Reds 2011

[dbla]

How good is it to see 'fringe reds' players Saia Fainga'a and Rob Simmons running around there, now playing test match footy about 8 months later. And Higgers too in the Wallaby squad.

I think with the way the game is heading (the speed as well as the desire to keep the ball in play) sevens will become a much greater platform for higher honours and it is good to see the reds giving up and coming players a sevens background before regular game time at senior level. There is no where to hide in sevens and after watching the players in this video go on to make their mark at s14 and now test level you can see it did their skills and their confidence in their ability a world of good. Obviously they should continue with this sevens program for fringe players.

 

[HodgoBerro]

Loved that video it was awesome to see that players like Saia, Higginbotham & Simmons have come a long way since then

 

[liquor box]

Just watched the end of the Australian schoolboys final, the 10 for QLD2 has a sweet pass (almost QC (Quade Cooper) like), very long and very accurate from what I saw. Hope some of these boys are contracted, with a new Australian team we need to secure them young

 

[TOCC]

should find out who the new principle sponsor for the Reds is in the next month or so, at least they are renegotiating in the right time, i imagine the brand value would have jumped significantly since 12months ago.

I believe the QRU poached the Brisbane Lions sponsorship manager to help them secure a better deal.

 

[Lee Grant]

liquor box go to the Oz Schools 2010 thread in Grassroots to read about the Qld flyhalf.

 

[biggsy]

Get rid of Byrnes. No one likes him on the team anyway, same happen with Tarhs. Reliability more than a impact player.

 

[RugbyReg]

Get rid of Byrnes. No one likes him on the team anyway, same happen with Tarhs. Reliability more than a impact player.

you're a little behind the times. He has already left. One of the first players to sign with the Melbourne Rebels.

 

[TOCC]

talking about the wallabies is depressing me so im going to get my rugby fix another way..

Much was made of the Reds forward pack and the lack of any wallabies within that forward pack, big turnaround this year in that regard, so much so they now have 4 wallaby props and, 2 wallaby locks and a wallaby hooker.

1. Ben Daley
2. Saia Fainga'a
3. James Slipper
4. James Horwill
5. Rob Simmons
6. Scott Higginbotham
7. Lei Tomiki
8. Leroy Houston
9. Will Genia10. Quade Cooper
11. Rod Davies
12. Anthony Fainga'a
13. Will Chambers
14. Digby Ioane
15. Peter Hynes

16. James Hanson
17. Greg Holmes
18. Van Humphries
19. Ed Quirk/Jake Shatz/Liam Gill
20. Ben Lucas
21. Ben Tapuai
22. Luke Morahan

Not included
Albert Anae, Liam Gill, Jake Shatz, Ed Quirk, Radike Samo, Guy Shepherdson, Dom Shipperly, Kimami Sitauti, Adam Wallace-Harrison


Im not one who is still entirely convinced by Scott Higginbotham, physically he has a lot of potential, just dont think mentally he completely understands his role within the game. In 2011 i think the whole backrow is up for grabs, Leroy performed well in 2010 but hasnt exactly cemented his position and higginbotham is still goes missing in the tight games a bit. I wouldnt at all be surprised to see the likes of a Shatz, Quirk, Gill starting backrow at some point throughout the year.

Anyway, the bench displays a deeper pool of depth then the Reds have had in many years, but hooker and halfback do lack much depth behind Genia and Fainga'a. Apart from that i think the Reds are pretty well covered with at least 1 capable replacement behind every other postion on the field.

 

[Gnostic]

Reds people would have to be happy with Shepheardson. Have a look at him for the Beasties in the Shute SHield. He has lost the gut and is looking fitter and more effective than he has for at least 4 years.

He will be a big asset at the Reds now that he appears to be getting in condition. I have to question what the Brumbies strength and condition coach is doing if a player looks better 3 months after the end of the S14 than he did approaching the finals.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

I was a bit concerned about Laurie Weeks heading to Melbourne, but Slipper is holding his head up well on the bench lately. We will have a bloody good front row for 2011, no doubt about that. Interesting comment there Gnostic - seems the Beasties conditioning guy, who probably has another job through the week, is getting better results than the full time staff for the Brumbies. Hot competition for front row places by the sound of it!

 

[Lee Grant]

WTF?? Probably an answer to a pointed question but just in case: better give Genia career Reds captaincy.

*************

Will Genia eyeing NZ opportunities
DARREN WALTON
August 8, 2010 - 4:14PM


AAP

As if conceding the Bledisloe Cup to the All Blacks for an eighth consecutive year isn't bad enough, now Australia could lose star halfback Will Genia to New Zealand.

Not in the short term and not to the All Blacks - but reportedly to a Super 15 franchise some time down the track.

Genia, who in the space of 12 meteoric months, has risen from Queensland bench-warmer to one of world rugby's most influential performers, has admitted he would give "serious thought" to joining a New Zealand franchise.

"I have never had an offer, so until I receive one we'll never know if it will happen," he told New Zealand's Sunday Star Times.

"But I would be flattered if any of the teams here wanted me and would have to give it some serious thought.

"It would certainly be a great experience, one that could only benefit my game.

"As a rugby player, you want to experience as many challenges you can. If you broaden your rugby knowledge, it makes you a better player and I have always been a fan of the way New Zealanders play their rugby."

Genia is contracted to Queensland and the ARU until after next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and could expect a massive pay rise when he negotiates a new deal.

The 22-year-old signed his current one before he broke into the Test arena.

Even the slightest hint that he may be considering a move across the Tasman would send shudders through the Queensland and Australian Rugby Unions.

Genia, though, has no plans to walk away from his beloved Reds in the foreseeable future, especially after he assumed the captaincy this season following a serious injury to James Horwill.

"It would be hard for me to move away from the Reds," he said.

"I like it there and have unfinished business.

"But you never know."

.

 

[louie]

he would be the biggest sack of shit in the world if he did that.

 

[RugbyReg]

so what he's saying is that he hasn't had an offer, is contracted to the Reds and the ARU until next year, he likes the Reds and would find it tough to leave, but if someone offered him a contract he would consider it?

What a dick head.

:-\

 

[DPK]

so what he's saying is that he hasn't had an offer, is contracted to the Reds and the ARU until next year, he likes the Reds and would find it tough to leave, but if someone offered him a contract he would consider it?

What a dick head.

:-\

Or he's just being polite, suring up future offers. Questions did appear to come from a NZ paper.

 

[tranquility]

really average from where I stand.

 

[RugbyReg]

can I just add, I'm being sarcastic? I don't think he'll leave. He's just doing as DPK suggested. I have no problems with it.

 

[louie]

ARU should bust down on him for this. Deans should drop him.

 

[fatprop]

Will doesn't even speak like that.

 

[Scotty]

The article you have when you don't actually have anything to say. What a waste of space and effort.

 

[Ruggo]

Sounds like a storm in a tea cup to me.