Australia’s 2007 World Cup scrum anchor Guy Shepherdson will aim to resurrect his flagging rugby career at Queensland in a move which bolsters the Reds’ front-row stocks.
Shepherdson has left the Brumbies, where he was this year displaced by rising Wallabies’ tighthead prop Salesi Ma’afu, for the Reds on a two-year deal at Ballymore.
The 28-year-old’s signing – one of four announced by Queensland on Wednesday – adds important experience and size to the Reds front-row after they were aggrieved to lose Laurie Weeks to the Melbourne Rebels.
The 187cm, 119kg prop has packed down in 18 Tests and 70 Super 14 matches but has failed to overcome the disappointment of the last World Cup campaign.
Shepherdson hasn’t been seen in Wallabies colours since the quarter-final loss to England in Marseille when he was completely outmuscled by man-of-the-match Andrew Sheridan.
However McKenzie believes the Indonesian-born Canberra product still has plenty to offer and can return to the international arena.
“I’ve looked at it pretty closely and I think there’s still a lot of potential there,” the 51-Test former Australian prop told AAP.
“I know he’s got the right attitude and he knows he’s got a lot of life left in him.
“We think there’s something there and what we get is a large amount of experience which you don’t get very easily, especially in the front-row.”
Shepherdson felt the offer to move north to Super rugby’s biggest improvers, who went from second last in 2009 to fifth this season, was too good to refuse.
“I’ve been at the Brumbies a long time and change is sometimes good,” he said.
“With that in mind, Queensland is the most attractive place to come to at the moment for a number of reasons.
“The talent they have is pretty exciting and I can see them having a lot of success in the next few years.
“All round, it’s a great opportunity for me.”
Although the Reds lost Weeks, Shepherdson will still have to compete with fellow World Cup prop Greg Holmes and Australian Barbarians selection James Slipper for the No.3 jersey.
Queensland have also locked in another ex-Brumbies forward, veteran lock Radike Samo, to a full contract after the 33-year-old made an impact in the final two rounds of 2010 as an injury replacement.
McKenzie upgraded back-rower Jake Schatz and centre Ben Tapuai from academy contracts to give them two-year deals.
The Reds had just nine players locked into deals beyond 2010 at the start of this year but have now signed a further 19 and are quietly confident of retaining off-contract Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper.
Reds signed on for 2011: Will Genia, James Horwill, Will Chambers, Ben Daley, Greg Holmes, Digby Ioane, Luke Morahan, Leroy Houston, Lei Tomiki, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Scott Higginbotham, Rob Simmons, Van Humphries, Kimami Sitauti, Dominic Shipperley, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, Rod Davies, Ben Lucas, Albert Anae, James Slipper, James Hanson, Peter Hynes, Radike Samo, Jake Schatz, Guy Shepherdson, Ben Tapuai.
Bob
Guest
Not at all. I'm just continually amazed by ballboys support for a coach who has completely under-performed during his time with the club.
Rockin Rod
Guest
Reds should sign Chris Alcock for a year from Tahs till the youngers ones get a year older. Tomiki swallowed a sheep and i am hearing they are trying to cut his contract
Red Rooster
Guest
Deans took Mafu on last years tour so it was unlikely he was not going to pick him as he would look silly for taking him last year - Human nature to do this Shepherdson only played in 4 games so not much of a platform to mount a Wallaby campaign - Only question is whether he has some improvement in him. BTW given Mafu's performance against the Crusaders he might be on borrow time. Beating up the Fijians won't prove much
Rockin Rod
Guest
Cooper will annouce where he is playing in 2011 next thursday
reds fan
Guest
yep. fully fit starting pack would be Daley, Faingaa, Shep, Horwill, Simmons/Van, Schatz, Higginbotham, Houston. Bench: Holmes/Slipper, Hanson, Simmons/Van, Quirk.
Mike G
Guest
Daley has moved ahead of Holmes 100% at loosehead. It'll be Daley, Saa & Shep, with Holmes on the bench I'd say is their best combo for 2011...Although Slipper could come into calculations as well. Seems to me that Link has really beefed up his forward depth with Shep, Samo & the very impressive young gun Schatz...Signing the older guys like Shep & Samo (& having Horwill, Humphries & a much improved Higginbotham) will help the Reds make up for losing Braid.
Matt
Guest
Geez Bob, you on the angry pills??
ballboy
Guest
Try and read the blog before firing off Bob. I did say mafu was in there due to other injuries. My point is not every prop in Australia is injuried. Mafu was given a chance this year, at Sheps exclusion, much to the disgust of many a blogger and yet has proved himself a solid performer.
Bob
Guest
Get a grip ballboy. the ONLY reason mafu is playing is because of injuries. otherwise, mafu may have been lucky to even be in the squad. keeping the brumbies front row together is a no brainer with all these injuries. You just go ahead and keep supporting friend and his excuses for 'just' missing the finals each year.
ballboy
Guest
Owen needed to go. Friend received a lot of criticisim for not playing Shep this year. Interesting to see that his selection choices have been supported by Deans as the Wallaby front row - albeit with a few injuries to other forwards.
Daniel J
Guest
Obviously has better cocaine than Owen
Matt
Guest
Speaking of ex- Brumbies, can you believe that Owen Finnegan has been replaced as assnt coach by Justin Harrison??!
Go_the_Wannabe's
Guest
Big Guy has always been tipped to do big things......he's just a work in progress is all. Do you think Lady Gaga is really a tranny? If so, it's a bloody good disguise don't you think?
Harry
Guest
I agree with tip top, Andy should be lucky to be there
reds fan
Guest
i know... i'm just stirrin'
Dingobob
Guest
I think the selection of several Brumbies has more to do with where the game against Fiji is being played then the RWC and the up coming tests.
tiptop
Guest
He seemed to have a very good season in 2008 and was probably harshly treated by Friend this year. Friend seemed to do the same thing to Nick Henderson last year and has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since leaving the ACT. Is Friend the coach many thought he would be? Id say Friend is on his last legs and probably lucky to be there!
Jason
Guest
Genia, Daley, Weekes, Davies & Higginbotham where all not available for selection due to injury. At least 3 of those (Genia, Daley & Higgers) probably would have made the match day 22. Hynes will get his chance soon as well. I don't think any QLD'r was that hard done by (and I'm a Queenslander). Robbie is clearly going to give most players a run in the tests v England, Ireland and Fiji and then pick the best team for the Tri-Nations (hopefully Robinson, TPN & Moore are back by then). One red I think is very unlucky not to be in the entire 40 man squad is Van the man Humfries. I think he was outstanding this year. He's also younger then Brad Thorn (ABs), Simon Shaw (England) who are both still doing the business as international locks. I think front row and locks are positions where it doesn't hurt to be the wrong side of 30.
reds fan
Guest
7 brumbies 7 force 5 tahs 3 reds hmmm....
reds fan
Guest
Gill needs to pack on a bit more bulk. he's only 18 after all.