Reds 2020

[upthereds#!]

Which I don’t love, played well last year. but, still has fitness and injury concerns

Yep. Lising Smith was not ideal. Fotuaika should be the 5th 'utility' prop at best, with nasser as the development THP with another youngster as a development LHP.

LHP. Smith, Hoopert
THP. Thor, ?
Utility- Fotuiaka

Development LHP. ?
Development THP. Nasser

That's how it should look IMO.

 

[Adam84]

Any unsigned THPs from other teams stand out during the NRC?

 

[Shaker]

Harry Wilson named NRC Rising Star. Looking forward to him starting at 8 for the Reds next season.

 

[upthereds#!]

The article said he would most likely get a Super Rugby cap in what is one of the best backrows depths in australia.

with LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) likely to play lock - I don't see how we do have one of the best backrow depths in Australia. We have a lot of hope in the future of the group yes, but I don't expect them to be dominating oppositions just yet..

 

[Ignoto]

Which Aussie team has better depth in 6 - 8 (including reserves) than the Reds?

 

[Silverado]

Which Aussie team has better depth in 6 - 8 (including reserves) than the Reds?

Hooper, Dempsey, Hanigan good starters and Swinton and Hollaway as back ups at the Tahs isn't bad

 

[upthereds#!]

Which Aussie team has better depth in 6 - 8 (including reserves) than the Reds?

Well who do we have.

reds - Not bad, but mainly u20 stars and limited experienced
6. ASY (Angus Scott-Young)/Wood
7. Wright/Mcreight
8. Wilson/Uru

Rebels - not bad either - proven to not be superstars, but experienced across the board, + incumbent wallaby
6. Cottrell, Leota
7. Wilkins, Hardwick
8. Naisarani, Wells
+ Killingworth

Tahs - all wallaby starters, with U20 stars as back up...seems very similar to Reds but Reds don't have Wallabies
6. Hanigan, Swinton
7. Hoops, Tizzano
8. Dempsey, Harris
+ Tafa

Brumbies - Bit more rebelesque. Industrious 7s, proven campaigners in Mccaffrey and Cusack plus a couple of Australias most damaging runners in Valetini and Samu
6. Mccaffrey, Cusack
7. Brown, Miller
8. Valetini, Samu

I think you could argue the Reds case for being the best, but for 2020 I'd suggest you could just as easily argue we could be the worst for quality and depth in the backrow group, based on experience, proven performances and wallaby status at least.

I think some of the Reds will be great - but just not yet.

 

[The Nomad]

Didn't realise Tizzano had signed with the Tahs, could be quite a wait before he gets a crack at 7.

What has Hooper got left on his contract ? 4 years?

 

[SouthernX]

If anyone is looking for a “as close to Pro-ready” front rower from either of the QLD NRC teams it would be Bronson Tauakipulu.

Has represented Samoa previously, has versatility in that he can play hooker and prop and pretty dominate at set piece time.

I’m not saying you walk him straight into reds squad but he’d be my choice to promote from qld into the wider trading group if someone else is getting promoted to the main squad to replace the departed Smith Twin.

 

[upthereds#!]

If anyone is looking for a “as close to Pro-ready” front rower from either of the QLD NRC teams it would be Bronson Tauakipulu.

Has represented Samoa previously, has versatility in that he can play hooker and prop and pretty dominate at set piece time.

I’m not saying you walk him straight into reds squad but he’d be my choice to promote from qld into the wider trading group if someone else is getting promoted to the main squad to replace the departed Smith Twin.

If he is capped for Samoa ( Reserve THP v Wales in Apia. Got the call up after Alo-emile was promoted to start after Census Johnston had to bail)

Think that means he's not eligible?

 

[SouthernX]

Oh yeah. That probably rules him out then.

 

[liquor box]

If he is capped for Samoa ( Reserve THP v Wales in Apia. Got the call up after Alo-emile was promoted to start after Census Johnston had to bail)

Think that means he's not eligible?

Didn't Tui play for the Reds after playing for Japan? I thought the rule was you cannot have too many overseas test players, not that you cant have any

 

[RugbyReg]

Rebels have signed Frank Lomani, but thats the Rebels. Rules don't apply to them.

Reds should focus on local talent

 

[TSR]

Generally I am happy with that approach Reg. But the space at THP seems to be a clear short coming in our roster. It’d be nice to see someone in there with a bit of experience.

 

[Adam84]

What happened with Fotuaikas injury, he hurt his finger in May and wasn’t seen again all season, QPR or NRC from what I remember. He looked promising when he did play though.

 

[PhilClinton]

He’s still around, I’ve seen him training with the Reds over the offseason.

 

[upthereds#!]

Didn't Tui play for the Reds after playing for Japan? I thought the rule was you cannot have too many overseas test players, not that you cant have any

There was an official exception for Japanese players . They wer elimited to 2 season. Tui got a 3rd because 1 he was injured for

We had Goromaru and Tui, Brumbies had Tatekawa who was regular until the WC, and Rebels had Horie then Mafi.

 

[upthereds#!]

Rebels have signed Frank Lomani, but thats the Rebels. Rules don't apply to them.

Reds should focus on local talent

Do we have many options for Local Talent at THP? It's still a professional Team and thus there are expectations to perform. If we can't find a decent THP here, then we need one from somewhere else.

 

[Finsbury Girl]

^ We've got Kibble as well

 

[Dark Shark]

^ We've got Kibble as well

Unfortunately Kibble is not even the best 7 at his own club and now is jammed between some exceptional open side flankers coming through in McReight and Will Roach.