Reds 2011

[TOCC]

Gasnier, Pocock, Blake, Elsom, Cooper and Hynes all signing on the same day!!

 

[Lee Grant]

AAP is reporting:

The loss of Humphries and captain James Horwill (knee) has seen the Reds sign former Wallabies and Brumbies lock Radike Samo, 33, on a short-term deal.

Samo, who this year returned from Japan to play for Southern Districts in the Sydney premiership, trained at Ballymore today but is unlikely to be called into action against the Stormers.

‘‘Having more depth at lock will help immensely with some of the big games ahead and adding his experience to the squad will also be invaluable,’’ McKenzie said.

 

[Lindommer]

Wayne Smith in The Australian

Peter Hynes ready to sacrifice cup spot

IT is looking increasingly likely that Reds fullback and Wallabies winger Peter Hynes will join a French or Japanese club next year, which would rule him out of the 2011 World Cup.

Hynes's father and business manager, Bob, said yesterday his son had attracted nine offers from foreign clubs, one of which is so keen to recruit him it even is prepared to set up his wife, Bree, as manager of a hairdressing salon as part of the deal. The Australian Rugby Union has offered Hynes, 27, only a modest contract, despite the fact the ever-reliable back three player has been one of the most consistent Wallabies of the Robbie Deans era and started in every Test of last year's spring tour.
"The ARU don't seem overly interested in contracting him," Bob Hynes said. "They've come up with a small top-up (in addition to his Super rugby contract) to stay home but Peter has been offered twice that contract overseas."

Bob Hynes made a counter-offer to the ARU a month ago but has had no response. However, an ARU spokesman said the union would hold talks with Hynes and his management in the near future, possibly as early as today. But while things might have stalled on the domestic front in recent weeks, the pace of negotiations with foreign clubs is picking up, to the point that Hynes Super Rugby is now seriously looking at the tax structures that make France and Japan such attractive destinations for rugby players.

"Peter would love to stay here and would love to keep playing for the Reds but he has got to look at securing his financial future. He has got a lot out of rugby over many years and it may just be that he doesn't ever get to play in a World Cup," Bob Hynes said. "He has no gripe with the ARU. He knows they have a business to run, but if they don't need him we'll very easily find an overseas club that does."

From the moment the Rebels were granted the Super 15 expansion licence in Melbourne, Hynes was one of their prime targets and he still remains at the top of their hit list. But, according to Bob Hynes, it is pointless to even begin negotiating with Australian franchises - the Western Force also has expressed an interest in him - while the situation with the ARU remains unresolved. "If he's not going to be here, it's irrelevant," Bob Hynes said.

Peter Hynes, who shone against the Bulls, made the switch to fullback this year at the request of Reds coach Ewen McKenzie and has taken to the position so strongly that he probably is the leading contender for the 15 jersey in the Wallabies' June Tests against Fiji, Ireland and England, especially if Deans decides to employ Adam Ashley-Cooper at outside centre.

 

[Spook]

Very sad to see him go.

 

[Lee Grant]

Yeah it's bad news for the Reds and Oz rugby. Even though there are a lot of young Qld wingers and fullbacks on the books and more coming through, it will take them years to learn their trade. Even after that it will take a while to find out who are the best ones.

The sooner European salary caps and quotas for foreign players kicks in, the better.

 

[Newb]

.... so keen to recruit him it even is prepared to set up his wife, Bree, as manager of a hairdressing salon as part of the deal......

what the ....

 

[Nusadan]

.... so keen to recruit him it even is prepared to set up his wife, Bree, as manager of a hairdressing salon as part of the deal......

what the ....

Smart business strategy...keeping the missus busy and happy whilst hubby away etc, and also have ready made clientele...the club in question itself!!! :thumb

 

[RugbyReg]

Reds have just announced (officially) the signing of Gill, Quirk, Shipperley and Sitauti.

Hmm, have to work out how these all fit in.

 

[Sully]

Not saying it's not good to sign these guys but, They're not the names I was hoping for.

Edit : Spelling as usual.

 

[RugbyReg]

So, current players we have signed for next year and beyond:

Van Humphries, Ben Daley, Scott Higginbotham, Will Chambers, Will Genia, Leroy Houston, Digby Ioane, James Horwill, Lei Tomeki, Greg Holmes, Luke Morahan, Rob Simmons, Saia Fainga'a, Anthony Fainga'a, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, Kimani Sitauti, Dom Shipperley (18).

Players definately leaving:

Laurie Weeks, Adam Byrnes, Daniel Braid (replaced by Gill), Richard Kingi (4).

Uncontracted players we would want to keep:

Quade Cooper, Peter Hynes, Rodney Davies (rumoured to have re-signed), Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas (5).

Fringe players we might want to keep:

Jack Kennedy, Ezra Taylor, James Hanson, Blair Connor (4)

Fringe players most likely to be cut:

Tasi Luafutu, Brando Vaaulu, Danya Edwards, Morgan Turinui, Tim Walsh (5).  

Players likely to be gone:

Sean Hardman (1).


So, thinking positively, if we can keep each of Cooper, Hynes, Davies, Schatz and Ben Lucas then that's 22 for next year.  

I wouldn't mind keeping Kennedy, Taylor, Hanson and Connor giving us 26.

Am I right in saying everyone is only contracting 28 or so next year? Probably have to look at the breakdown of the squad:

Fullback - Peter Hynes
Wings - Luke Morahan, Digby Ioane, Kimani Sitauti, Dom Shipperley, Rodney Davies
Outside centres - Will Chambers, Blair Connor,
Inside centres - Anthony Fainga'a,
Flyhalf - Quade Cooper
Scrumhalf - Will Genia, Ben Lucas
No 8 - Leroy Houston, Jake Schatz
Openside - Lei Tomeki, Liam Gill,
Blindside - Ed Quirk, Scott Higginbotham
Locks - Van Humphries, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Ezra Taylor
Props - Ben Daley, Greg Holmes, Jack Kennedy,
Hooker - Saia Fainga'a, James Hanson

Plenty of wingers. Are they covering for Hynes's departure already? Diggers can cover 13 obviously. Possibly Davies and Morahan for fullback.

We probably need more inside back depth (flyhalf and inside centre - a kinda replacement for Tim Walsh) and hooker I would've thought. Possibly another prop? You'd expect James Slipper to come in soon, possible Albert Anae as well?

 

[RugbyReg]

Not saying it's not good to sign these guys but, They're not the names I was hoping for.

Edit : Spelling as usual.

agree I would've preferred Cooper and Hynes, but glad its not Gasnier.

 

[TOCC]

i wonder about Ben Tapuia, he can play inside centre and goes alright at 5/8..

He would at least be a good stop gap measure for the Reds if Cooper gets injured

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah, absolutely. Forgot him. Bloody should've looked at the Academy list because I haven't listed Jake Schatz either!!

he must be on afull contract now he's played so many games, just don't know for how long.

 

[RugbyReg]

and I think I recall seeing Luke's brother Simon Morahan was signed for multiple years, starting in the academy this year??

 

[RugbyReg]

The QR Reds today announced that four Australian Sevens stars from the QAS Reds Academy have been signed for the Reds senior squad in 2011.

Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, Dominic Shipperley and Kimami Sitauti have been developed through the talent development pathway to the point where they are now ready to step up to the Reds.

Head Coach Ewen McKenzie said all four teenagers had been identified as players the Reds wanted to keep long before they came to prominence on the international stage with eye-catching performances on the iRB World Sevens circuit.

"(Academy Head Coach) Paul Carozza and his team – supported by the Premier clubs – are doing a great job in identifying, nurturing and developing guys through the Academy to the point where they can take the next step with confidence," McKenzie said.

"Queensland is producing some terrific rugby talent and we're working hard at retaining the best to ensure that the medium and long term future of the Reds is secure.

“When you’re in a state that develops rugby talent, you have to make early decisions and be decisive. The guys we are announcing today have all done great things in their rugby careers already and we see very bright futures.”

The youngest of the four, flanker Gill was tour captain of the Australian Schoolboys last year and has already been blooded at senior level, scoring a try off the bench for a Queensland 2nd XV in a pre-season trial match against an Australian Barbarians side.

Fellow backrower Quirk also had a decorated Australian Schools career before stepping up to the senior ranks in 2009 in international Sevens and Queensland Premier Rugby, winning Colt of the Year.

Outside back Dominic Shipperley joined the international Sevens circuit in 2009 and also played for a Queensland XV against Japan last year, showing dazzling speed and footwork to score the winning try late in the match.

Kimami Sitauti is another fast and elusive winger, who played for Souths in the 2009 Premier Grand Final against Brothers before heading overseas with the Australian Schoolboys tour to the UK. New to the international Sevens circuit this year he has proved a sensation with his speed and power.

Gill said it was an easy decision to sign having grown up in Queensland.

“It makes it even more rewarding knowing that they’re happy to have us here as much as we want to stay,” Gill said.

Quirk said he couldn’t wait to receive an opportunity next season with the Reds enjoy plenty of success on the field.

“There’s a lot of hype with the Reds doing so well this year and that fuels the younger guys to come through and be part of that,” Quirk said.

“It makes us work harder. You really want to work hard to earn a spot.”

Player Profiles

Liam Gill
Liam was named tour captain for the Australian School Boys tour of the UK in 2009. A mobile flanker who causes plenty of trouble at the breakdown for the opposition, the talented teen is a member of the Australian Sevens squad for 2010. Born in Melbourne, Liam lived in the United States for several years before relocating to Brisbane.

Position Flanker
Date Of Birth 8/6/1992
Place of Birth Melbourne
Weight 86kg
Height 1.84m
Junior Club Sunnybank Juniors
School Gregory Terrace

Ed Quirk
Ed represented Queensland and Australia as a Schoolboy and won the Bronze Boot Award for being the best player on the field during a New Zealand v Australia Schoolboys match in 2008. His representative honours include QLD Under 16s (2007); Queensland Schoolboys (2008); Australia A (2008); Australian Schoolboys (2008); QAS Reds Academy (2009-10, Australian Sevens (2009-2010). Ed’s performances with Easts in Premier Rugby in 2009 earned him the award of Colt of the Year.

Position No. 6 - Blindside Flanker
Date Of Birth 28/08/1991
Place of Birth Brisbane
Weight 95kgs
Height 190cm
Club Easts
Junior Club Redlands
School Brisbane State High School

Dominic Shipperley
An accomplished athlete, Dominic made his Australian Sevens debut in early 2009, relying on sheer pace to blitz his opposition and quickly becoming a prolific try scorer on the Sevens circuit. He toured the UK with the Australian Sevens, playing in London and Edinburgh in early 2009, before returning home to resume his studies in engineering and commerce at the University of Queensland. His representative honours also include: Australian Schools (2008); QLD A (2009); U19 City-Country (2009). He scored a dazzling late try for a Queensland XV to secure a 24-17 victory over Japan in a midweek match in 2009, evading two defenders with some fancy footwork and blistering speed along the left touch line to seal the match.

Position Outside Backs - Wing/Outside Centre/Fullback
Date Of Birth 4/1/1991
Place of Birth Redcliffe, Qld
Weight 86kg
Height 1.85m
Club Brothers
School St Josephs Nudgee College

Kimami Sitauti
A fast and elusive winger, Australian-born Kimami pulled on the gold jersey for the first time in 2009 after representing New Zealand in the U17s and Auckland U16s. He was selected in the GPS 1st XV and Queensland Schools in 2009 and was awarded the man of the match in his Australian Schools debut against Tonga. The Nudgee college product played on the wing for Souths in the 2009 Premier Grand Final before heading overseas with the Australian Schools tour of the UK. Snapped up on his return for the Australian Sevens squad, Sitauti scored his first IRB Sevens try when he touched down in Australia’s opening victory over the unpredictable Papua New Guinean side in Wellington in 2010.

Position Wing
Date Of Birth 12/04/1991
Place of Birth Sydney
Weight 90kg
Height 1.83m
Club Souths
Junior Club Ponsonby (NZ)
School Nudgee College

 

[scrubber]

Kennedy will do good things for the Reds next year when Weeks is gone.

I hope he gets more games this year.

Don't think Kennedy signed (if wanted) - Reds took him to Elephant Land and he got zero time - thought that a bit unusual even though other props went pretty well. probably got some good photos though.

 

[scrubber]

Reds have just announced (officially) the signing of Gill, Quirk, Shipperley and Sitauti.

Hmm, have to work out how these all fit in.

Noddy - you seem to be an influential member of Reds rugby society and in the know - has Quade signed already (for the Reds - maybe a couple of weeks ago) and just not announced as of yet for some reason or other

 

[RugbyReg]

the word in the media box the other night was that he's gone.

But what I can't get my head around (besides the whole why would you leave QLD thing) is:

- if he's headed to France or overseas, he's giving up a World Cup chance which, for someone young, is damn odd. And what are the implications of travel for someone with a record?
- if he's headed west, then the ARU were not meant to be signing him until after his court case, then the Force shouldn't be able to sign him until then either.

So in the end, I don't think we will hear anything either way until after the court case. By which time we could have well missed out on signing a suitable replacement (if there is, indeed, such a thing).

 

[en_force_er]

Kennedy will do good things for the Reds next year when Weeks is gone.

I hope he gets more games this year.

Don't think Kennedy signed (if wanted) - Reds took him to Elephant Land and he got zero time - thought that a bit unusual even though other props went pretty well. probably got some good photos though.

He got time against the Bulls, which was probably bigger than any of the games in SA anyway.

 

[David]

Kennedy will do good things for the Reds next year when Weeks is gone.

I hope he gets more games this year.

Don't think Kennedy signed (if wanted) - Reds took him to Elephant Land and he got zero time - thought that a bit unusual even though other props went pretty well. probably got some good photos though.

The fact that Link put him on in the situation the Reds were in last Saturday shows a great vote of confidence by Link.

He got time against the Bulls, which was probably bigger than any of the games in SA anyway.