dru
David Wilson (68)
Talakai is 31? Barely getting into his stride as a prop, surely. Life does not end at 30 guys.
Reds 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Talakai is 31? Barely getting into his stride as a prop, surely. Life does not end at 30 guys.
Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
Might be a few Welsh players looking for jobs soon.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
I agree, but in the same way a prop doesn't reach 'vintage' until later in their career, the idea that they are 'peaking' later is also a bit misleading in the modern era.
Lots of good props are being blooded far younger than they were before, as well as playing lots of junior rep games etc. Means more miles in the legs. Look at some of the best props going around here at the moment, Tupou, Bell and Pone are already dealing with significant injuries.
dru
David Wilson (68)
Mate, I hear you. But this started from a post where Talakai was being written off due to age. At 31. For a prop.
I'm not going to dive into Bell and Pone here, but Tupou? Have a look at his playing roster over the last two seasons. There is a reason that world rugby requires a back up entire front row on the bench. Hint, it's not about their career longevity.
Sam, Sam, just fucking go for it, youngster.
Ryan Smith to host the official Reds podcast:
Queensland Reds on Instagram: "Game week just got even better... Stay tuned at the end of the video to find out about Ryan Smith’s latest adventure @triplembrisbane #RedsFamily #WeStandforQueensland"
1,219 likes, 14 comments - redsrugby on February 21, 2023: "Game week just got even better... Stay tuned at the end of the video to find out about Ryan Smith’s latest adventure @triplembrisbane #RedsFamily #WeStandforQueensland".www.instagram.com
It’s very good. One for Reds fans for sure but other supporters might appreciate the insight. Some good stuff on the new coaches and structures. Smith is very good as a host and the co-host (Peter Fairbairn) is a great support host and doesn’t try to make it a pure PR machine like the guy on Eddie.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
Yep, ep 1's a pretty strong start. Excited to see where it goes.
upthereds#!
Peter Johnson (47)
Talakai is 31. Prop prime. Great bench man for any team.
Eloff and Talakai are under contract through 2024. Pone is available after 2023. They might have just forced him out, going from potential first choice THP and Wallaby hopefuly, to guarenteed 2nd fiddle, even if Eloff switches sides.
I dont hugely rate Thorn, but think he'd do well with Pone from a work ethic and play style perspective.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Isn’t Pete on these forums too?
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
There are grim locks across the board. For some reason our giraffes get pillaged overseas and they breakdown too easy back home. Too big for this world
Ras
Allen Oxlade (6)
Apparently Michael Wood - played a couple at he waratahs - was meant to be starting however is injured
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Wood is actually a late call up, was taken from Brothers training on Tuesday night I've heard.
He is injury cover the last I heard as there are some clouds over the two starters. Your info might be more current than mine but that's what I heard yesterday.
It will be interesting to see if he gets a Super Rugby crack this year. Brothers had been transitioning him to prop last season, but he cracked up big time after getting minced by a few grades props. He's still a massive lump of a bloke, not sure if he has the legs to play Super Rugby, but wait and see.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
At lock, backrow or prop? I know he was moved around a bit, probably to his detriment. Was great in the under 20s though, I'd love to see him find his feet again.
Ras
Allen Oxlade (6)
Not entirely sure to be honest but it was somewhere in the back 5 - likewise, loved his physicality