Reds 2013

[tranquility]

Mate we don't even have a backup 13 other than Sautia.. Centre is where we are probably at our thinnest in terms of depth I would say..

 

[Penguin]

I wouldn't have reckoned Gagai would have filled that gap either Tranquility. More of a winger I'd have thought.

 

[TOCC]

Fullback and Centre are the two weak spots...

Its a shame Jono Lance was injured because he really could have filled the utility role this year with the centre and fullback injuries.

 

[liquor box]

Mate we don't even have a backup 13 other than Sautia.. Centre is where we are probably at our thinnest in terms of depth I would say..

Harris, A Fainga'a, Taps, Digby, Lucas, Morahan. Now there is quite a bit of arguing over whether they are all competant at centre, but we have a few who can play there in our squad.

 

[Penguin]

Fullback and Centre are the two weak spots...

Its a shame Jono Lance was injured because he really could have filled the utility role this year with the centre and fullback injuries.

I would have loved to see Latho running around with the current crop of players, he'd be unstoppable!

 

[TOCC]

I would have loved to see Latho running around with the current crop of players, he'd be unstoppable!

Definetly, still haven't had a player quite like him... There was a few times on the weekend i was wishing we still had his booming 60-70m kick

 

[I like to watch]

Yeah, the Tahs were chasing him hard. The Reds actually finally re-snared Lucas only weeks ago as they rushed him in to HQ the weekend of the The Great Genia Drama and said 'Genia's going, we'd love you to re-sign now' and, yes, he did on the assumed premise of Genia's goodbye. When Genia changed minds, the Reds offered Lucas the chance to back away and rescind the re-sign, but he decided to keep the deal. There was quite a bit of angst over all this.

BB. It's a heart-rending provincial rugby tragedy of sorts. He's been a net poor investment for the Tahs, it's not worked out how anybody hoped. But, when you look carefully, how many 'star shifts' of this type really have? It's not worked at the Force, but they persist in believing it will. The jury's out at the Rebels re star shifts, let's assess at the end of 2013's S15 season. When the Brums star shifted lots but the other way around, things just got so much better.

Agree in the main about star shifts as you call them, however when you get the right one they are worth their weight in gold.
Gareth in Melbourne has been their best signing, as much for what he obviously adds off the field as on it.Another was Braid with the Reds who IMO was their most important player in their transition from losers to winners.But these guys do not grow on trees do they?

 

[something]

Mate we don't even have a backup 13 other than Sautia.. Centre is where we are probably at our thinnest in terms of depth I would say..

They've put Diggers in there with relative success, Sautia also yes. you could always throw Taps into 13.. 2 good, 1 relatively unknown (but he will be good)

 

[tranquility]

Harris, A Fainga'a, Taps, Digby, Lucas, Morahan. Now there is quite a bit of arguing over whether they are all competant at centre, but we have a few who can play there in our squad.

None of these blokes can play 13 except Finger. Taps does play there, but shouldn't. We should sign Rex Tapuai as a 13 backup in my opinion.

 

[TOCC]

None of these blokes can play 13 except Finger. Taps does play there, but shouldn't. We should sign Rex Tapuai as a 13 backup in my opinion.

Rex is past it, missed the opportunity and isn't up to Super Rugby standard..

Ioane can play 13 and has for a whole season, it's also arguably the year he developed from a player with potential to international standard player..he obviously needs a refresher course on the position though.

 

[Jets]

When Digby plays 13 it seems to provide him with a mental shift. I'd love to know the official stats but from memory his strike rate from 13 is much higher than on the wing.

 

[What2040]

what about young Sean Cox from easts, Aussie 7's player

 

[tigerland12]

what about young Sean Cox from easts, Aussie 7's player

Gone for the season, shoulder recon. Can't imagine he'll get picked up anytime soon.

 

[TheBigDog]

The Jonno Lance and Taps combo in the centres was actually going alright, especially defensively, can't remember who was playing which position but for a backup centre pairing I think they do the job fine.

If Reds management are going to be recruiting some more backs i'd like to see them find a fullback with a booming boot. Can't think of anyone right now but it would be good to have someone in the training squad who is a legitimate fullback with good tackling and kicking ability. Morahan has been much better in recent weeks and Ben Lucas is always solid but having a specialist would be nice as well.

 

[What2040]

The Jonno Lance and Taps combo in the centres was actually going alright, especially defensively, can't remember who was playing which position but for a backup centre pairing I think they do the job fine.

If Reds management are going to be recruiting some more backs i'd like to see them find a fullback with a booming boot. Can't think of anyone right now but it would be good to have someone in the training squad who is a legitimate fullback with good tackling and kicking ability. Morahan has been much better in recent weeks and Ben Lucas is always solid but having a specialist would be nice as well.

Lucas becomming unreliable - what about Lindsay crooke - normally a winger but barrel is getting MT

Tiger, - Thought Cox did his hand - is the shoulder a new injury ???

 

[SuperGrover]

For those wondering if Dane Gagai was going to end up with the Reds next year:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...gagais-signature/story-e6frep5x-1226369759399

It might just be the words of a coach trying to justify bringing in a new signing, or desperation brought about by the Knights woeful play this season, but generally when Bennett has an opinion I take notice.

Sounds like Gagai could have been a good signing, although if his axing from the Broncos was a result of "the wrong crowd" influence perhaps it's better that the Reds didn't sign him up. It's a pity a union team outside QLD couldn't/didn't show any interest.

Gagai has God-given gifts, says Bennett

NEWCASTLE coach Wayne Bennett said mid-season recruit Dane Gagai would bring a ''God-given'' talent to the Knights that he could not teach.

The discarded Broncos utility back has signed until the end of 2014. Gagai will train with his new teammates for the first time today but it is understood he is unlikely to make his Newcastle debut against his old club at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Considering him as a winger, centre or fullback, Bennett will monitor Gagai's progress this week, but would not discuss whether he would be considered for selection against the Broncos.

''This guy's a rare talent,'' Bennett told the Herald last night. ''That's why we've brought him here, because he can bring something that I can't coach, and he can bring something the fans want to watch, and that's God-given. If we get the other part right, he can hopefully have a decade here.

''If he was just another footy player that didn't have those special qualities, well, we wouldn't have recruited him. He's got speed, he's highly skilled and he's a football player. In other words, he's not an athlete, but he's got a footy brain about him.''

The 21-year-old former Junior Kangaroos representative signed a two-year contract with the Broncos in March but Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin told him three weeks ago that he would no longer be considered for NRL selection due to a series of disciplinary breaches.

Gagai's indiscretions were undisclosed but Bennett said the Mackay-born former Queensland Schoolboys rugby union representative was not guilty of any abusive or antisocial behaviour linked to drugs or alcohol.

''We need to be candid about it. At the end of the day, the Broncos realised his wonderful potential but felt they'd gone as far as they could with him,'' Bennett said.

''But from all my questioning of people that mattered up there was the fact that he doesn't have a drinking problem and he certainly doesn't do drugs.

''He was missing the odd session here and there, or being late, and he was probably not as disciplined off the field as they wanted him to be. They felt he was getting in with the wrong crowd, and the influences around him weren't good for him, so they just ran out of patience with him. That happens sometimes at footy clubs.''

When the Broncos released him, Gagai said he ''stuffed up'' and their decision was the ''kick in the pants'' he needed. Bennett said Gagai had to support that sentiment with better behaviour off the field.

​

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gagai-has-godgiven-gifts-says-bennett-20120528-1zfg8.html#ixzz1wE7q43RP​

​

 

[tranquility]

Lucas becomming unreliable

Sorry, what?

 

[Godfrey]

Because he's been injured twice?

 

[What2040]

Because he's been injured twice?

If it is only twice - i am very very surprised - I thought over the past couple of seasons it was a lot more.

 

[What2040]

Sorry, what?

Tranquilty - didn't mean unreliable in the sense of ability or what he brings to the Reds- IMO he is a very very important part of the Reds team. Consistence and reliability. He just seems to be copping a few injuries over the past 2 years. Think it bullshit that it is only twice but always prepared to eat my words.