Reds 2018

[Thinker]

At the end of the day Simmons has never truly been a standout but who is making these decisions? Cordingley? Stiles? The homeless guy asking for change at the traffic lights on Kelvin Grove Rd?

Stiles and Cordingley have been long-term servants, when is someone having the difficult talk with them?

 

[RugbyReg]

yep. Good strong decision I reckon.

Wonder what will happen with Neville?

Also, assume Hendrick Tui goes, Timu's squad spot must be firming up.

 

[Braveheart81]

Hard to see Rob Simmons staying in Australia unless he is happy to take a massive pay cut.

As an experienced Wallaby and dependable set piece technician he can earn a lot in Europe.

Here, it will be Super Rugby only and no one is going to pay him close to what he would have been earning for a number of years.

 

[Dctarget]

Hope they give him the proper send off he deserves. Capped 112 times and won a championship.

I'll always remember his majestic intercept against Argentina.

Go you good giraffe.

 

[Rebels3]

15/20 years ago he would of been a great lock, but in 2017 you need to be so much more than excellent at one thing and moderate at the rest. The game is so dynamic and professional now that teams will gain ascendancy against aspects of an oppositions game if they are merely at a moderate level.

Hope he can finish the last 2 games off tho and good luck to him. I'd say France most likely

 

[Ruggo]

All the best to Simmons and cheers for years of honest and loyal service to the Reds and Wallabies.

He has his critics for how he plays the game but it is hard to argue that he hasn't been a constant professional. Never been a dickhead in his career.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Only 6 players in the world have played more than Rob Simmons' 71 tests since his debut in July 2010. Pretty amazing. Bonus points if you can name the rest

 

[hammertimethere]

It's a big call and very very tough on Simmo (and unlikely to play well with his best mate James Slipper). I imagine the Tahs will have a crack at him (wouldn't that be a weird sight).

 

[Braveheart81]

Only 6 players in the world have played more than Rob Simmons' 71 tests since his debut in July 2010. Pretty amazing. Bonus points if you can name the rest

I'll go George North, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Sam Whitelock, Wyatt Crockett and Jamie Roberts.

 

[Slim 293]

The Tahs should sign Simmons and leave Staniforth alone...........

 

[Braveheart81]

It would be a huge call for Simmons to stay in Australia. He's probably looking at earning somewhere between a third and a half of what he could comfortably get in the UK or France.

As a Waratahs fan, I'd certainly sign him if the price was right. I'd sign Staniforth too. We need at least two locks.

 

[dru]

All the best big guy!

Simmons workrate has never truly been recognised at the Reds let alone with the WBS. Fabulous service. Now enjoy your time.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Not bad Braveheart! And it looks like my original list didn't include Lions games so there''s actually 8........
Slipper (83), Whitelock, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Franks, Read, Kepu, Jones, North

 

[SamoanNo8]

TOCC mentioned on page 6 that Douglas will now be the experienced lock to mentor the young second rowers. Why stick with Douglas over Simmons? Douglas has hardly appeared for the Reds in 2017. Simmons is far more experienced than Douglas in both international and domestic rugby - let alone a great servant to the Reds. Same age to - 28.

 

[Braveheart81]

TOCC mentioned on page 6 that Douglas will now be the experienced lock to mentor the young second rowers. Why stick with Douglas over Simmons? Douglas has hardly appeared for the Reds in 2017. Simmons is far more experienced than Douglas in both international and domestic rugby - let alone a great servant to the Reds. Same age to - 28.

Douglas is already contracted for next season.

 

[TOCC]

L.Tui and I.Rodda need to be locked in as the long term lock combination, Ive long been a strong supporter of Simmons and whilst he still has much to offer, he doesn't have long left to offer it.


Re-sign
Talakai
Hunt
Perese
Sanday
Paia'aua
Ngamanu
Hewat
Nabuli
Stewart
Magnay

Time to go:
Kuridrani
McIntyre
Feauai-Sautia
Maranta
Taefu
Gunn

Already gone:
H.Tui(signing with Sunwolves i believe)
C.Neville(needs to go for opportunity)

Jury is still out:
Kite
C.Timu
Sorovi
Vanzati
Simmons(do the begin succession planning now)?

Recruit
Assitant Coaches
Outside back x 2
Inside back x 1
Prop(LHP and THP)
Lock
Openside Flanker
Issak Fines- Leleiwasa

I made this post in April, and yes, I chose Douglas over Simmons purely because Douglas is already signed for 2018..

 

[The torpedo]

QRU Statement on Rob Simmons and Leroy Houston

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) confirms that Rob Simmons will not be re-signed with the St.George Queensland Reds for the 2018 Super Rugby season.
Reds Head Coach Nick Stiles said Simmons, who has played 112 Times for the Reds, has been an excellent servant to the state and the code in Queensland over the past nine years.
“These conversations are never easy, especially with players who have been with Queensland since they started and who have given their all for the State and the organisation,” Stiles said.
“However, we believe that the future lies with the players who started the game in Samoa last weekend and with other emerging second-row talent that has come through our under-20s program.
“The reality is that all Australian Super Rugby teams have to make decisions based on future priorities, as well as salary cap limitations. Rob will leave us at the end of the year with our best wishes and gratitude for the long service he has given Queensland.”
The QRU has also allowed loose forward Leroy Houston to be released from the second year of his Reds contract for personal reasons.
Nick Stiles said: “Leroy has been a great contributor to the squad this year and while he has had injury concerns to contend with through the middle part of the Super Rugby campaign, we agreed to his request for an early release on personal grounds.”

WHO ARE THESE SIMMONS AND HOUSTON PEOPLE? THEY ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE RED ARMY. OUR RECORDS INDICATE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN A PART OF THE RED ARMY COMRED.

 

[The torpedo]

In all seriousness though, I agree with the sentiment here - it was time for Simmons to move on but he has been a servant of the reds and deserves a good send-off

 

[Sully]

Just putting on aluminium foil hat here.

Simmons and Houston let go to free up cash for Will Genia.

 

[No4918]

Just putting on aluminium foil hat here.

Simmons and Houston let go to free up cash for Will Genia.

Four half-backs makes no sense. So you are probably right.

Not a fan of letting Simmons go. Probably just leave it at that.