The onus of expectation will be on the Reds in coming weeks as their opponents strategise on how they’re to be overcome.
Those expectations have soared for the punters in BrisVegas and the QRU are looking at their biggest crowd in years.
Crikey, even I’ve coughed up for season tickets this year!
How do you deal with this level of anticipation? I guess the best method is to meet it head on? Easier said than done but you’d think Link would be keeping their feet on the ground.
Last year they played instinctive, populist rugby with a playing group who had the wherewithal and ability to execute that style of game plan.
They actually revelled in it and you could see how much they enjoyed themselves.
You play to your strengths and I can’t really see too much changing this time around. They should have an increased level of maturity which will help them close out those tighter matches.
They’ve signed a couple of seasoned professionals in Guy Shepherdson and Adam Wallace-Harrison, and they’ll have a full season with a fit Radike Samo.
Is there life after Daniel Braid? Maybe? They’ve signed 18 year old Australian Schoolboy Liam Gill to a full contract and he’s certainly a player for the future.
I’m not sure that he’s physically ready for a full season at this level – remember how it took Bam Pocock a year or two to adapt?
That might leave Lei Tomiki as the favourite. He was recruited by Phil Mooney a few years back but didn’t really feature at all last year. There may have been fitness concerns.
He previously played good footy for Castres in the Top 14 and is the most experienced ‘fetcher’ they’ve got.
Former Waratah Beau Robinson and Junior Tah Ben Coridas have been signed to the Reds Academy to provide cover.
None of these guys is a Daniel Braid, whose experience will be missed most of all but hey, life goes on.
Another new boy is five eighth Mike Harris from NPC province North Harbour.
He’s a former NZ U20 player but with an Aussie great, great, great, great grandparent or whathaveyou. Local talent eh?
This signing is a little like taking out flood insurance, or maybe having a Wivenhoe Dam: mitigating any potential disasters. He’s the backup to QC, and who knows where he’ll be next year?
Harris can play at ‘2nd five eighth’ as well and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the two play-makers together at some stage. From seeing him on the telie he reminds me a little of Julian Huxley.
O.K. The big question is who’ll be starting in the second row? Buggered if I know and your guess is as good as mine. But now that there are plenty of No 6 options (Samo, Wallace-Harrison, Higgers, Quirk etc) it’s unlikely Big Kev will be shunted there.
Van or Simmo to partner Kev? Toss a coin. Personally I’d start with Van. He’s a leader, calls the lineouts and was at his abrasive best last season. If this year is to be his swansong I’d start him.
Simmo had a great year and is the future but like the props and loosies there’s plenty of depth to cover injuries and rotation.
However, they’re light-on a backup hooker to Saia Faingaa. James Hanson did well in the ARC a few years back but hasn’t really been sighted since.
Fat Albert is a prop who they’re trying to convert to hooker. The success rate for these conversions are about as commonplace as Cher’s skinfolds.
Daley and Slipper, the latter a revelation for the Wallabies, will probably have first dibs at prop. They’ve got Holmes and Shepherdson breathing down their necks with the former able to play both sides.
Word is they’re training the house down. Both will have plenty to prove after early but truncated Wallaby careers. They’re in their late 20’s so, according to some, should just be reaching their peak. It’s like Gen X v Gen Y?
There’s also depth at No 8. Options range from Leroy Houston, Higgers, Wallace-Harrison and Jake Schatz.
I suppose it’s about developing the best loose forward combination? Leroy has some runs on the board, is the most aggressive ball runner and when he spurns the Christmas pud he’s a top-notch footballer. The downside is sometimes his hands let him down.
There’s any number of contenders for fullback and Peter Hynes, Luke Morahan and Rocket Rod would all fit the bill.
I’m still concerned about Davies’ defence – which you’d hardly call rock solid, Morahan can be a little lazy at times (he was in club rugby last year) and Peter Hynes is international class when his chronic knee injury permits.
Davies and Morahan are exciting footballers with the world at their feet. However, if Hynes isn’t a week-by-week proposition he should be in the last line of defence.
Digby Ioane at full fitness is a wrecking ball. He should be arrested for carrying an offensive weapon, namely, his thighs! He’s the Black Swan version of a Mack truck. Motion in poetry….
I liked it when he was playing outside centre (closer to the action) but he’s probably at his best on the wing with a bit more space.
Besides, Will Chambers should have that position sown up despite last week’s furphy. I think this guy will understudy AAC at the RWC if he remains fit (sorry Horney but he’ll smoke you). Is he promising or what?
I’ll mention Tapuai, Toua, Lucas, Sitauti and Shipperley – there you go, just so you can’t say I missed someone? All backs?
And of course Sanchez, who had a great Super 14 but fell away internationally, maybe a touch of the ‘second season syndrome’.
Hiding QC in defence is not the answer. It’s a pathetic cop-out. This is rugby and tackling is one of the basic skills. Make him f*ckin’ tackle or dump him for someone who will.
This time last year we were bemoaning the fact that non-performers like Saia and Anthony Faingaa, Adam Byrnes and Rod Davies were wasting valuable Queensland spots. How wrong we were?
On balance, I think the gains the Reds have made in both cattle and experience certainly outweigh any losses from last year.
The doors have been well and truly secured. Now let’s just hold on to our hats and enjoy the ride….
