young blood Rob Simmons, 21 last week, has committed to a new two-year deal.
Some certainty about the team's stocks in the engine room is timely considering the loss of hard-nosed lock Adam Byrnes to Melbourne Rebels.
"Van has plenty of petrol left in the tank," IMG client manager Richard Colreavy said yesterday when confirming Humphries had inked a one-year contract extension.
"He's enjoying the new environment at the Reds and taking on a leadership role."
The forward known as Benjamin Button to teammates because he seemingly gets better and more sprightly as the years advance will be a vital factor over the next three weekends.
Humphries' excellent work in winning possession at re-starts, his lineout prowess and game sense as a worker in the tight are essential to compete against powerful South African packs.
Humphries and Simmons are likely to be retained in the starting side, with Byrnes providing grunt off the bench, for the must-win clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday morning (Qld time).
"The intention is definitely to win all three games on tour and I believe we can with minds and attitude for the job which is part of what's working in 2010," Humphries said.
"In recent years young guys heading to South Africa for the first time have had no precedent for knowing how to handle such a tour or opponents but they are now that bit more toughened to the business."
The Reds sit seventh with a 3-2 record but can really leap up the table by winning at least two of their tour games against the Cheetahs, Sharks and Lions, who all sit in the bottom four.
Humphries may turn 35 in January but he has relatively light kilometres on the clock because he's had the long, regenerating off-seasons that Wallabies never get.
"I don't really know if I have a secret to playing for so long ... young at heart, maybe?" said Humphries, who made his debut for Queensland a decade ago.
The 2m Simmons and NSW Waratahs eye-catcher Kane Douglas are among the new breed of young locks making a mark this season.
Simmons is of cattle farming stock from outside tiny Theodore and his recent answer to the question of his 2011 plans was refreshingly transparent with its loyalty.
"Mate, you don't get more Queensland than coming from central Queensland," Simmons said.
It has flowed into a two-year contract that stamps him as a long-term partner for James Horwill when the injured Wallaby returns in 2011.
******************
Queensland Reds lock down Van Humphries, Rob Simmons
* Jim Tucker
* From: The Courier-Mail
* March 23, 2010 11:00PM
AGELESS forward Van Humphries has backed his faith in the Reds becoming serious semi-final contenders by re-signing until beyond his 35th birthday.
The double dose of good news at lock is that improving young blood Rob Simmons, 21 last week, has committed to a new two-year deal.
Some certainty about the team's stocks in the engine room is timely considering the loss of hard-nosed lock Adam Byrnes to Melbourne Rebels.
"Van has plenty of petrol left in the tank," IMG client manager Richard Colreavy said yesterday when confirming Humphries had inked a one-year contract extension.
"He's enjoying the new environment at the Reds and taking on a leadership role."
The forward known as Benjamin Button to teammates because he seemingly gets better and more sprightly as the years advance will be a vital factor over the next three weekends.
Humphries' excellent work in winning possession at re-starts, his lineout prowess and game sense as a worker in the tight are essential to compete against powerful South African packs.
Humphries and Simmons are likely to be retained in the starting side, with Byrnes providing grunt off the bench, for the must-win clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday morning (Qld time).
"The intention is definitely to win all three games on tour and I believe we can with minds and attitude for the job which is part of what's working in 2010," Humphries said.
"In recent years young guys heading to South Africa for the first time have had no precedent for knowing how to handle such a tour or opponents but they are now that bit more toughened to the business."
The Reds sit seventh with a 3-2 record but can really leap up the table by winning at least two of their tour games against the Cheetahs, Sharks and Lions, who all sit in the bottom four.
Humphries may turn 35 in January but he has relatively light kilometres on the clock because he's had the long, regenerating off-seasons that Wallabies never get.
"I don't really know if I have a secret to playing for so long ... young at heart, maybe?" said Humphries, who made his debut for Queensland a decade ago.
The 2m Simmons and NSW Waratahs eye-catcher Kane Douglas are among the new breed of young locks making a mark this season.
Simmons is of cattle farming stock from outside tiny Theodore and his recent answer to the question of his 2011 plans was refreshingly transparent with its loyalty.
"Mate, you don't get more Queensland than coming from central Queensland," Simmons said.
It has flowed into a two-year contract that stamps him as a long-term partner for James Horwill when the injured Wallaby returns in 2011.
