Reds 2017

[RugbyReg]

Smith is the biggest question mark.

The ARU will be chipping in big time for Cooper and also a little for Leroy.

Higgers is coming home where he has a business set up.

Moore is doing something similar (I'd suggest the Reds would be paying him less than they were paying Saia).

The Faingaas, Gill and Goromaru would free up a fair bit of dough

 

[TOCC]

I didn't realise Higgers could play as a lock\6 option

Wallabies don't need a lock/6 option, they need a blindside who is also a genuine line out option.. as it stands, Mumm and Fardy are the only two in Australia who really fill that criteria... been able to play lock as well isn't a selection criteria.

For the record, I'm not suggesting Higgers should be taken into the Wallabies, but if he did it would be as a backrower who provides a line out option.

 

[gel]

It's a good squad.

So was 2015.

It is all on the coaching and backroom now.

 

[No4918]

Reds at $23 to win the comp next year. 10th on the list. In comparison the Brumbies are around $11 and four of the Kiwi sides around $5-6.

Very tasty.

 

[BDA]

It's certainly a better squad than 2016. There's enough starch in the pack, and flair in the backs, to do something, but as Gel says, its really about whether they can get they get the most out of the talent.

Remember the year Rocky Elsom went back to the Brumbies. Some stupid pundits were referring to them as the Real Madrid of Super Rugby. Then they turned out to be shithouse.

Re Higgers - never been the biggest fan but he would probably fits the right mold for the type of 6 the wallabies need atm - strong in the line-out with a bit of mongrel.

 

[fatprop]

Wallabies don't need a lock/6 option,

When we run a normal reserves split, it isn't unusual to see the reserve backrower to be a "lock/6" (or even a starting 6 or lock to be a "lock/6"), both Fardy and Mumm fit that bill.

Higgers is another great option for 8 or 6.

Is he back permanently or still running a Japanese contract concurrently?

 

[Scrubber2050]

The biggest criticism of Higgers last time at the Reds was that he played very loose..

Maybe with the forward pack we have that luxury can be catered for quite easily. The bloke is a damaging runner out wide. Hopefully he never again tries to kick the ball.

 

[RedsHappy]

Optimism alive and well for the Reds 2017.

Forward pack looks great, the backs ok. Cooper and Kerevi will make a huge difference.

Some early wins to boost confidence and anything can happen.

Tahs and Brumbies on a slide downwards, Rebels on the up.. Force at par again.

Reds could very easily top the Aussie conference.

Let's wish.

But as I think you and I have agreed here before: Aus Super Rugby history clearly, very clearly, shows that the difference between having a 'Title winning squad' and 'winning a Title' is the calibre of the entire coaching group, and not just a very good HC alone.The assistant and specialist positions are as important as they map key zones for skills education, skills improvement and total team balance and cohesion.

The above will be even more true now that the Super competition from NZ is so much more advanced and skilled-up than it was in, say, 2011. No Aus Super team is likely to be in the final 4 of Super 18 2017 unless they can consistently beat NZ teams.

 

[Lindommer]

Could one of the more knowledgeable Reds fans put up a list of ages of the squad as at 1 January 2017. There seem to be a lot eligible for a Seniors Card in the published list.

 

[fatprop]

Could one of the more knowledgeable Reds fans put up a list of ages of the squad as at 1 January 2017. There seem to be a eligible for a Seniors Card in the published list.

On the Reds thread that is described as "brimming with experience"

 

[TOCC]

Could one of the more knowledgeable Reds fans put up a list of ages of the squad as at 1 January 2017. There seem to be a lot eligible for a Seniors Card in the published list.

Only 3 players over 30... same as the Waratahs...

 

[NTT]

Great news for young Jayden Ngamanu. Ngamanu should be a genuine contender for the Aussie 7s with his touch footy background.
It is also great news for WA produced talent with 4 of the 5 franchises now featuring WA produced talent.

 

[TOCC]

Since ages were brought up, here it is..

Moore 33 has Ready(23) as an understudy so no issues. Smith at 35 is the one area which age and depth which might count against the Reds in 2017. In the longer term fullback as well, Hunt will probably move on post 2017 and there is no obvious contender to replace him, although Banks has shown some promising signs this NRC.

1. Slipper 27
2. Moore 33
3. Tupou 20
4. Simmons 27
5. Douglas 27
6. Tui 28
7. Smith 35
8. Houston 29
9. Frisby 23
10. Cooper 28
11. Perese 19
12. Paia'aua 21
13. Kerevi 23
14. Kuridrani 24
15. Hunt 29

16. Ready 23
17. Paraka 22
18. Talakai 25
19. Neville 27
20. Higginbotham 30
21. Tuttle 20
22. Magnay 19
23. Banks 22

 

[amirite]

Since ages were brought up, here it is..

Moore 33 has Ready(23) as an understudy so no issues. Smith at 35 is the one area which age and depth which might count against the Reds in 2017. In the longer term fullback as well, Hunt will probably move on post 2017 and there is no obvious contender to replace him, although Banks has shown some promising signs this NRC.

1. Slipper 27
2. Moore 33
3. Tupou 20
4. Simmons 27
5. Douglas 27
6. Tui 28
7. Smith 35
8. Houston 29
9. Frisby 23
10. Cooper 28
11. Perese 19
12. Paia'aua 21
13. Kerevi 23
14. Kuridrani 24
15. Hunt 29

16. Ready 23
17. Paraka 22
18. Talakai 25
19. Neville 27
20. Higginbotham 30
21. Tuttle 20
22. Magnay 19
23. Banks 22

I just don't really rate Kuridrani. He does silly things from time to time and his top line speed just isn't there.

Unless he's been awesome this NRC. Has he?

 

[TOCC]

He barely played Super Rugby in 2016, had a few games towards the end and did a few good things.. He isn't a speedster thats for sure, i thought he was good in contact but that wing position is probably the one most up for grabs.

 

[Beer Baron]

It's certainly a better squad than 2016. There's enough starch in the pack, and flair in the backs, to do something, but as Gel says, its really about whether they can get they get the most out of the talent.

Remember the year Rocky Elsom went back to the Brumbies. Some stupid pundits were referring to them as the Real Madrid of Super Rugby. Then they turned out to be shithouse.

Re Higgers - never been the biggest fan but he would probably fits the right mold for the type of 6 the wallabies need atm - strong in the line-out with a bit of mongrel.

Agreed. This side will be Stiles blessing or curse. Good enough cattle to win. Line up on paper is easily as good as 2011. Up to the coaches now

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

 

[dru]

Agreed. This side will be Stiles blessing or curse. Good enough cattle to win. Line up on paper is easily as good as 2011. Up to the coaches now

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

The 2011 team, at their peak, would not imo win Super Rugby 2017.

That said I utterly welcome a Reds team that gets close to 2011!

 

[liquor box]

I just don't really rate Kuridrani. He does silly things from time to time and his top line speed just isn't there.

Unless he's been awesome this NRC. Has he?

I really like Kuridrani but cannot find a place in the team for him. I think there are younger players equally as good but have potential to be better.

If I could have one thing it would be a kicking coach working with the entire backline so we can actually kick next year. We need to be able to have more than just QC (Quade Cooper) kicking the ball

 

[Hugh Jarse]

So much for the Ballymore Kid of 2015.

Has Prince Laloifi been sacked or is he off overseas for 2017? Would have thought the Ballymore Kid contract was for more than one season.

Has the EPS been announced? CBF reading the front page article.

Pretty good looking squad. Hopefully the punters return to Suncorp, but there is a lot of goodwill that has been pissed up against the wall since RG took over.

Australian Rugby needs the Reds to perform and be competitive.

We need a worldwide media campaign with saturation coverage of Ballymore Carpark and surrounds to try and win the casual fan back to Suncorp.

 

[amirite]

^^^^^^
That's a strange one. Hopefully he's picked up by the Aus 7s.