Reds 2023

[Wallaby Man]

Thanks Wallaby , that was question I had, do you as a member think having 2 less games at Suncorp will effect the number who will take up membership. will QRU drop price of memberships to make up for less games?

I haven’t thrown the roll call out to mates for memberships, but I suspect the reduced games will be seen as an opportunity for some of my friends to disengage and move to a casual supporter. Within my friends saving $50-100 bucks wouldn’t be a factor on buying or not, but perhaps for others with tighter financial constraints it might, although I suspect people financially driven aren’t membership targets anyway as they would struggle for upfront costs.

I encourage the taking of games to other places, but the lack of content makes it harder to keep everyone happy. Hence why I think somehow getting to 10 games, you’d be able to move 2/3 games and still make it a solid offering. (Perhaps getting that SRAU after the Super Rugby season up and running will help?).

If too many of my mates opt out, there will be risk of me opting out as well as going to the rugby is more about the beers and to be brutally honest time away from the family haha. Id have no interest in going if there was risk of been by myself, if it got to the point then id opt out myself and potentially miss games. Happy to watch on tv if no social element.

 

[Marce]

How many games in Townsville have Reds played so far? I remember this one:

 

[Dan54]

I haven’t thrown the roll call out to mates for memberships, but I suspect the reduced games will be seen as an opportunity for some of my friends to disengage and move to a casual supporter. Within my friends saving $50-100 bucks wouldn’t be a factor on buying or not, but perhaps for others with tighter financial constraints it might, although I suspect people financially driven aren’t membership targets anyway as they would struggle for upfront costs.

I encourage the taking of games to other places, but the lack of content makes it harder to keep everyone happy. Hence why I think somehow getting to 10 games, you’d be able to move 2/3 games and still make it a solid offering. (Perhaps getting that SRAU after the Super Rugby season up and running will help?).

If too many of my mates opt out, there will be risk of me opting out as well as going to the rugby is more about the beers and to be brutally honest time away from the family haha. Id have no interest in going if there was risk of been by myself, if it got to the point then id opt out myself and potentially miss games. Happy to watch on tv if no social element.

I will admit, perhaps me not being there also is something that is a small part of mates decision, he was a member well before we met, but the last few years him and I attended a f***en lot of rugby together. We weren't big drinkers, but enjoyed a beer before game, and enjoyed discussing game as it played out (think that's why I dislike loud music in breaks at rugby). So all adds up I suppose.

 

[Dan54]

How many games in Townsville have Reds played so far? I remember this one:

Well I went to a Reds/Highlander's game there.

 

[RugbyReg]

Thanks Wallaby , that was question I had, do you as a member think having 2 less games at Suncorp will effect the number who will take up membership. will QRU drop price of memberships to make up for less games?

there wasn't an option. Stadium was booked. I prefer Townsville than Gold Coast.

 

[PhilClinton]

Topical from the last few pages of discussion, I caught up with some mates over the weekend who live in country QLD. All are involved across various clubs who play in the Downs Rugby comp. A number of them have helped facilitate some of the QPR tours out there over the last few years.

Essentially their notes were, lots of passionate clubs, players and supporters in that competition, but they're feeling a real disengagement with the QRU and Reds as a team representative of our state (for example on a 'boys weekend' or bucks party into town, most of the players would rather travel to Brisbane or the Gold Coast and watch an NRL game than see the Reds).

These guys really love their rugby and it's a really strong community out there, but the competition is pretty diverse geographically, so they're putting in a fair number of hours driving each weekend to even play games. Not having a professional team which they feel strongly about will hurt them in the long term because it really is an effort for them to keep the comp going as it is.

 

[RugbyReg]

So, who do people think is our strongest 23 for next year assuming all are fit minus Taniela?

Lots of options at hooker, uncertainty in the front row, who are the best candidates at lock and in the backrow, and how do the centres line up (which may influence the back 3)?

 

[RugbyReg]

Relying a little on last year's form I think Zongorr and Hoopert were really playing well and deserve to start.

Sef Fa'agase grabs a bench spot which really only leaves us with Zander as the other option.

Hooker I think we have three really good options. Again relying in last year, I think Nasser was excellent and if he can get back to fitness, he'd be my starter with probably Faessler just ahead of Asiata on the bench.

Lock is tough. Jones is an unknown quantity so who knows how he'll perform. Personally, with Tupou out I think we need Uru to start and I can't fit him in my backrow so he's at lock for now. That means its either Blythe (Angus) or Smith. Really tough and I'd probably just lean towards Blyth. Smith is on the bench in that scenario for me.

Backrow I think is pretty straight forward? Wilson at 8 and McReight at 7, and I'd still with Wright at 6. I think, if back in form, he brings so much to this team. I'd be backing Tauakipulu as then bench option for a point of difference, but it could be Jones or Vest I guess. Anderson covers all three spots too I guess.

Tate starts with Kalani proving to be the solid replacement option.

JOC (James O'Connor) is the 10 if fit.

Centres is a real puzzle too. Is Paisami best at 12 or 13? Is JOC (James O'Connor) going to kick? If not does that mean Henry's case is strengthened? Will Petaia stick out wide? I really want Flook at 13 so am going with him and Hunter at 12, with Henry on the bench.

Back three is Jock at fullback with Petaia and Vunivalu on the wings. Leaving Daugunu on the bench.

Clearly we will never have our best 23 to choose from (even disregarding Thor) but this is who I'd like to see.


15 Jock Campbell
14 Jordan Petaia
13 Josh Flook
12 Hunter Paisami
11 Suliasi Vunivalu
10 James O'Connor
9 Tate McDermott
8 Harry Wilson
7 Fraser McReight
6 Liam Wright
5 Angus Blyth
4 Seru Uru
3 Zane Nonggorr
2 Josh Nasser
1 Harry Hoopert

16 Matt Faessler
17 Dane Zander
18 Sef Fa'agase
19 Ryan Smith
20 Keynan Tauakipulu
21 Kalani Thomas
22 Isaac Henry
23 Filipo Daugunu

 

[Mug Punter]

Hoopert did his ACL on Aus A tour - won't be playing super rugby next year

 

[Wilson]

Is Hoopert going to be fit at all? My understanding was he was ruled out for pretty much the whole season.

As far as the rest goes I think that's pretty close, though I think Jones will definitely be in our strongest 23. They might look at him as a backrow reserve if they really want to get Uru at lock, but I think he's a pretty good chance to take over the lineout calling given ASY (Angus Scott-Young) was handling a lot of it previously. For mine I think it'd be:

4 Jones
5 Smith
6 Uru
7 McReight
8 Wilson

19 Blyth
20 Wright

There's not a lot in it amongst the group of locks and back row players though, so it will probably come down to fitness and whether or not Wilson and McReight have any wallaby mandated rest.

 

[Ignoto]

Only change I'd make Reg is Asiata over Nasser. I thought Richie brought a better ball carrying game that Nasser did and with Taniela out, I'd be thinking we need more carriers than doers.

 

[Mug Punter]

Prop stocks look an enormous worry allowing for injuries throughout the season

 

[PhilClinton]

I like your team Reg, but similar to others, I'd be surprised if Jones wasn't in the 23.

Isn't he supposed to be our big signing for 2023?

Also agree that Uru needs to start, I don't care where. Maybe Thorn will get him onto the pies and we'll pack him down in the front row. He was the only Reds player who looked like a man against boys in the QPR final. I really hope he keeps building that confidence and skill set.

 

[dru]

Id be tempted to start Uru at 6. Still yes, we have plenty of names to fit in the loose forwards. Front row is a huge issue and we are kind of stuffed if it doesn't work well.

I'm happy to see Blythe in the 23 but also would be happy to see him pick up the effort and effectiveness.

Not sure what to think about JOC (James O'Connor). Maybe the butt kick he got from Rennie has him really putting in, but this year we really need to see the new talent showing themselves.

Petaia is interesting - is he still bucking for fullback?

 

[dillyboy]

If you are a diehard supporter a flight to Townsville is nothing. If I lived in Brisbane I'd do it. How much is a fly to Townsville? All the backpackers I know traveled to the whole country with low cost flights

Since Covid cheap flights are a thing of the past......

Just had a quick look on webjet (yes I know it's cheaper to book direct but is handy for comparison purposes) and if you book the late Feb game today and fly at a reasonable time (not 6am) it's just over $400 return in flights.

Add in a hotel at likely $200 plus (as decent cheap rooms are also hard to find these days) food & booze and it wouldn't be hard to see it being a $800+ weekend away to see the Rugby

As much as I love seeing the Reds, that's a decent chunk out of the holiday fund & time spent with the kids....

I think I'll be treating the Townsville games same as an away round and just have the boys over for some beers & the game on the projector by the pool

 

[qwerty51]

Reds should have the weakest pack of all the Aussie sides.

 

[SouthernX]

Reds should have the weakest pack of all the Aussie sides.

they will still beat the warratahs.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

If you are a diehard supporter a flight to Townsville is nothing. If I lived in Brisbane I'd do it. How much is a fly to Townsville? All the backpackers I know traveled to the whole country with low cost flights

$700 return (I'm doing it on Wednesday)

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Thanks Wallaby , that was question I had, do you as a member think having 2 less games at Suncorp will effect the number who will take up membership. will QRU drop price of memberships to make up for less games?

Yes they did. I'm a member.

 

[Adam84]

sneak peak of new jersey due to be released Thursday