Reds 2011

[Newter]

Thats BS - Macqueen appointed Robinson - there was no player vote - I asked someone that was on the staff at the time. Ironically Robinson was injure dthe first 2-3 games and Mckenzie was the first to actually captain the team on the field

Macqueen appointed Robinson after an informal canvassing of opinion. From memory I think he picked two or three names himself and went around with his staff getting the players' preference.

That is a poll, Rooster.

There are only two candidates for the job at the Reds. Maybe three if you add Ben Daley. Any of the three would be a good captain and if a poll reveals that one is significantly more admired than the others, that's good information to have.

 

[TOCC]

also its significantly different picking a captain for a newly formed professional side, Maqueen would have only had a matter of month to learn each player, the team dynamic, players strengths etc etc

At the end of the day i dont see Daley as a contender for Captain, i know Link thinks highly of him, but its unlikely he would leapfrog Horwill and Genia for the position.

 

[TOCC]

Return priority for Horwill

As much as James Horwill cherishes the Queensland captaincy, the powerful Reds lock insists his priority this season is a successful return to the rugby paddock.

Horwill will make his long awaited return from a knee reconstruction in the Reds' opening trial against the Crusaders in Cairns on January 29.

Half-back Will Genia covered himself in glory taking up the Reds captaincy after Horwill broke down in just the second match of the 2010 season.

Horwill was the first to dip his hat to Genia after the playmaker helped the Reds almost pull off an improbable finals berth last season.

And while keen to resume the captaincy, Horwill says he has higher priorities.

"Will did an outstanding job but that is something that is out of my hands - it is up to the coaching staff," Horwill said.

"I would like to be captain no doubt but you have to do what is best for the team - we will see what happens.

"Ewen (coach McKenzie) and I have had conversations about it, but it ultimately sits with the coaching staff and management.

"The most important thing is to get back on the field as seamlessly as possible."

Horwill hopes to soak up as much time as possible during the Reds' limited preseason, which only features another hit-out with the Brumbies in Darwin on February 5 before their campaign starts on February 20 against Western Force.

"I would have not have played for 11 months by the time that first game comes around so you want to get as much run in as you can," Horwill said.

No one has really staked a claim alongside Nathan Sharpe in the Wallabies' second row since Horwill's absence.

But Horwill says he is not losing sleep over his 2011 World Cup prospects.

"I want to win a Super title with the Reds and after that I will worry about the representative stuff," he said.

"At the moment I am just really excited about getting back on the field.

"It's been 11 months without hitting someone in anger. I am really looking forward to getting stuck in."

A brief experiment using Horwill at blindside flanker worked for the Reds last season, but playing in the second row would clearly enhance his World Cup prospects.

However, Horwill is keeping an open mind ahead.

"Wherever Ewen sees me fitting in best in our structure and strategy, I don't mind," he said.

"I just want the best for the Reds."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/10/3109968.htm

once a ginger nut, always a ginger nut

 

[TOCC]

Reds mean rugby business

WALLABIES winger Peter Hynes last visited Cairns for a holiday; this time it will be anything but.

The Reds fullback, who will push towards his 100th cap with the Queenslanders this season, is well aware of the gravity of the impending clash with the Canterbury Crusaders, even if it is a trial game.

The January 29 encounter at Barlow Park will be the Reds’ first opportunity to show they aren’t one-trick ponies after finishing fifth in the Super 14 last year and playing never-before-seen attacking rugby.

"Last season’s form means bugger all," Hynes said.

"We were a bit of a surprise packet last year. Teams will be more wary, and there will be more respect."

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie emphasised that it was a clean slate in 2011.

"It’s a new year and we can’t rely on last year. The good history won’t count for much and we need to reinvent ourselves and make sure we are ultra-competitive from day one," McKenzie said. He also stressed the importance of the Cairns clash.

"The countdown is on for our trial in Cairns. We know the people up north are excited and we’re expecting a big crowd.

"It’s a great way to kick off the year, going against one of the competition favourites first up."

A Red since 2003, Hynes flourished in an all-star backline last year and he said fans should expect more razzle dazzle in 2011.

"You’ve got Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Digby Ioane there; that sort of play suits the guys we’ve got in our team," Hynes said.

"They don’t even know what they are going to do most of the time, they will try and create something from nothing. They are unpredictable and it’s hard to defend."

And being a World Cup year Hynes is well aware of what’s at stake.

After establishing himself on the wing for the Wallabies, a knee injury jeopardised his Spring Tour and he only managed games against Munster and Leicester in what was essentially a reserve squad.

If Hynes could navigate the Reds to a finals berth, a green and gold recall would be the natural reward. "I’ve got World Cup ambitions, but first I’m looking forward to my 100th cap and making the Super Rugby finals."

The Reds play the Crusaders on January 29 at Barlow Park. Tickets are available at www.ticketlink.com.au.

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/01/11/143825_local-sport-news.html

 

[Scotty]

Do you vote for the Prime Minister?

But I agree, it shouldn't be a popularity contest. We didn't vote for a captain in U12's, and it shouldn't be done in professional rugby either. Coach should always have the last call as a captain has a lot more responsibilities than just being someone other players look up to.

Ah, well no you don't. You vote for your local representative.

 

[Red Rooster]

Macqueen appointed Robinson after an informal canvassing of opinion. From memory I think he picked two or three names himself and went around with his staff getting the players' preference.

That is a poll, Rooster.

You haven't explained how you know that happened - Robinson I know was picked before some of the key players even arrived (eg Giffin & Finegan) - - happy to be convinced with some facts

 

[tranquility]

You haven't explained how you know that happened - Robinson I know was picked before some of the key players even arrived (eg Giffin & Finegan) - - happy to be convinced with some facts

let it go, please.

 

[farva]

Is Suncorp going to be useable for the Reds when they start practice matches?
I certainly hope so.

 

[Scotty]

Don't think any trial games are at suncorp?

 

[DPK]

Reports online that Suncorp is on fire...

Edit: story here: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/brisbanes-suncorp-staudium-on-fire/story-e6frf7jx-1225986177554

 

[MrTimms]

Just a power substation on the same site apparently.

My work has some kit in there, on the ground floor. It was all just refreshed over xmas. Looks like it might need another refresh. Anyone in the market for a couple of slightly water damaged servers?

 

[brokendown]

Is Suncorp going to be useable for the Reds when they start practice matches?
I certainly hope so.

I seem to recognise that photo Farva

 

[Jets]

Reds doing some great work in the community.

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/1074/Default.aspx

Also the Fainga'a twins tweeted that they will give their first match payment to the Premiers flood fund.

 

[en_force_er]

The article about the fires says the playing field has been untouched but the picture would suggest otherwise.

I'm more then confused.

 

[MrTimms]

Last I heard, from inside the stadium, there was 1m of water in the change rooms and that was about half to an hour ago.

 

[TOCC]

good to see the Reds helping out in the community...

I wouldn't worry about Suncorp, a lot can happen in a few weeks, might take a bit for the pitch to recover though

 

[mudskipper]

I heard on the ABC 702 that Suncrop was on fire... perhaps the Reds will play some games own at Skills stadium this season

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Fainga'a twins have pledged their round 1 match payments for donation and have challenged all Super players across other teams to follow suit. Hopefully this gets a strong following.

 

[wamberal]

Reds doing some great work in the community.

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/581/ArticleID/1074/Default.aspx

Also the Fainga'a twins tweeted that they will give their first match payment to the Premiers flood fund.

To be fair, a Super match payment for the lower ranked players is a much more generous gesture than it would be for the Test regulars. Perhaps the big guys should give a Test match payment, as well.

 

[barbarian]

A donation of a super match payment is fantastic if you are Matt Giteau or the reserve prop for the Rebels. I don't think its our place to call people out to donate anything, they are all doing a great job at the moment and I wish them all the luck in the world. Except when they play the Tahs.