Reds 2011

[daz]

Well, Gagger has Bob Dwyer writing articles at his dining room table. Surely having JP dragged out the back of the Foxsports studio and quietly executed is well within his means and influence....

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Robbie is a star I would love to have him at the Reds, but with A. Finger and Taps his road to 12 is pretty blocked. I thought the Force were pretty close to securing Robbie?

True, but Robbie is actually a 10 (having to play second fiddle to To'omua in 12 at both Brumbies and with the U20's). I'd see him slotting in behind Cooper and ahead of Taps/Lance for the 10 jumper... and behind Ant and Taps for the 12 jumper

 

[tranquility]

At Brumbies guy, I know he is originally a 10 but from the lines he was running at 12 it would seem a waste not to use him as a ball runner long-term. Most 12s start as 10s - but who can tell at this stage of development.

Coleman would be closer to 12 then Taps I reckon. Taps still has a bit of a way to go. Being said I think I said the same thing about Anthony Fainga'a. Coleman is a super star in the making.

Regarding this post Chief, why would Coleman be ahead of Tapuai? and I don't think you meant it but just to make sure, you couldn't possibly think that Coleman would unseat A. Finger in the immediate future could you?

Coleman's achievements to date was an outstanding U20s comp, where he was white hot and a pleasure to watch. But Tapuai was a member of that same squad for 2 years and was the player that kept Coleman out of the first XV last year. Prior to that A. Finger was the co-captain of the squad with his brother although it was the U19s at the time. It should also be noted that they won the competition beating NZ in the final, which we haven't been able to do recently in any age group.

Not that Coleman is coming to the Reds but if he were I would find it very hard to swallow if he were not the 3rd option at 12. but as Brumbies Guy said he is predominately a 10 and I would love him as a backup inside back.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

At Brumbies guy, I know he is originally a 10 but from the lines he was running at 12 it would seem a waste not to use him as a ball runner long-term. Most 12s start as 10s - but who can tell at this stage of development.



Regarding this post Chief, why would Coleman be ahead of Tapuai? and I don't think you meant it but just to make sure, you couldn't possibly think that Coleman would unseat A. Finger in the immediate future could you?

Coleman's achievements to date was an outstanding U20s comp, where he was white hot and a pleasure to watch. But Tapuai was a member of that same squad for 2 years and was the player that kept Coleman out of the first XV last year. Prior to that A. Finger was the co-captain of the squad with his brother although it was the U19s at the time. It should also be noted that they won the competition beating NZ in the final, which we haven't been able to do recently in any age group.

Not that Coleman is coming to the Reds but if he were I would find it very hard to swallow if he were not the 3rd option at 12. but as Brumbies Guy said he is predominately a 10 and I would love him as a backup inside back.

Interestingly it was also an A.Finger drop goal which secured the world cup win.

I think our last age grade win over NZ was in 08 with the Aust Schoolboys, then losing by 4points in 09

 

[en_force_er]

Surely Tapuai could play 13? He sounds like he would be good at it by his skill-set and you really could use a back-up to Chambers there. Also, covering multiple positions could only be advantageous to Taps making the bench and thus being developed at a quicker rate.

Good to see a guy with strong Victorian links stepping up to a higher level.

 

[Slim 293]

Hopefully Robbie Coleman will get a full contract with the Brumbies... would hate to see another ACT player leave our catchment...

Sure, he wouldn't have many opportunities next year but with Giteau likely to leave post-RWC there would be an inside centre position open to him with To'omua at flyhalf...

 

[Slim 293]

Robbie is a star I would love to have him at the Reds, but with A. Finger and Taps his road to 12 is pretty blocked. I thought the Force were pretty close to securing Robbie?

The Force have recently signed Fairbanks...

 

[Lee Grant]

Link reckons he wants a more experienced edge to the Reds Academy.

I think he's right, though the trick will be to have some harder heads ready to play in the S15 from the pro academy if there is a critical injury or two, yet keeping the best of the younger guns emerging from Qld schools in recent years from heading south and west.

It's going to be a fine balancing act, but you need those more seasoned players especially at 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10. A good hard head 2nd rower would be good in the case of Qld also.

If Link looks outside of Qld, there's not too many better Sydney club flyhalves around than Josh Gamgee of Southern Districts who used to be in Oz 7s. He's no spring chicken, and it would be only for next year, but I'd rather have him on the bench if Cooper is injured and Lucas starting, than a young gun. Trouble is that at 30 he probably has a family and won't be giving up his job; but maybe not.

I'd also have a look at his Southern Districts team mate 9. Nathan Sievert, who is about 23 y.o. and a goal kicker to boot. He's been in both the Sydney Uni and Tahs stable and got a few minutes on the park for the Tahs 3 years ago. He was good enough at school, playing for Oz Schools, and afterwards, but has stepped up this year as a more seasoned player.

If the Reds don't get him for their pro academy the Rebels certainly should.

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[Eyes and Ears]

If Link looks outside of Qld, there's not too many better Sydney club flyhalves around than Josh Gamgee of Southern Districts who used to be in Oz 7s. He's no spring chicken, and it would be only for next year, but I'd rather have him on the bench if Cooper is injured and Lucas starting, than a young gun. Trouble is that at 30 he probably has a family and won't be giving up his job; but maybe not.
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I understand that Gamgee was dropped by Manly last year for a very young Ben Seymour as Manly lost their way at the end of last season - I think they lost their last 5 or 6 games. Ignoring his age, I would be interested too see if you have the same opinion of him in the 2nd half of the year when the competition standard improves. My gut feeling is that he then has less time, his passing game disappears and the defence is too good for him to make as many breaks. My prediction is that Souths will lose 4 or 5 of their last 9 games but still make the semis based on their great start and unfortuantely I believe Gamgee will be one of their weaknesses.

 

[Lee Grant]

Gamgee was passed by for Seymour last year at Manly but that is no disgrace as I rate the young Kiwi and so do the Tahs. He has a big future at club level.

From what I have seen this year Gamgee has played well and the 9.Sievert/10.Gamgee nexus has looked an important part of the success of the Southern Districts team. Accordingly I have no reason to suppose that Gamgee will be a weakness in the run home though, as usual, I could be wrong.

I was just thinking that if the Reds looked to the Sydney comp for an experienced short term backup to Cooper, as they did with Walsh last year, who would it be this year? There are a few younger hopeful project players available but who would be suitable to sit on the bench as 3rd string if Cooper was, of a sudden, sitting in the stands?

Who would you pick from the Sydney comp to be in the Reds stable, just in case? Harvey?

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[RugbyReg]

you would think that there may be a few that comes from Southern Districts (Souths). The Reds (or Link) has a, ummm, link with them.

 

[tranquility]

There is no doubt in my mind that Matt Brandon is the best unsigned 5/8 in Australia at the moment. He is only 24 as well.

 

[rugby_man]

Gamgee was passed by for Seymour last year at Manly but that is no disgrace as I rate the young Kiwi and so do the Tahs. He has a big future at club level.

From what I have seen this year Gamgee has played well and the 9.Sievert/10.Gamgee nexus has looked an important part of the success of the Southern Districts team. Accordingly I have no reason to suppose that Gamgee will be a weakness in the run home though, as usual, I could be wrong.

I was just thinking that if the Reds looked to the Sydney comp for an experienced short term backup to Cooper, as they did with Walsh last year, who would it be this year? There are a few younger hopeful project players available but who would be suitable to sit on the bench as 3rd string if Cooper was, of a sudden, sitting in the stands?

Who would you pick from the Sydney comp to be in the Reds stable, just in case? Harvey?

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I've liked the look Jai Ayoub from West Harbour. He looks to be very elusive and even though quite small in stature, he uses his size very well IMO. I'd like to see him in one of the academies as I think it could do his game wonders. Also Ben Ward from Easts looks a handy player but is currently playing 12 due to Matt To'omua coming back from Argentina. Lee, do you know how old he is?

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Who would you pick from the Sydney comp to be in the Reds stable, just in case? Harvey?

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I like Bernard Foley from 2009 Uni Colts and 2010 Aust Sevens. However I would like to see him play some first grade before signing him up. Definitely not Harvey - I would take Gamegee before Harvey. I don't mind Jai Ayoub but he is far too small for S15.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

I hope Chambers is having a little word with his former team mate Inglis now that his options of staying in league are becoming less.. and with the RWC around the corner it would be enticing a la SBW.

A backline of Genia, Cooper, Ioane, Fainga'a, Inglis, Chambers, Hynes would be very handy

 

[Lee Grant]

I was throwing an idea out that the Reds may look at another experienced flyhalf to be third sting after Cooper and Lucas if they decided to use a specialist instead of somebody like A. Finger or Hynes. They had Tim Walsh standing by last year so who would be the same kind of standby in 2011?

It's no use talking about promising young blokes like Foley or Ayoub for this role as they have those types of players up there.

Also Ben Ward from Easts looks a handy player but is currently playing 12 due to Matt To'omua coming back from Argentina. Lee, do you know how old he is?

- Ben Ward. Now you're talking. I forgot him. He's a good player and like Walsh he was originally from Qld; so that would give him a big tick. He is 26 and like Gamgee has played Oz 7s.

Good picking rugby man. I'm changing my vote.

.

 

[TOCC]

The Australian had a article tossing about the idea of Inglis joining the Reds, purely speculation, but I would love to see Ingois in union, I see him as a tana umaga type player

 

[Lindommer]

The Australian had an article tossing about the idea of Inglis joining the Reds, purely speculation, but I would love to see Inglis in union, I see him as a Tana Umaga type player

Greg hails from Kempsey, why wouldn't he want to play for the Tahs? C'mon, Bowen and Hickey, get cracking.

 

[Scotty]

He didn't want to play for the NSW Origin side, even though he should have!

 

[Ruggo]

Nothing against Inglis but I don't see how we could use him amongst our roster. To get him in the system I would suggest the Force have a crack at getting him.