Reds v Tahs Trial

[spectator]

It's looking more and more likely that Quirk will be getting a run somewhere in that team. Unless he's on Sevens duties.

I think he's at 7's.

 

[RugbyReg]

Let's face it. Leroy is out injured. He'll struggle to make it back in the starting side as he won't be playing any footy.

Ezra will start there, but the youngsters will come through.

 

[fatprop]

Daniel Halangahu, not Berrick Barnes, gets first shot

* By Adrian Warren
* From: AAP
* January 19, 2010 12:00AM

The 25-year-old Sydney University pivot will vie with Kurtley Beale and prize recruit Berrick Barnes for the key inside back position once the Super 14 tournament starts next month.

"He (Halangahu) showed last year that not only his form with the Waratahs, but also in the Sydney club competition, that he's really matured as a player," Hickey said.

"He's got a good rugby mind, he stays composed, so we feel that he's the right person for this game."

Hickey will give his fringe squad members and young academy players the opportunities against the Reds.

He said Barnes, who only recently resumed full training following an ankle injury sustained on the Wallabies' spring tour last year, could now possibly play in the Waratahs' second trial against Fiji Warriors in Orange on January 30.

It was originally thought Barnes might only play their final trial against the Brumbies in Canberra on February 4.

Among the emerging players keen to impress on Saturday will be former Reds halfback Brendan McKibbin.

The Scottish born flanker turned No.9 is regarded by Hickey as a serious challenger to the Waratahs' other two halfbacks, Wallaby Luke Burgess and Josh Holmes, who has returned from the Brumbies.

"We've got three very good halfbacks to choose from. Brendan has performed well since he's come down here in November," Hickey said.

"All three will contest strongly, not only during the trial period but throughout the (Super 14) season."

McKibbin expected a ribbing from his former Reds teammates on Saturday.

"It's going to be interesting, but I'm not thinking about who they are, it's just another group of guys in a different jersey," McKibbin said.

He acknowledged he faced a challenge to take playing time off the more established Burgess and Holmes.

"They are two quality halfbacks and it's good to be around them, it's healthy competition and the more we can feed off each other at training, I think it's going to bring the best out of all three of us," McKibbin said.

 

[straightshooter]

why would van humphries and byrnes have a full game? surely they would want simmonds to soak up as many minutes as possible and save old man humphries from breaking down..

Simmons is injured.

First half team (some gaps): 1. Daley 2. Fainga'a 3. ?? 4. Van 5. Byrne 6. Schaatz 7. Tomiki 8. Taylor 9. Kingi 10. Lucas 11. Shipperley 12. Fainga'a 13. Turinui 14. Vaalu?? 15. Morahan.

Second half: 1. Slipper 2. Hansen 3. ??4. Van 5. Byrne 6. Higgers 7. Shaw 8. Schaatz 9. Kingi 10 Walsh 11. Connor 12 Tapuai 13. Chambers. 14. Davies 15. Toua.

Probably got one or two in the wrong position or team but in the main I understand that is what we will see.

Kennedy supposed to be 3 in First half team - whoa whoa

 

[cheezel]

These questions have probably been covered, so I'm sorry if they have.

Where has Tim Walsh been playing? He'd be pushing 30 now wouldn't he?

 

[Ash]

Walsh was at Randwick, I think. DRP Randwick, they are, stealing local Brissie lads...

Isn't Slipper a THP? And why no Holmes and Simmonds?

Interesting that Davies does not get a shot at FB in this trial.

 

[Ash]

Reds being rested (apart from Wallabies) include Braid, Hardman, Holmes (maybe), Weeks. Holmes is interesting, as he might be fighting for his spot with Daley. The other three appear to be all starters and perhaps Link won't be interested in seeing them till later trials.

Other Reds missing are Edwards, Luafutu, Simmons. Unless these guys get some game time in the later trials, they may be on the outer with Link?

 

[Lindommer]

Where has Tim Walsh been playing?

Randwick for 2009 (and 2008?). Prior to that Tim spent about five years in England with a couple of clubs just below Premiership level.

 

[straightshooter]

Walsh was at Randwick, I think. DRP Randwick, they are, stealing local Brissie lads...

Isn't Slipper a THP? And why no Holmes and Simmonds?

Interesting that Davies does not get a shot at FB in this trial.

Holmes reportedly has a couple of broken ribs and out for 3-4 weeks but has pushed through at training , Simmonds crook ankle but may be right and only find out after final medical
Slipper is THP but can play other side equally as well
Going to be very hot down there in Mexico

 

[chief]

From redsrugby.com.au

QR Reds to run squad of 30 in Lismore trial match


QR Reds loosehead Ben Daley named captain for NSW Waratahs trial (Sportography Image).
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
QR Reds prop Ben Daley will captain an extended 30 man squad in Queensland’s first hitout for 2010 against the NSW Waratahs in Lismore on Saturday (kickoff 6:40pm Queensland time/7:40pm local).

The squad contains 19 Reds contracted players, six QAS Reds Academy players and five players from the newly introduced Wider Training Squad (WTS), a group of elite Premier Rugby players who have been given the opportunity to train and play with the extended group during preseason.

Head coach Ewen McKenzie has selected two teams to play a half each, with four replacements set to cover both periods – hooker Heath Tessman, centre Michael Bond, and flyhalves Dallan Murphy and Jono Lance.

Four players have also been selected to start both halves: scrumhalf Richard Kingi - the newest member of the contracted Reds squad - Academy backrower Jake Schatz, and experienced locks Adam Byrnes and Van Humphries.

Loosehead prop Daley, who made his Investec Bank Super 14 debut for the Reds in 2008 against the Crusaders, stepped up a level last year when he started in six matches after former Wallaby Greg Holmes suffered shoulder and neck problems.

He now gets first crack at the number one jersey in 2010 with Holmes joining 11 other contracted players on the sideline.

McKenzie said the 21-year-old law student was rewarded with the captaincy after buying into a new culture being developed in the offseason.

“We’ve identified some attributes that we think are important and he has done a pretty good job in the offseason encapsulating that, so we thought we would give him an opportunity to lead the team into battle,” McKenzie said.

“It’s a reward for a good offseason. You have to recognise people giving you what you ask them to give you, and he has done a good job. We think he might be able to lead by example on the day.”

Daley, who was vice-captain of the Australian Under 19 side in 2007 and captain of the All Saints Anglican School 1st XV rugby side, said it was an honour to captain Queensland.

“It is a great honour captaining your side no matter what game it is. It’s something you grow up wanting to do as a young footy player,” Daley said.

“I’m a guy who is a little bit quieter than most of the captains I’ve had. I like to use actions to show my leadership qualities, so I’ll be looking to the older guys and the more experienced blokes to bring more of a talking aspect to the game."

In the first half Daley will join Saia Fainga'a and Jack Kennedy in the front-row, with new European recruit Lei Tomiki rounding out the forward pack with Schatz and Scott Higginbotham, and locks Byrnes and Humphries.

The talented Ben Lucas has been named as vice-captain and flyhalf, with Reds contracted players Kingi, centres Anthony Fainga'a and Morgan Turinui, wing Brando Va’aulu and fullback Luke Morahan in the backline. Academy prospect Dom Shipperley is on the other wing.

In the second period new rugby league recruit Will Chambers will get his first taste of professional rugby at outside centre. He will join Reds Kingi, Blair Connor and Rod Davies, Academy players Ben Tapuai and Aidan Toua. WTS member Tim Walsh, who has been playing overseas and interstate after earning four caps for the Reds back in 2004, has been named at flyhalf for the second half.

In the forwards Byrnes, Humphries and Schatz are selected alongside props Slipper and Laurie Weeks, hooker James Hanson, and backrowers Ezra Taylor and Andrew Shaw.

McKenzie said he looked forward to seeing how the squad would perform in a real game environment.

“We’re very interested in all the guys. They’ve all done good things in the offseason, so it will be interesting to see how they go under game pressure,” he said.

“Opportunities come sometimes frequently, sometimes not very often. You’ve got to make sure you capitalise. But ultimately it is about combining as a group and wanting to get the job done.

“Clearly there are 10 or 11 guys not playing for whatever reason, but that’s not an excuse. This is about 30 guys getting the opportunity to play and showing us where they’re at.”

QR Reds v NSW Waratahs (first game)

1. Ben Daley (c) (QR Reds)
2. Saia Fainga'a (QR Reds)
3. Jack Kennedy (QR Reds)
4. Adam Byrnes (QR Reds)
5. Van Humphries (QR Reds)
6. Jake Schatz (QAS Reds Academy)
7. Lei Tomiki (QR Reds)
8. Scott Higginbotham (QR Reds)
9. Richard Kingi (QR Reds)
10. Ben Lucas (vc) (QR Reds)
11. Dominic Shipperley (QAS Reds Academy)
12. Anthony Fainga'a (QR Reds)
13. Morgan Turinui (QR Reds)
14. Brando Va’aulu (QR Reds)
15. Luke Morahan (QR Reds)

QR Reds v NSW Waratahs (second game)

1. James Slipper (QAS Reds Academy)
2. James Hanson (QR Reds)
3. Laurie Weeks (QR Reds)
4. Adam Byrnes (QR Reds)
5. Van Humphries (QR Reds)
6. Ezra Taylor (QR Reds)
7. Andrew Shaw (QAS Reds Academy)
8. Jake Schatz (QAS Reds Academy)
9. Richard Kingi (QR Reds)
10. Tim Walsh (Wider Training Squad)
11. Blair Connor (QR Reds)
12. Ben Tapuai (QAS Reds Academy)
13. Will Chambers (QR Reds)
14. Rod Davies (QR Reds)
15. Aidan Toua (QAS Reds Academy)

Reserves

16. Heath Tessman (Wider Training Squad)
17. Dallan Murphy (Wider Training Squad)
18. Jono Lance (Wider Training Squad)
19. Michael Bond (Wider Training Squad)




Back

 

[TOCC]

Ben Daley at Captain is very interesting, especially when you consider the likes of Humphries, Higginbotham, Lucas and Turinui

 

[straightshooter]

TOCC
agree but obviously "they" see him as a young bloke with a long term committment to QLD and giving now him a taste of captaincy. Think he is only 22 and a budding legal eagle (lawyer - for all you leaguies) Always thought he may be a little reserved for the role but I wish him luck and hope the older blokes support him appropriately.

 

[TOCC]

TOCC
agree but obviously "they" see him as a young bloke with a long term committment to QLD and giving now him a taste of captaincy. Think he is only 22 and a budding legal eagle (lawyer - for all you leaguies) Always thought he may be a little reserved for the role but I wish him luck and hope the older blokes support him appropriately.

Yeah well i cant fault the quieter guys, im a bit of a gob out of rugby, but i keep pretty quiet when playing and training, i was made captain of one of my teams and the coach said he wanted me to talk more on the field, but i just kept it basic and tried to lead by example

 

[straightshooter]

true - think one of the best captains ever was Sean Fitzpatrick - that is that he influenced the game (and the ref) for HIS team. Maybe a good thread

 

[spectator]

If I remember correctly Daley was given the award for best trainer/team man by both players and coaches during an off season camp. Obviously the right attitude, and justly rewarded.

Good for him..

 

[tranquility]

as for his law degree - he is studying at bond. ha ha

 

[Newb]

certainly some impressive up-and-comer names in that squad. i liked what i've seen of daley so far, so good on him. hopefully we see more improvement from him. even if he is at bond.... :tard

i also wonder if higgers at 8 and ezra at 6 will be a focus this year or if it's just an experiment for the trial. IIRC, higgs was at blindside mostly last year. some practice at the back of the scrum wouldn't hurt him -- aus can always use more quality 8's as backups to palu.

also hoping his D beefs up a bit this year.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

as for his law degree - he is studying at bond. ha ha

and the significance of that is???????????

 

[James Buchanan]

and the significance of that is???????????

While not particularly aware of the QLD university status, I suspect its looking down at the private university, and those who get in.

For what its worth, last time I checked out the quality of various Law faculties Australiawide, Bond's was pretty well rated. Seems that money can buy good professors

Also, it may be one thing to get into Bond, but any Law degree takes some sort of nous to get through, so if he does, he's a bright cookie.

 

[TOCC]

Let's face it. Leroy is out injured. He'll struggle to make it back in the starting side as he won't be playing any footy.

Ezra will start there, but the youngsters will come through.

There was a artcile the other day and it specifically mentioned Houston, Link said Leroy actually did the injury doing some extra training(basketball)