Reds 2015
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Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Makes you wonder about the salary cap doesn't it? And if the reds can fit under with this bunch then what are some of the other teams paying for their players?
MrTabua
Larry Dwyer (12)
We did offload seemingly half the backline and the twins to find room.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
What twins? We've still got them don't we..
The Reds recruitment looks fantastic, but I think it's come about from correcting the ledger a bit in terms of having too many reasonably paid players in similar positions.
Harris and Shipperley would have both been on a decent salary and realistically, Harris wasn't going to be the best player in any of his positions in 2015. With CFS, Turner, and Shipperley, someone needed to move on and be replaced by a minimum contract player (Kuridrani).
Pretty much all Reds fans were upset to lose Ben Lucas but he obviously demanded too much to be a non-starting XV player. His versatility was useful but realistically, he wasn't the second halfback and was generally a utility player on the bench unless there were injuries.
Super Rugby involves plenty of luck in terms of injuries and it seems that you need your bankable stars that carry the team and then a reasonable reliance on young (cheap) players to really stand up and help the team.
The teams that are reasonably consistent across the park but lack that out and out firepower don't seem to win very often.
The twins? The Fainga'as aren't going anywhere.
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Train Without a Station
Guest
I personally don't want the season to start. Could only go downhill from here.
Thinker
Darby Loudon (17)
I'm one of the biggest critics of RG getting around, but I have to admit the off-season recruiting has been good for us.
The other side of the coin is this is an all or nothing squad. If we don't win the Aus Conference RG needs to be gone before the first semi is played.
MrTabua
Larry Dwyer (12)
I've been lied to!!
Good news. Better cross check my sources in future rather than rely on 130am drunken conversations whilst watching the Barbarians.
Thinker
Darby Loudon (17)
About the only positive of the Reds in 2014 was our forward play. Stiles did exactly what he did at the Force and produced a dominant set piece side. Unfortunately, like at the force, it wasn't supported by the rest of the game play.
The pushover try against the feed almost rates as high as Genias GF try or Quades somersault effort as a Suncorp experience.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
Yes, the forward play was much better this year wasn't it?
The point I was more making is that, serious change is happening at Ballymore.
The point I was more making is that, serious change is happening at Ballymore.
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
We have the glam in the backs, we have the balance in our back row, we are getting good depth with a few exceptions but what will make or break us is defense. Who is coaching defense and how are they going to pick up the standard?
I'm excited about 2015 but I'm not blowing my load until we see some serious improvement in defense.
I'm excited about 2015 but I'm not blowing my load until we see some serious improvement in defense.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Didn't Graham say he was going to give up defence?
What is maybe more important is S&C. Our fitness was really bad last year. We could have a fantastic defensive structure but without the S&C it will fall away in the second half. If I remember correctly, this year we lost a lot of second halves.
What is maybe more important is S&C. Our fitness was really bad last year. We could have a fantastic defensive structure but without the S&C it will fall away in the second half. If I remember correctly, this year we lost a lot of second halves.
Only because we didn't replace him well. I don't think he's irreplaceable.
Sword of Justice
Arch Winning (36)
Looks like the Reds have signed Magnay as reported on Fox Sports. Full Contract for 3 years. Obviously he's got potential and already got the size but I can't help thinking that it might have gone to a more needed position like prop.
1 squad position left.
1 squad position left.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
Good signing.
Kid is blue-chip. You gotta keep those types in the kennel.
Would have got him for a bargain, and he could be a real genuine footy player.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
I have a feeling we are not going to use all our EPS spots again, and promote players as need be. There is no way that any of the other props are rated higher than Paraka. I realise he is a LH and we need a TH, but let's assume Talakai gets the TH spot. I think we will leave three EPS spots open.
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