Reds 2013

[tigerland12]

Breakdown in collective bargaining talks could force Scott Higginbotham out of Queensland Reds

• By Bret Harris
• The Australian
• May 03, 20128:07AM

Fan favourite ... Higginbotham might not be in playing Brisbane next season. Source: News Limited
Wallabies backrower Scott Higginbotham may be forced to leave Queensland Reds following the breakdown in negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement.


With both the ARU and the Rugby Players Association refusing to budge over the CBA, the salary cap will remain at $4.1 million instead of the proposed $4.8m.
After re-signing Wallabies halfback Will Genia for $400,000 a season on Monday and still negotiating with high-priced five-eighth Quade Cooper, it will be virtually impossible for the Reds to keep their Super Rugby championship-winning team together under the lower cap.


It is understood the Reds want to keep Higginbotham, but have no room to improve their offer.
Higginbotham is believed to be considering his options in Australia and overseas.

Looking around the other Super Rugby teams, the side that has the most need for a quality backrower are Melbourne Rebels with Welsh No.8 Gareth Delve and English flanker Michael Lipman both returning to Britain at the end of the season.
There was speculation the Rebels would chase David Pocock, but he is expected to stay in Perth or go to the Brumbies. Meawhile, the Force is believed to have made a short list of five candidates to replace the departed head coach Richard Graham.
It includes former Force assistant John Mulvihill, who is coaching Japanese club Kintetsu, and ex-Waratahs attack coach Brian Melrose, an assistant at London Irish.

 

[RedsHappy]

IMO, re Higgers above, just another example of many as to why the entire ARU-oversighted S15 salary cap scheme (and its outmoded business philosophy) is an ass. And a big one.

 

[No4918]

I know people have touted Lucas as the Reds best 15 and most likely to play that role next year if Quade stays but i prefer a traditional 15. Morahan may become one but its a real weakness in the Reds side and would have been last year as well had Quade not defended at 15.
If Toua could stay fit he could have a go but until then i wouldn't be unhappy if the Reds chased someone.

 

[tigerland12]

Toua has the tackling ability to defend in the 10 channel, or alternatively they could just move everyone in one with Tapuai (10), Fainga'a (12), Ioane (13), Toua (11/14), Quade (15).

We cannot lose Higgers, we don't really have any other forwards that have that ball running impact.

 

[Ignoto]

Does anyone know how much the Reds are paying Hynes? I would imagine that he wont be around next year so that would surely free up some room in the "cap"?

 

[TheBigDog]

Lets say we lose Higgers (I pray we don't) and it seems like the fact Genia decided to stick around may influence that decision, did the Reds make the right move by re-signing Genia?

I personally believe that he is the best halfback in Australia but in terms of the Reds, they had some pretty decent replacements in the Lucas brothers and Frisby who from what we have seen so far could be future wallabies (eg Frisby getting picked in Junior World Cup side).

Higginbothams size, mobility and ball skills seem to be one of a kind in the Reds squad. I dare say losing him would leave a bigger hole than Genia would have as we lose lots of forward impact and a key lineout option. If anyone can think of players currently in the club scene who play a similar style to Higgers please feel free to drop some names as the Reds may be on the lookout this offseason...

 

[RedsHappy]

Toua has the tackling ability to defend in the 10 channel, or alternatively they could just move everyone in one with Tapuai (10), Fainga'a (12), Ioane (13), Toua (11/14), Quade (15).

We cannot lose Higgers, we don't really have any other forwards that have that ball running impact.

Tick. To think that after nurturing Higgers for years, our loyalty and his too, we win an S15, massive $ surplus, and now, via a central nanny-the-RUs scheme and the ARU's row with the RUPA aiming to keep the infamous cap in place, we could lose of player of Higgers' value and calibre, it's just fucking madness.

 

[Viking]

Send him to the Rebels, they need a good forward or two!

 

[qwerty51]

IMO, re Higgers above, just another example of many as to why the entire ARU-oversighted S15 salary cap scheme (and its outmoded business philosophy) is an ass. And a big one.

It does suck for the big teams but there's a good argument it spreads the talent around.

 

[en_force_er]

I don't get this umming and arring over the salary cap level. A well run league would say X dollars is our salary cap starting in 2 years and any changes to that number shouldn't be made till at least 2 years after that. Changes need to be made with a couple of years of build-up.

Other poor examples within Super rugby include the farce that is the King's promised 2013 entry.

 

[tigerland12]

It does suck for the big teams but there's a good argument it spreads the talent around.

Nar we'd prefer it if QLD kept most of the talent

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

I know people have touted Lucas as the Reds best 15 and most likely to play that role next year if Quade stays but i prefer a traditional 15. Morahan may become one but its a real weakness in the Reds side and would have been last year as well had Quade not defended at 15.
If Toua could stay fit he could have a go but until then i wouldn't be unhappy if the Reds chased someone.

What about Jono Lance? He's not an out-and-out 15 but did well there last year. How long is he signed for?

Toua just needs to get out on the park more. Anyone know his injury status?

 

[Scotty]

It does suck for the big teams but there's a good argument it spreads the talent around.

As long as the talent stays in this country? Otherwise the argument doesn't work.

 

[Jets]

Lets say we lose Higgers (I pray we don't) and it seems like the fact Genia decided to stick around may influence that decision, did the Reds make the right move by re-signing Genia?

I personally believe that he is the best halfback in Australia but in terms of the Reds, they had some pretty decent replacements in the Lucas brothers and Frisby who from what we have seen so far could be future wallabies (eg Frisby getting picked in Junior World Cup side).

Higginbothams size, mobility and ball skills seem to be one of a kind in the Reds squad. I dare say losing him would leave a bigger hole than Genia would have as we lose lots of forward impact and a key lineout option. If anyone can think of players currently in the club scene who play a similar style to Higgers please feel free to drop some names as the Reds may be on the lookout this offseason...

It's funny that he didn't make the U20's squad last year and Matt Lucas did. I think they will go with Matt in the 20's this year too and bring Frisby off the bench. He can cover 9-15 at that level.

 

[tigerland12]

It's funny that he didn't make the U20's squad last year and Matt Lucas did. I think they will go with Matt in the 20's this year too and bring Frisby off the bench. He can cover 9-15 at that level.

Apparently thats what Link thinks. He's a 9 who have played a little at fullback, thats about it.

And I think the main reason Lucas was picked last year, obviously because he's talented, but because he has been in the Reds set up for a long time and has always had his name out there. Frisby missed Australian schoolboys through injury and had to work his way from Colts to Premier to Reds. Personally I think Frisby is more talented and has a bit more attacking flair, he'd be my first choice 9 at the u20's.

 

[RedsHappy]

It does suck for the big teams but there's a good argument it spreads the talent around.

I do know what you mean, but IMO that's a deeply flawed argument.

What it does do is implements a socialist/collectivist-like model in a bad overall system and the result is merely this: the cost of the chefs are controlled, the calibre and customer quality of the restaurants are not.

The best restaurants gradually are reduced to a mediocre standards as ultimately they struggle to retain their best chefs and newer restaurants desperate to open or just survive are willing to compromise on the dessert chefs just be seen to have 'star' chefs up front. None of this makes them better restaurants as a result, as they are only accountable to anybody for total chefs' costs, not whether they become genuinely successful with their customers and/or (related) develop their own talent. Truly, this type of core, centralised economic control that 'averages down' not 'market-led quality up' is fundamentally part of what sent communist countries into oblivion.

 

[Jets]

Apparently thats what Link thinks. He's a 9 who have played a little at fullback, thats about it.

And I think the main reason Lucas was picked last year, obviously because he's talented, but because he has been in the Reds set up for a long time and has always had his name out there. Frisby missed Australian schoolboys through injury and had to work his way from Colts to Premier to Reds. Personally I think Frisby is more talented and has a bit more attacking flair, he'd be my first choice 9 at the u20's.

I agree that Frisby has great attacking flair. My issue is he has a lot of work to do on his pass. It's still not at the level required to be a top 9. That should be his bread and butter. I would always have him in my 22 for the U20's as he can sniff out a try.

 

[emuarse]

I do know what you mean, but IMO that's a deeply flawed argument.

What it does do is implements a socialist/collectivist-like model in a bad overall system and the result is merely this: the cost of the chefs are controlled, the calibre and customer quality of the restaurants are not.

The best restaurants gradually are reduced to a mediocre standards as ultimately they struggle to retain their best chefs and newer restaurants desperate to open or just survive are willing to compromise on the dessert chefs just be seen to have 'star' chefs up front. None of this makes them better restaurants as a result, as they are only accountable to anybody for total chefs' costs, not whether they become genuinely successful with their customers and/or (related) develop their own talent. Truly, this type of core, centralised economic control that 'averages down' not 'market-led quality up' is fundamentally part of what sent communist countries into oblivion.

I think you've just put me off my dinner.

 

[Ignoto]

It does suck for the big teams but there's a good argument it spreads the talent around.

Heh - the Tahs just recruited their third openside in the past couple weeks.

 

[qwerty51]

I don't think we have 3 signed for 2013 yet.