Reds 2019

[RugbyReg]

Will try to update squad lists but this is what I have very quickly from the top of my head. Let me know what needs updating and changing:

CONTRACTED:

Hookers:

Brandon Paenga-Amosa - 2019??
Efi Ma'afu - 2019
Alex Mafi - 2019

Props:

Feao Fotuaika - 2019
Harry Hoopert - 2019??
Ruan Smith - 2020
Taniela Tupou - 2020
JP Smith - 2020
Gavin Luka - 2019

Locks:

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto- 2020
Angus Blythe - 2020
Izack Rodda - 2020
Harry Hockings - 2020

Backrow:

Liam Wright - 2019
Scott Higginbotham - 2019
Angus Scott-Young - 2019
Adam Korczyk - 2019
Harry Wilson - 2020
Caleb Timu - 2019
Fraser McReight - 2020

Scrumhalf:

Tate McDermott - 2019??
James Tuttle - 2019

Moses Sorovi - 2020​

Flyhalf:

Teti Tela - 2019
Hamish Stewart - 2019
Matt McGahan - 2019

Centres:

Samu Kerevi - 2019
Jordan Petaia - 2022
Chris Feauai-Sautia - 2019
Duncan Paia'aua - 2019


Wings:

Filipo Daugunu - 2020
Will Eadie - 2019
Jock Campbell - 2020
Sefa Naivalu - 2019

Fullback:

Aidan Toua - 2019
Jack Hardy - 2020
Bryce Hegarty - 2019

Reds Development Squad:

Tom Kibble - 2019
Josh Nasser - 2019
Sean Farrell - 2019
Carter Gordon - 2019
Isaac Lucas - 2019
Michael Wood - 2019

DEPARTING:

Karmichael Hunt - Waratahs
Izaia Perese - Brisbane Broncos
Andrew Ready - GONE (Western Force)
Sef Faagase - GONE (Highlanders)
Kane Douglas - GONE (Bordeaux)
Reece Hewat - GONE
Michael Gunn - GONE
George Smith - GONE (Bristol)
Ben Lucas - GONE (Retired?)
Nick Frisby - GONE (Glasgow)
Jono Lance - GONE (Worcester Warriors)
Eto Nabuli - GONE (Bordeaux)
Lachlan Maranta - St George Dragons
James Slipper - Brumbies
Quade Cooper - Rebels

 

[neilc]

Last mention I can find of Kerevi's contract was when he re-signed in 2016 for 2 years which means he should be up for a new contract now. Last time the Rebels and Brumbies were both keen.

 

[TSR]

You missed Jordan Petaia Reg.

 

[TSR]

I try to remain optimistic, or at least keep posts mainly to the positive slant.

The above player list has the bones of a good squad. Not a championship squad, but a pretty handy one.

Over the last few weeks I have read numerous comments and articles, some claiming Thorn is on the right track and has broad support of the playing squad and plenty of others which say the exact opposite.

A couple of issues will be which players are off contract looking for upgrades and how many, if any, of Slipper, Hunt & Cooper find new homes over the off season.

That aside, if the Reds can successfully retain the majority or all of their best players then I assume that Thorn has broad support for what he is doing and we can reasonably expect to see progress next year. If not, then I take it that the rumours in here are based in solid foundations.

One thing I would like to know - is Tony McGahan’s Contract up?

Edit: although my last question should not suggest he is the root of all of our problems, but I have never understood the value in his appointment.

 

[lou75]

^^^ he isn't the root of the solution and neither is your captain - get rid of the both of them imho

 

[TSR]

??? Why in particular do you think we would be better off getting rid of Higgers?

 

[lou75]

he is a selfish player and doesn't communicate to his team , lacks leadership skills of team building, lacks commitment to the team and the team result and his loyalty is to himself only not the team (imho). He doesn't mentor younger players - they can sink or swim to him. The Reds could use a captain that instills a vision to the squad and trust and builds loyalty and team commitment to the end result. Surely with the junior squads you can do better

 

[TSR]

Genuinely interested Lou - do you know that personally or is it just your impression?

I don’t know him personally at all and have no insight other than what I see or read, but that certainly wasn’t the impression I got.

I can see in his play that he sometimes plays for himself, but by and large he seems to work well in unison. From what I have always read & heard he is liked and well regarded by peers. I was of the understanding that he was well regarded when at the Rebels.

I had heard he had issues with Cheika - but that could be as simple as professional ego - Cheika decided he couldn’t fill a role and Higgers felt slighted. Or if could be complete crap too. My source was a passing conversation with someone in Brisbane club rugby. In any case I am not sure that in itself, even if 100% true, is overly damning.

 

[lou75]

It is from my observations of him during the game and previously when he was in Melbourne. For example, Stirzaker was a great mentor for younger players, as was Tamati Ellison - but going against McGahan got them frozen out by McGahan. Higgers just looks after himself. And there's nothing wrong with that - but as a captain there is.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah, Higgers wouldn't be my skipper next year. In saying that we have such a scant knowledge of the squad for next year that it's hard to know who should be. Two of the leading candidates are probably Izack Rodda (21) and Liam Wright (20).

Perhaps Duncan Paia'aua if he can get his act in gear? James Tuttle would be a worthy candidate too but he will be challenged to secure a starting spot.

 

[neilc]

yeah, Higgers wouldn't be my skipper next year. In saying that we have such a scant knowledge of the squad for next year that it's hard to know who should be. Two of the leading candidates are probably Izack Rodda (21) and Liam Wright (20).

Perhaps Duncan Paia'aua if he can get his act in gear? James Tuttle would be a worthy candidate too but he will be challenged to secure a starting spot.

There's barely anyone in the squad you have above that has any captaincy experience. Kerevi perhaps, assuming he re-signs? I think he captained the side a couple of games. Rodda would certainly command a starting spot but does he have the capabilities to pull the team together if they need it? Very thin on experience from the names there at the moment.

 

[RugbyReg]

I throw Rodda there as he was on-field captain Friday night towards the end

 

[neilc]

I throw Rodda there as he was on-field captain Friday night towards the end

I didn't realise he became the captain in that match, I think you're right then, he would have to be in consideration as captain if they make a change.

 

[SouthernX]

Thanks for creating this thread Reg. The 2018 thread was starting to get very doom and gloom with gameday attendance numbers, incompetent front office management and inexperienced coaching setups. The likelihood of all those topics returning to this thread are probable but at the moment I can visit this thread and be excited for the future of my favourite super rugby team.

 

[dru]

I guess it is early days, but until we get further through the TBCs in Reg's list that is a very sketchy squad.

Hard to see much of a build-on from 2018 if the turnover is that high. Which in turn suggests a year much like this one - though hopefully the extra year's experience in the coaching crew being helpful.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I guess it is early days, but until we get further through the TBCs in Reg's list that is a very sketchy squad.

You're not wrong!
And only really Rodda and Kerevi - and maybe Timu at a stretch, would have RA topups which can often delay announcements.

 

[dru]

I'm guessing that the two NRC teams will feature plenty of talent from Premier.

 

[eldiablo]

I'm guessing that the two NRC teams will feature plenty of talent from Premier.

Here's hoping! Plenty on show this year.

 

[Brumby Runner]

You're not wrong!
And only really Rodda and Kerevi - and maybe Timu at a stretch, would have RA topups which can often delay announcements.

Not saying that any of those three shouldn't have a top up, Strewth, but in the past top ups were only offered to Wallabies with 2 years in the side - remember the cock up about the Wallaby Captain, Ben Mowen, not being offered a top up because he hadn't been in the squad the required 2 years. Has there been a change of eligibility? If not, then I don't think either of Rodda or Timu would yet be on a top up from the ARU.

 

[Up the Guts]

I reckon the Reds will have some of the most talented up and comers in Super Rugby next year, the only problem is they're all so damn young. I'd love to see an average age when the squad is finalised.