Reds 2021

[PhilClinton]

Well, at least they don’t disappear to South Africa for a few weeks, travel load will at worst be a 3 hr flight to Perth

If you've got a way of getting to Perth from Brissy in 3hrs, let the mining companies know! You'll be a rich man. Youre looking at a minimum 5hrs in the air.

 

[liquor box]

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sp...in-centres-for-wallabies-20201113-p56egi.html

Vunivalu open to idea of ending up in centres for Wallabies

Despite starting on the wing in every one of his 111 matches for the Storm, Vunivalu is open to the idea of playing No.13, a position he occupied during his schooldays having grown up playing rugby union in New Zealand.
“At the moment I think I’m going to play wing but we’ll see what they decide,” Vunivalu said. “I played centre and wing. I’d love to try [outside-centre] but at the moment, learning the game [will be better] on the wing. Learn the game and then start making my way in.”

I assume he will be on the wing, no matter where he ends up, there will be some serious competition, lets hope it leads to better skills and performances, and not the loss of good players.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Reds already have Petaia and Paisami. He will be on the wing.

 

[dru]

Reds already have Petaia and Paisami. He will be on the wing.

Yep, and Stewart one of the best defensive 12’s going round. Pretty arrogant to be talking of displacing Petaia at this stage. I’m not liking it.

let’s see him in the 15 man game before he starts taking preferences.

out of interest, When IF came across he was thinking wing but Lotte spoke to him and suggested FB in order to settle in.

 

[Forcefield]

? I can't see anything other than that he'd like to try OC but will play where the team wants. I'd hardly call that arrogant.

 

[liquor box]

? I can't see anything other than that he'd like to try OC but will play where the team wants. I'd hardly call that arrogant.

and it is an honest answer, no different to recruiting a prop who has a goal to be a starting THP when we have Thor.

 

[sendit]

Mans allowed to have a preference and a opinion. He’s not demanding anything

 

[PhilClinton]

Jojo Fifita off to the Gold Coast Titans on a 3 year full squad deal, I believe he had a Reds training deal of some sort prior to this.

Report saying Rennie watched him playing his last game of schoolboy rugby, so sounds like he was highly regarded.

 

[Gillys_ghost]

His cousin is David Fifita so it makes sense. Still really sucks. To be fair he was an outside back/outside centre and we arent short on those.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Jojo Fifita off to the Gold Coast Titans on a 3 year full squad deal, I believe he had a Reds training deal of some sort prior to this.

Report saying Rennie watched him playing his last game of schoolboy rugby, so sounds like he was highly regarded.

Rennie had just moved to the Gold Coast and TSS were playing. More of a support the grassroots thing than an actually scouting outing.

 

[Adam84]

Jojo Fifita off to the Gold Coast Titans on a 3 year full squad deal, I believe he had a Reds training deal of some sort prior to this.

Report saying Rennie watched him playing his last game of schoolboy rugby, so sounds like he was highly regarded.

I believe he was on a contract for 2021, the covid pay cut ordeal may have opened the door for him to get out though.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Jojo Fifita off to the Gold Coast Titans on a 3 year full squad deal, I believe he had a Reds training deal of some sort prior to this.

Report saying Rennie watched him playing his last game of schoolboy rugby, so sounds like he was highly regarded.

That is a big loss. Jojo and Jack Howarth to league sucks big time. It’s confirmed that Mason Gordon (BBC) and David Vaihu (GT) are off to the Rebels next week. Are there any players worth mentioning that the Reds have signed from this year’s school leavers? We just lost the top 4.

 

[Cancelled Account]

I believe he was on a contract for 2021, the covid pay cut ordeal may have opened the door for him to get out though.

How can that happen?

 

[TSR]

That is a big loss. Jojo and Jack Howarth to league sucks big time. It’s confirmed that Mason Gordon (BBC) and David Vaihu (GT) are off to the Rebels next week. Are there any players worth mentioning that the Reds have signed from this year’s school leavers? We just lost the top 4.

Jack Howarth is league to his bone. He was never staying in rugby.

 

[Cancelled Account]

Jack Howarth is league to his bone. He was never staying in rugby.

Yeah you’re right but it would’ve been good to keep him in rugby. Has he ever played rugby for a QLD side?

 

[Adam84]

How can that happen?

All contracted players(minus wallabies) were asked to take a pay cut until Dec 20, if they refused they were free to break their contract. It’s how Lucas, Rodda and Hockings got out earlier this year when they did it the first time. That deal was for the duration of Super Rugby, non-wallabies were again asked to take a pay cut for the remainder of the year.

Pretty sure it’s also the reason Staniforth was able to break contract early as well.

 

[qwerty51]

Pretty sure it’s also the reason Staniforth was able to break contract early as well.

Maybe but I also think if both sides wanted to mutually end the contract that was acceptable given the cost cutting.

Reds already have Petaia and Paisami. He will be on the wing.

Am I the only one who thinks Petaia could thrive at fullback? Him injecting himself into the backline at pace is scary for the opposition. Think Christian Cullen who also played a bit of centre. There's no one really grabbing the #15 jersey either although I am selfishly looking at this from an Aus perspective. It might have gone ok last Test but I just don't see Petaia & Paisami thriving together.

 

[TSR]

Yeah you’re right but it would’ve been good to keep him in rugby. Has he ever played rugby for a QLD side?

I don’t think so. I thought he might have got picked at some stage but it clashed - but I could be wrong on that.

And you’re right - it would be and you never know. At least having gone to BBC & having connections to guys like Shane Drahm there is some connection there. He played rugby through his younger days too (although league was always first) but he did play so you never know.

 

[Drew]

I think Petaia could be a phenomenal fullback. Probably give him more freedom to attack and pop up anywhere on the field. Not sure how he kicks a ball, I doubt he’d be bad. Just have to learn the positional aspects and his decision making for there.

 

[TSR]

Maybe but I also think if both sides wanted to mutually end the contract that was acceptable given the cost cutting.



Am I the only one who thinks Petaia could thrive at fullback? Him injecting himself into the backline at pace is scary for the opposition. Think Christian Cullen who also played a bit of centre. There's no one really grabbing the #15 jersey either although I am selfishly looking at this from an Aus perspective. It might have gone ok last Test but I just don't see Petaia & Paisami thriving together.

I think the thing is Petaia would be good wherever. It is a matter of where he would be best and also where he fits with others around him. From a Reds point of view it may come down to a choice between Stewart & Campbell. The other consideration is if Grealy is considered to be a hot prospect at 15 do you play Petaia there with the knowledge you may have to move him again.

When it all comes down to it Petaia is the pick of the talent. I feel we should put him in his best spot and let him flourish there. IMO his best spot is 13.

With regards to Paisami, he is never going to be a top level distributor but he already shows he has more to his game then being a crash ball centre. I actually think he already has attributes I like in a 12.