Reds 2018

[upthereds#!]

losing talakai will hurt. Lucky to have slipper back with faagase backing him up, vanzati just isn't up to scratch and nor is Sanday. Asiati has been benching and playing LHP for country so that doesn't help. Soooo I think we do really need Manu.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I wonder how long George Smith will remain as an elite Super player.

Age catches up with all of us.

Reckon young Wright will be blooded behind George next year and will probably be the starter from then on.

Think Liam has extended for 3 years so he is not even an option, moving forward.

Does anyone know how long George is contracted at the Reds ?

Contracted until the end of next year

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk

 

[upthereds#!]

Liam is on stupid money, if the wallabies don't pitch in then why would he come back to continue sitting behind hooper and then mcmahon when he comes back and poey till he retires/leaves/president of the world. Would love Gilly at the Reds but I can't see it happening before the WC.

 

[TSR]

For starters, there should be fewer lock penalties next year. That's a plus.

Simmons didn’t have a great Super year, but the fact that he is a penalty magnet isn’t supported by facts.

I guess I shouldn’t bite - but I really think you do yourself no credit with the constant chipping at Simmons. You seem intent to take every chance to chuck in a dig at him, often when the proceeding commentary had nothing to do with him. Your obviously entitled to your opinion but personally I think some of the stuff you write on Simmons borders on obsessive. He is a far better player than you give him credit for.

 

[Scrubber2050]

^^^^^^^^

and he's got a heap of caps under Dingo, Link and even Chek

 

[Brumby Runner]

I used to be accused of having an unwarranted go at Frisby while all and sundry north of the NSW border had him as the next Wallaby No 9. After being called out on it by TOCC (I think) I vowed to leave him alone, which I have done even as afterwards he has been lambasted by nearly every Qld supporter on this site.

I rate Simmons in the same category as Frisby - overhyped and extremely ineffectual. Rob has won his caps on the misconception that he was the only lock in the country able to call a lineout. I am predicting there will be fewer rusted on supporters for him once he turns out in Waratah colours, though that might just cement his Wallabies' spot in the eyes of the coaching staff.

It is my sincere belief that Rob has been more a passenger with the Wallabies over the course of his career than an effective contributor. However, I will now contain my criticisms as best I can and wait for the tide of opinion to change as it surely will.

 

[TSR]

I will now contain my criticisms as best I can

Cheers BR - that’s all I’m asking/suggesting.

I’m not trying to change your opinion - you’re as entitled to that as I am of mine.

 

[TOCC]

I used to be accused of having an unwarranted go at Frisby while all and sundry north of the NSW border had him as the next Wallaby No 9. After being called out on it by TOCC (I think) I vowed to leave him alone, which I have done even as afterwards he has been lambasted by nearly every Qld supporter on this site.

Well, that’s not quite how it happened. You made a comment that you hadn’t criticised Frisby in the past, and I pointed out otherwise. You can revisit that conversation here if you like:

Only because i find it entertaining:

 

[Brumby Runner]

Well, that’s not quite how it happened. You made a comment that you hadn’t criticised Frisby in the past, and I pointed out otherwise. You can revisit that conversation here if you like:

Yep, that's what I meant. Sorry if I conveyed a wrong impression.

 

[dru]

Yep, that's what I meant. Sorry if I conveyed a wrong impression.

Simmo is fair game, and plenty of Red supporters have been there. My thought is more around respect, he has committed a lot to rugby and probably deserves better. It wasnt just his line out calling, which was apparently excellent, but his work around the park - easy, easy, let me finish. His stats always read well, frequently shown in FF (Folau Fainga'a) ruck stats etc. The guy gets himsself involved in everything. His effectiveness in those involvements is where criticsm would be based. Problem is that it is subjective and hard to get a solid metric on it. FWIW I'd agree. The guy deserves to be treated with respect on a Reds forum. Great servant. Really happy he found a role at the Waratahs. But I'm not unhappy with the Reds locking stocks for 2018.

 

[Scrubber2050]

All posters have their favourite players (and teams) and ones, for one reason or another they don't like (the way they play etc).

All are entitled to their opinion.

Anyone on here who disagrees with that comment is simply a liar

 

[TOCC]

Simmons has been a loyal servant to the Reds and played some great game, I actually agree with not offering him a contract in 2018, If Douglas and Simmons were both off contract in the same year I would have preferred Douglas be released, but Douglas had a year left on his contract. Anyway simmons is a Tahs player in 2018.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[TSR]

All fair enough - but whether Simmons is a good player or not wasn’t really my central point. Honestly I don’t enjoy coming on here when threads descend into constant bagging of specific players. There is enough negativity in Australian Rugby.

Every player is going to cop it at times - and I have made my share of negative contributions. But over the years guys like Giteau, Elsom, Alexander & Tom Carter have been subjected to pretty excessive levels of criticism IMO. I just think the level of negativity gets excessive at times.

Of course - it’s not my internet or even my forum so everyone else is entitled to do what they want. But, when it comes down to it I just made a request of one other forum user (who makes plenty of positive contributions) to tone it down.

He could have told me to get stuffed - but he was good enough to say yes. Which I appreciate.

 

[dru]

TSR, I get what you say, and we have even seen posters banned for following player obsessions. (Remember KAO pointman?)

My response isn't even over this specific, but having some tolerance to dissenting views. We see now TOCC restraining comment on WBs threads because his view doesn't follow the "sheeple" narrative. I had already stopped commenting, restraining to "like" when it made sense, but with critics withdrawing I'm posting again.

There is also an issue with courtesy, so here on the Reds forum, I'm happy to state, for instance, that I think Foley is an WB error and that Quade is a far superior 10, even in 2017. But courtesy suggests I leave it alone at the Waratahs, and these days WB discussions. Same same, Hanigan I will comment on at the WBs (hasn't reached the respect level that Foley has yet) but wouldn't do it on the Waratahs thread.

OTOH a long term Red like Scrubber critics Quade here and I don't have a problem (don't agree, but as along term Red he's entitled to his expression).

Here at the Reds, it's pleasing that BR took your point and agreed to tone it down on Simmo. I hope he continues expression in threads such as the WBs etc.

Just my 2c, but I think it's a retrograde step when critics are excessively targeted on an opinion forum. There is always the "ignore" button.

 

[TSR]

I agree Dru. Like I said - BR could have told me to get stuffed. To his credit he didn’t.

For my part there are also several topics/players which I try not to comment on because I’ve said me piece.

I do agree that some people who steadfastly refute any suggestions that things could/should be done better can be equally frustrating - but equally I also think some of those posters comments are often misconstrued. There are a couple of posters on here who seem to incessantly back one position, to the wraith of many, but in their comments they do actually acknowledge their own concerns. They just choose to try and look for the positive or to understand the rational.

I actually really enjoy healthy discussion and come to this forum because it gives me a whole range of different opinions and perspectives on my favourite Sport. There are plenty I don’t agree with that I still always enjoy reading. I actually enjoy a lot of the stuff BR writes. Some I agree with, some I don’t.

Anyway..... enough from me.

 

[Dctarget]

I enjoyed his gallop to the try line last weekend, decent acceleration for an old giraffe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[liquor box]

George Smith - most penalised player on the most penalised team in the comp and Kane Douglas, who was leading the comp until he got benched are where Thorn should really be focussing his attention.

Some of the penalties those two gave away were just unforgiveable for senior members of the team

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk

So Nabuli had four penalties, from memory wasn't he carded four times as well, interesting if this is the case, every foul was a major one

 

[TOCC]

Harry Hockings has played well for QLD Country in 2017 as well,I thought he would struggle with the physicality of the NRC but he Blyth have been holding their own. Between Tui, Rodda and Hockings, the Reds have a quality sample of locks for the next few years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[TSR]

Super Rugby stats have Nabuli as 3 cards from 6 penalties conceded. Still too high.

 

[TSR]

I know comparisons have been made between Thorn’s success coaching Qld Country and Stiles previous success coaching Brisbane City. But I feel like Thorn has done it with a more limited roster.

Off the top of my head from the GF team only Tuttle, DP & Nabuli are the regular super rugby starters while Mafi & Tupou are probably next level down & Timu is a super rugby starter in waiting IMO. Not sure how CFS should be classified - plenty of super rugby experience, but limited success to this point.

Most of the rest are up and comers or good club players. But Thorn has bought technique & application. They’ve played some really good, up tempo rugby. Some of the support play was very good to watch.

I think it’s also probably a much higher standard comp then even last year.