Reds 2018

[liquor box]

There is a lot to like out of QLD Country. Hopefully the positives can be transferred across to the Reds, something Stiles failed to do with his City success.

Timu and Tupou look outstanding at NRC level.

After seeing the game last week I had to control my excitement for next year. Look at how good they look and add in a bit more talent from City and elsewhere and it is hard to see why we cant be very competitive, unfortunately I then had to temper my excitement as I have learnt from this scenario previously.

 

[Sully]

As I see it, Thorn has put his line in the sand and players can either buy in or get left behind.
Cooper is at his crossroads. There are two or three guys showing great promise in Qld Country and Cooper can either evolve his game and fix his defensive issues or he could find himself in clubland.

 

[Jets]

Cooper has too much to offer to be in clubland. Ironically I feel he would add a lot to the Wallabies with his wide passing game. Also I don’t think his defence will keep him out.

I do think the Reds will need to blood the next in line in Stewart with cameos off the bench or even a start at 12 so he can develop his game.


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[dru]

Cooper has too much to offer to be in clubland. Ironically I feel he would add a lot to the Wallabies with his wide passing game. Also I don’t think his defence will keep him out.

I do think the Reds will need to blood the next in line in Stewart with cameos off the bench or even a start at 12 so he can develop his game.


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It’s fair enough to say he is at a cross roads, though. I wish him all the best and expect that he will approach things with his usual vim.

 

[TOCC]

I do think the Reds will need to blood the next in line in Stewart with cameos off the bench or even a start at 12 so he can develop his game.

Stewart has shown he can play 12 pretty well as well, I also think he has some positive attributes for fullback. I don’t think Quade will hold Stewart back at Super Rugby level, he will get his plenty of opportunity off the bench in those positions IMO.

 

[RugbyReg]

Interestingly Stewart made the 4th most tackles in the NRC with 98.

He was behind No 8 Peni Raidre (105), lock Tom Staniforth (102) and flanker Mosese Voka (100).

Seems he missed 20 tackles putting him at 83% success rate which is not too bad for a teenage inside back.

 

[redstragic]

Interestingly Stewart made the 4th most tackles in the NRC with 98.

He was behind No 8 Peni Raidre (105), lock Tom Staniforth (102) and flanker Mosese Voka (100).

Seems he missed 20 tackles putting him at 83% success rate which is not too bad for a teenage inside back.

Just on the Stewart train, anyone think he looks and moves a bit like a young Elton Flatley or Pat Howard? Great pass, good kick, good defense, he looks dependable and safe.

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[TOCC]

Dependable and safe are an apt description I think


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[redstragic]

Dependable and safe are an apt description I think


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I'd like a bit of that I have to say and it seems to work. He and Duncan play a good structure and get good pill to their runners and they have been racking up big scores.

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[RoffsChoice]

I could see him being as good as Flats, no doubt he'll hit the rookie wall, where he goes from there is anyone's guess.

 

[TSR]

Interestingly Stewart made the 4th most tackles in the NRC with 98.

He was behind No 8 Peni Raidre (105), lock Tom Staniforth (102) and flanker Mosese Voka (100).

Seems he missed 20 tackles putting him at 83% success rate which is not too bad for a teenage inside back.

Not to split hairs, but for a teenage inside back I would have though 83% qualifier as exceptional.

 

[amirite]

Interestingly Stewart made the 4th most tackles in the NRC with 98.

He was behind No 8 Peni Raidre (105), lock Tom Staniforth (102) and flanker Mosese Voka (100).

Seems he missed 20 tackles putting him at 83% success rate which is not too bad for a teenage inside back.

Amongst his ilk at the U20 WC his defence was devastating. To the point he got carded for lifting tackles.

I think he could be good, probably not a 12 though. Maybe he could be a 12 in the way To'omua was/is a 12. Jerseys are just jerseys nowadays I guess.

 

[TSR]

Amongst his ilk at the U20 WC his defence was devastating. To the point he got carded for lifting tackles.

I think he could be good, probably not a 12 though. Maybe he could be a 12 in the way To'omua was/is a 12. Jerseys are just jerseys nowadays I guess.

We don’t want him to be a 12 though. Maybe for a year or two we want him to be able to cover 12, but 10 is his spot and, for mine, that is the spot we want him growing into.

If Cooper recaptures form and fitness to make that an issue, than I personally think that is great.

 

[Jets]

I don’t think anyone is saying he should be a 12. Most good 10’s spend some time at 12 outside a quality 10. It allows them to learn from someone on the field.


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[amirite]

Well then Elton Flatley is an interesting point of comparison in that case.

For the record, I think he'll end up a 10, once Cooper leaves. Probably post-WC.

Him and Duncan already play well in that combination

 

[RoffsChoice]

The backline is full of talent. I think the only certainties are Tuttle at 9 and Hunt at 15, and Kerevi somewhere in the centres. Apart from that, you have to fit Cooper, Stewart, Paia'aua, Perese, Nabuli, and CFS into four spots. Hell, if Maranta can finally recover from those injuries, he should be considered as well.

Could be a toss-up between Cooper and Stewart, depends on how Thorn feels about it after working with Stewart in the NRC. Centre paring could be Paia'aua and Kerevi or Kerevi and Perese. Who knows what will happen on the wings.

 

[Ruggo]

All this tit for tat bullshit about who plays where. It's crap, this is where its at really. The significant change that happening at QLD Country and will transfer into the Reds is Thorn is putting an emphasis on body height and how players maximize their power. It is something we don't do well in Australian rugby and he is bringing in a much needed change. His players also look fit and are making good decisions as a result. We all know the Reds have a talented roster and he is looking good to get the best technically out of them. This change of focus is refreshing.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Quade has not been consistently good for a few years (about 5) and I reckon Thorn will lose "patience" with him after a few games (if he doesn't produce quality performances)

IMO Stewart really looks like a talent but only at 10.

Tough and not afraid of contact at all.

Super rugby is a huge step up from NRC so I will wait and see if the transition is seamless.

I hope for Reds rugby that it is.

 

[Sully]

Quade has not been consistently good for a few years (about 5) and I reckon Thorn will lose "patience" with him after a few games (if he doesn't produce quality performances)

IMO Stewart really looks like a talent but only at 10.

Tough and not afraid of contact at all.

Super rugby is a huge step up from NRC so I will wait and see if the transition is seamless.

I hope for Reds rugby that it is.

I'd agree if I hadn't seen him play two games at inside centre while Duncan Paia'aua was away with the Wallabies. He was surprisingly good.

 

[Scrubber2050]

^^^^^^^
Fair enough Sully.

More than anything else, moving forward, we need a reliable, consistent 10.

This kid looks the goods to me, bring him on slowly this year with plenty of bench spots and a few starts as well.

Maybe he'll be good enough to take the reins in 2019 (if we don't fucking lose him to another franchise)