Reds 2018

[Braveheart81]

Higginbotham doesn't need players picked around him! What he needs, like any backrower, is to be picked in a balanced backrow! Which we haven't had for years because of our unconventional openside flanker.
NB: no disrespect to our openside flanker.

How can Timu be behind Niasarani when he's not eligible to play for Australia? Just stop including him in the conversation for at least another year!

Any balanced backrow we have been able to pick in recent years is worse than picking our best two backrowers and a player to complement them.

This has been a problem for the Wallabies for a couple of years. Pocock and McMahon have played better at number 8 than any true specialist number 8 since Palu was at his prime.

 

[emuarse]

When all fit, would see cheika picking both Dempsey and Pocock ahead of Timu at 8. Probably less about what # no.8 he is as to what # backrower he is.

Hanigan, Dempsey, Pocock & Hooper are the favourites, then Timani is probably safe until Naisarani is around. Or if Mccalman doesn't come good, Timani will be safe all the way through to WC with Naisarani. I like Higs > Timu but that means nothing. Apart from Valetini (obviously injured), noone looked/looks like obviously being better then Timu (Holloway, Mccaffrey, Cottrell, RHP, all around the same level)

For upcoming series I can see Tui covering backrow if required as a 5th lock in the 32 man squad.

hk - Tpn(rangi) Uelese Amosa
FR - Sio Slipper Kepu Ala'alatoa Tupou
LK - Simmons Coleman Arnold Rodda Tui
br - Dempsey Hanigan Timani Pocock Hoops
HB - Genia Powell Phipps(Ruru)
fh - Foley Lealiifano
c - Hodge Beale kerevi TK
OB - Koroibete Naivalu DHP Folau Speight (Maddocks)

Lealiifano did not play flyhalf, but IC, for the Brumbies last weekend.

 

[Jets]

Back to the Reds, while the team did really well to get a win Nabuli has been an absolute passenger. His form seems to have been on a downward trajectory since the June test window last season, when ironically he was picked for the Wallabies. While Perese is out do we have any other options?

 

[SouthernX]

Back to the Reds, while the team did really well to get a win Nabuli has been an absolute passenger. His form seems to have been on a downward trajectory since the June test window last season, when ironically he was picked for the Wallabies. While Perese is out do we have any other options?

I don't know about alternatives JETS but speaking of Perese and when he returns (if he returns, I don't like the projected time frame on that kind of injury) I could totally see the case where Nabuli slips out of the match day 23.

You've got Daugunu who is in red hot form who needs a contract extension yesterday (I'm afraid his 1 year deal he might be on French/Japanese Radar) Then you've got DP who offers a bit more flexibility coming off the bench with what positions he can cover.

I just wouldn't be surprised to see Nabuli playing for GPS Rugby sometimes soon because I believe Daugunu and Perese will be the wingers in a Brad Thorn Reds XV

 

[Jets]

Reds playing like QLD Maroons. Could have sworn Horse Niebling was on field today. Seeya at at Lang Park.

I watched some league yesterday and was thinking the same thing. Forward hit ups followed by out the back plays to get some width. I would love them to work on some ball skills and short passes as they would find quite a bit of space.

The ball from Stewart to Timu behind Tupou was great, the kind of subtlety they need to use in more of their play.

I'm coming around to the Thorn Reds, what I have liked is the improvement in skills each week. The Stormers will be a huge test this week. They were unlucky on their tour but will be a force back in SA.

 

[RugbyReg]

Back to the Reds, while the team did really well to get a win Nabuli has been an absolute passenger. His form seems to have been on a downward trajectory since the June test window last season, when ironically he was picked for the Wallabies. While Perese is out do we have any other options?

there's always the option of Paia'aua starting back at 12 and Samu and CFS shuffling out one. Doesn't seem too likely though.

 

[Zero_Cool]

there's always the option of Paia'aua starting back at 12 and Samu and CFS shuffling out one. Doesn't seem too likely though.

You could also play Toua on the wing, shuffle the rest of the backline and have Stewart / Paia'aua fill in whatever holes there are left. We don't really have anyone else in the touring squad who can outright play wing, IMO even CFS isn't a real winger, he's more a center playing on the wing (but isn't a bad option).

It's interesting at the start of the season you would have guessed fly half and centers would have been our problem position not the wing.

 

[Jets]

After the weekend I can't see Toua moving from 15. He integral to the attacking structure of the team.

 

[Zero_Cool]

After the weekend I can't see Toua moving from 15. He integral to the attacking structure of the team.

I broadly agree, but if you have Stewart / Lance / Paia'aua at 10/15 instead you could easily do without Toua at 15 as what he provides they could cover. Interestingly in that playmaking capacity, I think Toua has been getting more out of our backs than Lance has. Kind of awkward that the winger turned fullback is a better fly half than the fly half.

 

[Braveheart81]

I like that your angle for criticising Lance has changed. At least you're mixing it up.

 

[Braveheart81]

Karmichael Hunt suspended for 4 games and fined $10,000 by RA. Makes him available whenever the Reds want him (although seems unlikely at this point they will select him).

It will be interesting to see whether he is allowed back to training when the team returns.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Karmichael Hunt suspended for 4 games and fined $10,000 by RA. Makes him available whenever the Reds want him (although seems unlikely at this point they will select him).

It will be interesting to see whether he is allowed back to training when the team returns.

Rugby AU deemed Hunt's arrest a low-level breach of the code of conduct

You'd think the ARU/QRU would want any excuse to tear up his contract and make the problem go away, so musn't be much evidence there - presuming they don't need to get tot the same evidencery standard as the court system

Rohan Welsh reporting that he'll be placed on an illicit drug target testing program for 12 months- which can include hair testing so if he has been up to mischief that might still come to light (surely he's been tested already though?!?!)

 

[Ruggo]

Timu is very Kefu like. It is the gauge of a quality 8.

 

[Scrubber2050]

I broadly agree, but if you have Stewart / Lance / Paia'aua at 10/15 instead you could easily do without Toua at 15 as what he provides they could cover. Interestingly in that playmaking capacity, I think Toua has been getting more out of our backs than Lance has. Kind of awkward that the winger turned fullback is a better fly half than the fly half.

Lance is playing so well I think the Reds should do a deal with the Pommies
and try and keep him.

He is not too expensive and still before his prime.

Lock him in !

 

[upthereds#!]

Who would pick Hunt and if so, where?

 

[Zero_Cool]

Who would pick Hunt and if so, where?

Well unless they have to quickly fly over a scrub side from those who stayed home or face a forfeit (I mean it could be possible), but surely they would just reschedule; Karmichael isn't an issue that can't really be discussed until April, so I'm sure the QRU will have a lot to think about.

As for if I'd pick him, I would not, but I'd also not pick Lance so I'm hardly a good yardstick to measure by. Where does he play, he can only really play fullback at the moment, he'd probably solve our 'Nabuli wing issue' with Toua moving to the wing and having Hunt and Toua play that wing/fullback role between them with Daugunu being the outright winger.
If we are picking Hunt, I would like to see him defending in the front line and Lance to drop back to the fullback role when in defence, Lance is being hidden on the wing anyway (interestingly Stewart clearly wasn't with his over 9000 tackles!).

I think the QRU will actually look to rip up his contract if they can / could, there is already rumblings of him going to France, I think alea iacta est (the die is cast) in regard to Hunt. If they can't get out of his contact they'll tell him to sign elsewhere before he doesn't play for too long and he can't get another contract.

 

[Beer Baron]

Well unless they have to quickly fly over a scrub side from those who stayed home or face a forfeit (I mean it could be possible), but surely they would just reschedule; Karmichael isn't an issue that can't really be discussed until April, so I'm sure the QRU will have a lot to think about.

As for if I'd pick him, I would not, but I'd also not pick Lance so I'm hardly a good yardstick to measure by. Where does he play, he can only really play fullback at the moment, he'd probably solve our 'Nabuli wing issue' with Toua moving to the wing and having Hunt and Toua play that wing/fullback role between them with Daugunu being the outright winger.
If we are picking Hunt, I would like to see him defending in the front line and Lance to drop back to the fullback role when in defence, Lance is being hidden on the wing anyway (interestingly Stewart clearly wasn't with his over 9000 tackles!).

I think the QRU will actually look to rip up his contract if they can / could, there is already rumblings of him going to France, I think alea iacta est (the die is cast) in regard to Hunt. If they can't get out of his contact they'll tell him to sign elsewhere before he doesn't play for too long and he can't get another contract.

I think Hunt would be keen to go to France so he doesn't have to hid his face anymore. He has probably lived a boring life in the last few months, keeping away from unwanted attention.

 

[Tomikin]

Wasn't Toua signed as emergency cover for Hunt and if Hunts available doesn't that leave Toua without a gig?

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[Scoey]

Wasn't Toua signed as emergency cover for Hunt and if Hunts available doesn't that leave Toua without a gig?

Yep he was signed as emergency cover for Hunt. Not sure where that leaves him or the Reds now though. I imagine the Reds are trying to work out how to cancel Hunt’s contract at the moment.

Toua is coming off a season in Japan with the Honda Heat.

To fit Rugby Australia’s contracting rules, he would essentially need to fit the category of “emergency cover”, which Hunt’s drawn-out court process has now created.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby...t/news-story/b6bdf68718d61259eda06c26bfbd4ffe

 

[Wilson]

Wasn't Toua signed as emergency cover for Hunt and if Hunts available doesn't that leave Toua without a gig?

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That probably depends on the contract Toua signed - if it was temporary cover then he might be out of luck, but I imagine it was a one year deal which should have him fine until the end of the season. At this stage the reds should be pretty keen to re-sign him too. Not sure if he has anymore time left on his honda contract but as long as it's only a year there shouldn't be any complications there.

With the way squad sizes and salary caps have been ignored this year I can't see the aru kicking up much of a stink, particularly as I'm sure they'd like to see hunt moved on aswell.

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