Reds 2011

[RugbyReg]

it would seem we have our Quade back up. Anyone seen him play? Thoughts?

The Queensland Reds have announced their final signing for 2011 by adding another promising player to their impressive squad for next year’s Super Rugby season.

Talented utility back Michael Harris will join the Reds in November on a two year deal when he finishes his commitments to North Harbour in the National Provincial Rugby competition.

Harris has been playing at 10 and 12 for North Harbour where his skills were spotted by Reds Coach Ewen McKenzie. “I am very pleased that Michael has accepted the offer to join the Reds. I think he will be able to play a range or positions for us and he also brings an outstanding goal kicking ability that has seen him in the 80-90% range in the last two seasons,” said Mr McKenzie.

“Harris played NZu20’s at the same stage as Quade. He has four seasons of Provincial rugby at Nth Harbour so he will bring youth and experience from a different playing environment. He is tall and quick and we are very confident that there is plenty of improvement in him.”

Harris is Wallaby eligible by way of an Australian-born Grandmother. He also has a brother, Aunt and several cousins living in Queensland. He said the signing was an exciting step up for his rugby career and an opportunity to improve his performance.

“I followed the Reds with close interest this year in Super 14 and I was impressed with their style of game. Queensland has been good enough to give me a spot for the next two seasons and I intend to add value to the team and do the very best that I can for them.”

Harris said he was looking forward to working under the guidance of Reds Coach Ewen McKenzie and staff, and joining an emerging group of talented players.

“There are a lot of exciting young players in the Reds and I know I will enjoy my time with the team. Will Genia and Quade Cooper are two players that I think I can learn a lot from.”

The signing of Harris completes the player appointments for the 2011 Reds Super Rugby season.

Michael Harris
Height 186 cm
Weight 96kg
Born September 8/07/1988, North Harbour, NZ
Representative honours: NZ – U 20’s

 

[Lance Free]

Grannygate? Better check his family tree first....

 

[fatprop]

So with the Reds, Weekes and Braind are gone, I guess Slipper will be the starting THP, who will be the starting 7, another baby?.

 

[Red Rooster]

Pocock debuted for the Force at 18, Liam Gill is contracted and he scored another two tries for the Commonwealth Games team yesterday and he is 18, then there is Tomiki, Schatz (who played a couple of games last season at 7), Ed Quirk who played there in the last game v Highlanders and there are some others rumoured to be in the academy. Young yes but what do you want to do - ignore them and see them drift off to the Force/Rebels like has happened in the last 6-7 years or embrace their young talent? Deans keeps picking young guys and it hasn't cost him

 

[TOCC]

shatz filled in at 7 a few times throughout the season when Braid was injured, although i think we can all recognise that its not his long term position.. Lei Tomiki is a obvious candidate, he was hindered with injury in 2010, then there is at a stretch Liam Gill, who might get a few games off the bench, but il be surprised to see him starting.

Havent heard much about the new recruit Harris, he sounds like his a solid 5/8 at 96kg

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah, they'll rotate 7 between Schatz, Gill, Tomeki and Quirk I'd suggest with the best getting the starting gig when we're in the finals.

 

[Lee Grant]

Good signing, Harris. I sat up in my chair when the Kiwi commentators jokingly said recently that Harris was available to play for Oz and he should be signed up by a Kiwi Super team. I sat up because I was impressed by him before that in the game and had been in other games this year - but I can't remember him last year.

He had a nice game playing 10 for Harbour against Counties last weekend, very tidy. Then when Botica (Jnr) came on in the 2nd half he moved out to 12.

He will be very handy if there is an injury to the 10 or the 12. He can give a wide pass and kick the ball a way. He can kick goals all right too: IIRR the commentators said recently that he had a good goal kicking percentage. Not afraid to get stuck into a ruck either. He can run when he wants to but not much of a step and I can't remember any Quade type short passes.

Harris set up the final try for Harbour to score in the corner with a nice kick and good vision. Then he had a chance to kick the winning conversion from touch but it hit the upright.

Not to the point but THP Jonno Owen from the Brumbies stable had a fine game for Counties; looking very trim these days.

Also not to the point: why isn't Tim Nanai-Williams with the Kiwi Sevens team in Dehli? He's played for them before.

 

[TOCC]

i remember a popular quote at a certain point throughout 2010 was that the Reds didnt have one single capped wallaby in there starting forward pack, looking forward to 2011 its possible that we could have up to 10 capped Wallabies forwards in the squad(humphries and higginbotham pending)

Ben Daley
James Slipper
Greg Holmes
Guy Shepherdson

Saia Fainga'a

Rob Simmons
James Horwill
Radiki Samo
Van Humphries

Scott Higginbotham

 

[tranquility]

Link is good at this. Not only is he a proficient rugby mind, but he is also incredibly practical off the field. Bringing in Radike Samo mid season last year was a masterstroke, their were rumours he was looking at the Samoan 7s side, he brings players back from OS (AWH), takes other franchise key position discards (Shep) and also completley encoruages the development and progession of outstanding youth. The development of squad talent and depth has improved incredibly in the 12 months that Link has been up North. I dont think that it is far fetched to suggest that alot of this work can be accredited to the big man himself. Honourary Queenlsander of the year.

 

[RugbyReg]

I can't wait to see the Academy squad. I hear he's snagged a few crackers there as well.

 

[TOCC]

the signings of AWH, Harrison and Shep are absolute class in my opionion, potentially they wont be starting, but the experience of a additional 140 S14 caps just at training and in the lead up to games will be invaluable throughout the season for player development.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Link is good at this. Not only is he a proficient rugby mind, but he is also incredibly practical off the field. Bringing in Radike Samo mid season last year was a masterstroke, their were rumours he was looking at the Samoan 7s side, he brings players back from OS (AWH), takes other franchise key position discards (Shep) and also completley encoruages the development and progession of outstanding youth. The development of squad talent and depth has improved incredibly in the 12 months that Link has been up North. I dont think that it is far fetched to suggest that alot of this work can be accredited to the big man himself. Honourary Queenlsander of the year.

I still think he would trade many of the recruits to have Braid back. That is one of the big questions for the Reds 2011 - can they succeed without Braid and what would happen if Genia or Cooper were injured for a significant part of the tournament?

 

[RugbyReg]

the signings of AWH, Harrison and Shep are absolute class in my opionion, potentially they wont be starting, but the experience of a additional 140 S14 caps just at training and in the lead up to games will be invaluable throughout the season for player development.

??

 

[unsub god]

I believe Beau Robinson has signed to the Reds academy - there's another 7 big guy.

 

[TOCC]

??

ignore me, typo

 

[Red Rooster]

I believe Beau Robinson has signed to the Reds academy - there's another 7 big guy.

I heard he has also signed Ben Coridas, discarded by the Tahs, to the academy as well. That makes two former Aust u20 and Super contracted No.7's (if true about Robinson) in the program so that makes about 6 options for the 7 position.

 

[Hawko]

Deans keeps picking young guys and it hasn't cost him

It may not have cost Deans his job but it has significantly negatively impacted the Australian results.

 

[en_force_er]

I heard he has also signed Ben Coridas, discarded by the Tahs, to the academy as well. That makes two former Aust u20 and Super contracted No.7's (if true about Robinson) in the program so that makes about 6 options for the 7 position.

Yeah, I think Link knows deep down he hasn't managed to sign a 7 who is guaranteed to be great this year. Basically, it's a case of getting them in numbers, throwing them into the fray and seeing what sticks. At least one of them will perform.

Also I was hoping the Rebs academy would get Coridas as then they could at least claim they have ONE Vic born player on the books.

 

[disco]

I still think he would trade many of the recruits to have Braid back. That is one of the big questions for the Reds 2011 - can they succeed without Braid and what would happen if Genia or Cooper were injured for a significant part of the tournament?

I still think Lucas is a very fine halfback & would have no problems filling in for Genia, Lucas could also cover Quade but as mentioned earlier this Harris fella has been signed to cover 10/12 and he has NPC experience.

Anyone know if Scott Daruda is contracted ATM? I still think he had the right skill set to make a good 10/12.

 

[Red Rooster]

Also I was hoping the Rebs academy would get Coridas as then they could at least claim they have ONE Vic born player on the books.

Well the Coach is from Melbourne and I think Ioane is Melbourne born as well