Reds 2020

[Adam84]

Don’t get the hate either, he averaged more run meters a game then any other forward in the Reds team this year, and was the primary line out target all season. He has had to change positions into an unfamiliar role and has had to adjust his game to try and suit, I’m not surprised he has stuggled in some of the things expected of him at 6.

 

[Bobby Sands]

I'd rather he's in Red myself. Really not getting all the hate coming his way. Isn't all this depth a good thing to have? It's what championship sides are built on surely.

You are absolutely correct. From my end it is mostly facetious from the point of view of interstate posters suggesting "you can't keep them all." While this is correct, I would prefer that keep player QLD players when all other factors are relative, because they are the ones who care about the franchise.

If you read ASY (Angus Scott-Young)'s comments, and know anything about his father, they are died in the Wool Reds people.

One thing the Richmond Tigers talk about about is, what makes up the qualities of Richmond men? New players are indoctrinated in these values, and forced to be very vulnerable in front of the group to build trust and so they can build a really strong identity and 'one-ness.' Tom Lynch has completely changed his mantra and playing style to fit in with the Richmond structure for example.

Lukhan is a great player, but if push came to decisions over list management I would rather keep Hockings, Wilson, Wright, ASY (Angus Scott-Young) etc who are in competing positions. If we can hold them all and have an incredibly deep forward back then even better.

My biggest concern with him is how easily he is beaten in wider channels, and limited his linking and ball-carrying abilities are. Ie he runs very well in close which is very important, but has very little ability to create genuine breaks, dominate defensively in wider channels (poor side to side mobility), and the speed and ball-skills to support once a break is made.

In short he is a lock being forced to play as a 6 and it doesnt work at all for mine.

 

[Adam84]

Other point to consider is that guys like Rodda and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) are still only 22 years old, rest of them are 21 years old or younger. I think there needs a to managed expectations about some of the younger guys as well, for all the talent they have they still lack experience, the kind of inexperience that gets exploited at Super Rugby level. Adam Korczyk is the old man at 24 years old.

I think that explains some of the logic in recruiting someone like Michael Wells, he might struggle to start in that team but offers a mature/experienced head off the bench or during training g.

 

[Bobby Sands]

I think about this too, from the perspective of what would we do if Gill wanted to come home?

We would then have three players who beleive they deserve the 7 jersey and wouldn't want to lose either of the young ones, but at the same time Liam would add some much to the group (and be the starter) in terms of his gamecraft and maturity.

Undoubtedly the Reds need more older heads, which is why I am very happy about singings such as Speight as I think he will offer oddles off-field and on.

 

[Penguin]

You are absolutely correct. From my end it is mostly facetious from the point of view of interstate posters suggesting "you can't keep them all." While this is correct, I would prefer that keep player QLD players when all other factors are relative, because they are the ones who care about the franchise.

If you read ASY (Angus Scott-Young)'s comments, and know anything about his father, they are died in the Wool Reds people.


In short he is a lock being forced to play as a 6 and it doesnt work at all for mine.

Yeah, I think that might be the crux of the debate. He's definitely a better lock than 6 at this point. But I reckon he can become a complete 6 in short time. I certainly hold as much hope for Scott-Young. Of course I know all about his old man. Legend player and character. Those values they hold dear are also what Thorn is trying to instill onto his young charges, and appears to be succeeding. I don't see why Lukan wouldn't buy into the narrative?

 

[Bobby Sands]

Yeah, I think that might be the crux of the debate. He's definitely a better lock than 6 at this point. But I reckon he can become a complete 6 in short time. I certainly hold as much hope for Scott-Young. Of course I know all about his old man. Legend player and character. Those values they hold dear are also what Thorn is trying to instill onto his young charges, and appears to be succeeding. I don't see why Lukan wouldn't buy into the narrative?

He absolutely could and I imagine is.

But he is from Sydney, where I imagine all his family is and grew up playing league. I am not trying to shoo Lukhan, I think hes great. But at some point I imagine he might want to look to go home to be closer to his family, maybe he is a passionate NSWman? Maybe he seems himself as a QLDer? I have no idea.

All I know is he is in danger of being not our best 6 or second lock soon - so I hope he goes back to playing lock.

 

[TSR]

It will be interesting how it all pans out. Good problem to have as others have noted.

One thing that these longer signings suggests to me - surely it casts aside any suggestion that guys aren’t buying in to what Brad is selling. That may well change if the Reds don’t taste success soon (and I remain nervous about our depth in the backs), but the current group certainly seem to be on board with the regime.

 

[pnut]

He absolutely could and I imagine is.

But he is from Sydney, where I imagine all his family is and grew up playing league. I am not trying to shoo Lukhan, I think hes great. But at some point I imagine he might want to look to go home to be closer to his family, maybe he is a passionate NSWman? Maybe he seems himself as a QLDer? I have no idea.

All I know is he is in danger of being not our best 6 or second lock soon - so I hope he goes back to playing lock.

From NSW isn’t that the same for Wilson and Campbell??

 

[The Nomad]

Wilson may have been born south of the border , but he is a Qlder . Secondary school at Gregory Terrace , captained Qld 1 Schoolboys in 2017. He is Red .

 

[pnut]

Wilson may have been born south of the border , but he is a Qlder . Secondary school at Gregory Terrace , captained Qld 1 Schoolboys in 2017. He is Red .

So finished school in QLD. Gunnedah devils very proud of him. Good new South Welshman. Funny enough Campbell played in same comp for Inverell highlanders.

 

[Dctarget]

Holy fuck LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is only 22? I thought he was 26 at least. He's a baby starting no.6 for the Wallabies. Give the guy some time to grow, he'll be a champion. That's incredible. Same goes for Rodda. What an absolutely talented bunch of guys. Hold onto LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) please.

 

[Adam84]

Teamlist below based loosely off RugbyReg list on the previous page, age in brackets. You can see why they signed Speight and JOC (James O'Connor) in terms of experience in the backline. Its an incredibly young, although not too inexperienced forward pack.

1 Hoopert (20)
2 Mafi (22)
3 Tupou (23)
4 Rodda (22)
5 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (22)
6 Wright (21)
7 McReight (20)
8 Wilson (19)
9 McDermott (20)
10 Hegarty (26)
11 Speight (31)
12 O'Connor (29)
13 Petaia (19)
14 Daugunu (24)
15 Stewart (21)


16. R. Smith (29)
17. JP Smith (29)
18. BPA (23)
19. Hockings (21)
20. ASY (Angus Scott-Young) (21)
21. Sorovi (23)
22. Lucas (20)
23. Campbell (24)

 

[Dctarget]

Haha, that's great. Tupou is older than LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto). Oldest forward in fact. That's odd.

 

[Getwithme]

Yeah how crazy is Hegarty- only 26. Feels like he's been around for so long. Keep these rookies hungry, grind in Prems and then when they hit the golden spot throw em on off the bench for a season or two.

 

[emuarse]

Yeah how crazy is Hegarty- only 26. Feels like he's been around for so long. Keep these rookies hungry, grind in Prems and then when they hit the golden spot throw em on off the bench for a season or two.

Hegarty has improved as a player since joining the Reds.
He has been given more opportunity to play the full 80 minutes, whereas when he was with the Waratahs he was always behind Foley and Folau.
Mr Reliable.

 

[Adam84]

Angus Blyth has signed until 2023
Wilson Blyth his 18 year old brother has signed a 3 year development contract until 2022 as well.

i don’t know much about Wilson, but he has had some big reviews this year playing for TSS.

While these long term contracts aren’t without risk, I actually think it’s a smart tactic moving forward, break the cycle of short term contracts and avoid the contract battle with the European clubs. I’ve often bemoaned the fact Australian rugby never used to offer anything more then a 2 year contract.

In other news, Duncan Paia’aua has injured his archilles playing for Toulon, likely to miss a fair chunk of the season now.

 

[kiap]

So finished school in QLD. Gunnedah devils very proud of him. Good new South Welshman. Funny enough Campbell played in same comp for Inverell highlanders.

NSW = Newcastle Sydney Wollongong

Anywhere much outside that is Qld (N), Vic (S) or SA (W).

Also, the federal capital territory doesn't actually exist.

Canberra and central west are inland colonies that, together with the overseas territories of Norfolk island and New Zealand, are gazetted possessions of New South Wales.

 

[RugbyReg]

Angus Blyth has signed until 2023
Wilson Blyth his 18 year old brother has signed a 3 year development contract until 2022 as well.

i don’t know much about Wilson, but he has had some big reviews this year playing for TSS.

With Rodda and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) contracted only for next year at this stage, there's a changing of the guard afoot. Remembering both players were rumoured leaving at some stage this year. I actually expect Rodda to be the skipper next year so that might tie him down.

 

[Scoey]

Teamlist below based loosely off RugbyReg list on the previous page, age in brackets. You can see why they signed Speight and JOC (James O'Connor) in terms of experience in the backline. Its an incredibly young, although not too inexperienced forward pack.

1 Hoopert (20)
2 Mafi (22)
3 Tupou (23)
4 Rodda (22)
5 LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (22)
6 Wright (21)
7 McReight (20)
8 Wilson (19)
9 McDermott (20)
10 Hegarty (26)
11 Speight (31)
12 O'Connor (29)
13 Petaia (19)
14 Daugunu (24)
15 Stewart (21)


16. R. Smith (29)
17. JP Smith (29)
18. BPA (23)
19. Hockings (21)
20. ASY (Angus Scott-Young) (21)
21. Sorovi (23)
22. Lucas (20)
23. Campbell (24)

Could we be in a bit of trouble come Junior World Champs time? Half our squad could piss off to Italy! Kidding obviously but geez our "young" squad is getting younger, not older!

 

[Jets]

The great think Link did in 2011 was bring back old guys who played off the bench and lifted the young guys. Adam Wallace-Harrison is a perfect example.

I'm really liking the look of the squad for 2020 and beyond. I expect the starting team to evolve over next season and a lot of these young guys to demand a start through performances on the field.