By Darren Walton
November 17th 2009 @ 2:23am
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Reds youngster Morahan gets Wallabies call-up
Queensland teenager Luke Morahan will link up with the wounded Wallabies for the final fortnight of their grand slam tour after fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper suffered a minor quad strain in Australia’s 20-20 stalemate with Ireland.
With centres Berrick Barnes (ankle), Stirling Mortlock (calf) and Rob Horne (hamstring) all ruled out of the tour, Wallabies coach Robbie [...]
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Cattledog said | November 17th 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Now here’s a guy who can make a difference. Hope he gets a run against Cardiff.
Sandy B said | November 17th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Does this selection mean that Daniel Halangahu is the Stuart Clark of Australian rugby. I mean what does this guy have to do to make the next step. He dominated in Club Rugby this year – admittedly behind a strong pack. He kept Beale out of the Waratahs for much of the S14. He can play almost anywhere in the backline. Haven’t we got enough Reds in the Wallabies – um – where did they come in the S14?! Looks like Andrew Hilditch has infiltrated the Wallabies selection panel.
Well what would I know – I’m just a disgruntled old piggy.
Comrade Bear said | November 17th 2009 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
You’ll be seeing a lot more of Luke Morahan also – he is quality. But don’t blame him for his selection – he just happenned to get selected before he got chance to leave the Reds.
Daniel Halangahu is a good club player agreed – but that is all.
formeropenside said | November 17th 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Soon the wheel will turn and the Reds will be back in their rightful place at the pinnacle of Australian rugby, despite now having a ex-Tah Victorian as coach.
Klestical said | November 18th 2009 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
except that berrick left at perhaps the worst possible time. f*kin reds for letting this happen!!!
Cattledog said | November 18th 2009 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
Maybe, but every cloud has a silver lining. As I said before…watch this space!
Sandy B said | November 17th 2009 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
How could we know if he is never tried – surely this was the opportunity
Cattledog said | November 17th 2009 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
Is the ‘…before he got a chance to leave the Reds’ comment tounge in cheek or a statement of fact? You may be surprised to learn that a number of up and comers have knocked back more lucrative deals to remain with the Reds. There are numerous reasons to want to stay including a coach who has nurchered many of these blokes through schoolboy rugby and will make an impact in the not too distant future. And I agree with Formeropenside…watch this space!
Comrade Bear said | November 17th 2009 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
Tongue in cheek – yes.
I guess my head is saying “don’t get carried away” as every year – about this time – I start to get excited about the Reds and feel that they are *finally* are on their way up.
In the past this has lasted until about Round three
Though I cannot deny – I do feel that things are a little different this time around. Only time will tell I guess.
I also feel that Link et al will attract some quality players to the Reds – even with Melbourne starting up in 2011. Again I guess only time will tell.
Cattledog said | November 17th 2009 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
Comrade Bear, don’t lose heart. Look how QLD Schoolboys have faired against NSW in the last couple of years. There’s some exciting talent still to make their way through the bigger system…and the coach I was referring to wasn’t Link!
Give them a season or two…I think 2010 will still be development. However, the WC year could prove a watershed in QLD rugby.
Justin said | November 17th 2009 @ 8:04pm | Report comment
Hangas is a 5/8 not an outside back, pretty straight forward why he wasnt picked…
Sandy B said | November 18th 2009 @ 8:05am | Report comment
Has played a lot at 15 – last time I checked that was an outside back
bennalong said | November 17th 2009 @ 11:39pm | Report comment
Morahan is unlikely to make an appearance.
He’s there in case of injury. Ione’s shoulder looks “iffy” but he played on and is not under an injury cloud.
Greg Russell said | November 18th 2009 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
Does anyone know if Mortlock was replaced in the Wallaby squad, and if so then who it is? All last week (before Morahan was chosen), I kept seeing references to Australia’s “35-man squad”, implying that there was a Mortlock replacement on board. But even Google could not find me any information on a replacement.
Brett McKay said | November 18th 2009 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
Greg, my understanding is that Mortlock was only offically ruled out late last week, which then allowed Morahan to be called up. References to 35 would be counting Mortlock, who was to have joined the tour after the Ireland Test.