Reds 2011

[TOCC]

I severely doubt it. I think it's more they wanted to bring games to Regional QLD, and the Brumbies want to bring the game to Darwin.

in that case how is Cairns a better spot then the Gold Coast who i know were interested in hosting a Reds trial match

 

[barbarian]

Horwill confirmed as captain. Foxsports says:

Queensland Reds have confirmed James Horwill will return as captain for the 2011 Super rugby season.

The man who took over the reins from an injured Horwill in 2010 - Will Genia - has been named as vice captain for the season.

"I want to thank Will for stepping up when James was injured last year," said Reds coach Ewen McKenzie.

"Will did a great job and he stamped himself as a future leader."

Horwill was injured in the second game of 2010 but the Reds still finished fifth last season under Genia's captaincy.

"Given what happened to me last season I have really been putting my efforts into recovering and getting ready for the 2011 season," Horwill said.

"I want the Reds to improve on what we did in 2010 and that has been driving me."

 

[matty_k]

From QC (Quade Cooper) on Twitter

Van just had a car crash driving over to the field from the gym! Glad no ones hurt but not how you want to start training...

 

[chief]

in that case how is Cairns a better spot then the Gold Coast who i know were interested in hosting a Reds trial match

They want to deliver Rugby to Cairns. Gold Coast has had its chance, and well to put it nicely it failed.

 

[barbarian]

He clipped a pole and rolled the c*nt

 

[Jets]

From the Reds

Horwill and Genia to Lead the Reds in 2011

By Media Unit

The Queensland Reds have confirmed their leadership team for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

In a move that mirrors the leadership team at the start of the 2010 season James Horwill will be Captain of the Reds in 2011 and Will Genia Vice-Captain.

Reds Head Coach Ewen McKenzie said Horwill is a strong leader on and off the field who has been welcomed back into the role by his Reds team-mates.

McKenzie acknowledged Will Genia’s leadership of the Reds on field during Horwill’s absence due to injury. “I want to thank Will Genia for stepping up when James was injured last year. Will did a great job and he stamped himself as a future leader.”

The Reds finished 5th in 2010 thanks to a much improved performance by all players, Genia’s on-field leadership and Horwill’s off-field leadership role.

“I know that James would much rather have been leading on the field in 2010 but I was impressed with how he made the most out of the situation by helping the team in every way possible.”

Horwill said he was honoured to be chosen to again lead the team but said the issue wasn’t his primary focus. “Given what happened to me last season I have really been putting my efforts into recovering and getting ready for the 2011 season. I want the Reds to improve on what we did in 2010 and that has been driving me.”

Genia said he enjoyed his time as Captain and would step up again if needed. “I think just about every player aspires to be the Captain and I did enjoy leading the boys on the field. I’m very happy to be part of the Reds as Vice-Captain and can’t wait to get out there and play.”

The Reds take to the field on January 29 in a trial game against the Crusaders in Cairns before the official start to the season on the 20th of February when the Reds take on the Force.

The Reds are in the advanced stage of planning to assist the Rugby clubs and their members who suffered terrible losses in the Queensland floods. Queensland rugby will team with corporate partners to help those who have lost club-houses, playing equipment and other resources.

 

[Set piece magic]

He clipped a pole and rolled the c*nt

classic.

People are talking about the upcoming trial match in cairns, and there was a bit of debate as to why, that the match was in cairns to help fitness, or that the match was in cairns to spread rugby there. TOCC said if they are trying to spread rugby why not the gold coast, they where interested in hosting a game. Anyway here's my two cents:

Perhaps they chose cairns because it offered both. Being north and getting acclaimatised to the heat, improving fitness, while spreading rugby up there?

I know it sounds a bit obvious, it's just it hasn't been said yet.

 

[liquor box]

I thought the Reds were travelling to Cairns this year because they were trying to focus on being a QLD team rather than a Brisbane team?

 

[TOCC]

Yea the Reds also played in Toowoomba last year, Spikhaza, I reckon you are on the money, If the QRU purely wanted tom spread rugby to regional centers they could have taken the cheaper option and just driven to either the sunshine or gold coast.

Taking the rugby to Cairns allows them to spread it to a regional centre up there and acclimatise in QLD's most tropical city, since the season is starting earlier this year and they will experience more humidity and heat then usual I think it's a smart decision

 

[TOCC]

The article is a few weeks old

Anae earns Reds contract

ALBERT Anae’s personal philosophy is “learn to follow before you lead”.

It has served the former Ipswich Grammar student well so far, with Anae earning himself a full Queensland Reds contract this year after two seasons in the Queensland Academy team.

A switch from prop to hooker has given the 21-year-old the impetus to make the jump into the big time.

Now he just has to put all he has learned into practice on the field.

Anae spoke to the Queensland Times following the Reds first training session of the New Year on Tuesday.

“The strength is there, I just need to get the fitness up,” he said.

“I’ve got about four more weeks to work on that.”

That is before the Reds begin trial matches ahead of the 2011 Super 15 season, which starts against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium on February 20.

“I’m definitely excited,” the 2008 Queensland Colt of the year said.

“There are a lot of opportunities there.

“Saia (Fainga'a) is back from the Wallabies and James Hanson (Queensland Reds Academy captain and 2010 hooker) are there as well.

“I’m the third hooker at the moment but, hopefully, I’ll get an opportunity there.”

He is happy to follow for now, as he was when Reds coach Ewen McKenzie suggested he try the switch to hooker.

As a former prop he has the scrummaging sussed and is working hard to perfect his lineout throwing.

“Getting the throws right is the main issue,” he admitted.

“I’ve been getting (second rower) Van Humphries to do extra throws now and then.

“Ewen has helped a lot.”

The Reds coach was impressed by Anae’s enthusiasm, scrummaging, mobility and size.

“We thought he had the potential to play prop and hooker,” McKenzie said.

“He’s got good application around the paddock.

“He can throw the ball and he’s a good scrummager.

“There is not a lot of big hookers around in Australia scrummaging at the moment.

“It can help.

“Scrummaging is about technique, but size is important if you’ve got momentum going.”

McKenzie is not expecting an overnight sensation, however.

“There is a fair bit to learn,” he said.

“He’s got good aptitude and a great attitude.”

All Anae could ask for now is the chance to put it into practice in the Super 15.

“First and foremost is to get out on the field,” he said.

“Hopefully I get picked in the trials and I can show the coaches why I’m here.

“I don’t want to play just one or two games.

“I really want to give it a real crack.”

McKenzie was giving little away when asked where Anae stood in the hooking ranks.

“They are different styles of players,” McKenzie said of Anae, Fainga'a and Hanson.

“Developing (Anae’s) experience allows us to make decisions to suit the team.”

http://www.qt.com.au/story/2011/01/08/albert-anae-queensland-reds-contract-hooker/

 

[Scotty]

I saw Rob Simmons at the local grocery store on monday night. He is looking massive and in tremendous shape. As broad and probably more muscular than Horwill with the height of Vickerman.

Here's hoping it takes an even bigger step up this year.

 

[liquor box]

I saw Rob Simmons at the local grocery store on monday night. He is looking massive and in tremendous shape. As broad and probably more muscular than Horwill with the height of Vickerman.

Here's hoping it takes an even bigger step up this year.

It is so exciting as a Reds (and Wallabies) fan to think that in less than a decade we will be looking at a team of 30 year old players (still in their prime) with 120-150 super Rugby games behind them. Even a small improvement every year will lead to potential greatness.

 

[TOCC]

getting ready for team photo
By the looks of the jersey, they have removed the white 'streaks' going up the side of the torso

It is so exciting as a Reds (and Wallabies) fan to think that in less than a decade we will be looking at a team of 30 year old players (still in their prime) with 120-150 super Rugby games behind them. Even a small improvement every year will lead to potential greatness.

Well before we go jumping up and down crying greatness i think its interesting to note the solid core group of players which now have 50caps or are approaching on 50caps in 2011.. Ioane, Genia, Cooper, S.Fainga'a and Houston from the younger brigade, and then you have the older stalwarts Horwill, Shepherdson, Holmes, AWH and Samo in the same boat.

Notably Hynes will receive his 100th cap(barring injuries, touch wood) in 2011.

 

[DPK]

getting ready for team photo
By the looks of the jersey, they have removed the white 'streaks' going up the side of the torso

New socks, too, by the looks of it.

 

[en_force_er]

Before you group him with the oldies (and he does seem old), Horwill is the same age Ioane and not even a year older then Houston.

By the Brad Thorn scale he has another 10 years and a couple of code transfers in him.

 

[Ruggo]

Yea the Reds also played in Toowoomba last year, Spikhaza, I reckon you are on the money, If the QRU purely wanted tom spread rugby to regional centers they could have taken the cheaper option and just driven to either the sunshine or gold coast.

Taking the rugby to Cairns allows them to spread it to a regional centre up there and acclimatise in QLD's most tropical city, since the season is starting earlier this year and they will experience more humidity and heat then usual I think it's a smart decision

That sounds right and backing up with a game in Darwin also supports that theory.

 

[Jets]

I guess that photo confirms St George at Major sponsor for this year.

 

[TOCC]

New socks, too, by the looks of it.

Ah yes you are correct, looks like they removed the white from the jerseys and added it to the socks... the front of the socks are still all red though

 

[Reddy!]

When I'm feeling down during the day, or even on other threads, I come in here and instantly feel awesome.

Good to see the excitement is still going strong for the new season.

On Rob Simmons - he had an excellant season in 2010, making his Wallaby debut, however, he still went out of the radar and I doubt he was ever targetted as a player to stop. This year I hope to see him become a real vital part of the Reds and Wallabies and be recognised as an international rugby talent.

 

[Ruggo]

Will be interesting to see where Simmons fits in. Him and Horwill starting and Van on the bench is a solid combination.