Sidelined Wallabies speedster Lachie Turner has left the NSW Waratahs to sign with the Queensland Reds for the next two Super Rugby seasons.
The Reds have swooped on Turner to bolster their wing stocks after losing Digby Ioane to French club Stade Francais and Luke Morahan to the Western Force.
The 15-Test flyer is seen as one of the best finishers in the code but has been hampered by serious leg injuries in the past two seasons.
“Lachie is a very good addition for the Reds and provides balance to our squad list,” said Reds coach Richard Graham.
“At 26 years old, he has significant Super Rugby and international experience.
“He’ll add quality to our outside backs and his speed is clearly an asset.”
Turner played 71 Super Rugby matches for the Waratahs, scoring 25 tries.
“One of the big attractions in signing with the Reds was the role (Graham) saw for me in helping Queensland reach its goal of winning another Super Rugby title,” he said.
“With the talent that the Reds already have and the strength of rugby in Queensland, it’s not a matter of if this happens but when and it’s something I want to be part of.”
bigbaz
Guest
Love to see the reds sign Matty Bowen.
Red Kev
Guest
Turner adds some experience at fullback and allows the younger F'Sautia and Shipperley to play on the wings and leaves Lucas in his natural role as bench cover for 9, 10 and 15. With Tapuai and Fainga'a in the centres the Reds backline becomes solid rather than exciting as it has been in recent years.
Markus
Guest
To be fair I thought the Reds had done a pretty good job of fast-tracking their junior outside backs in the last couple of years - Morahan, Lance, F-Sautia, Toua. After losing two of the above plus Ioane, I think they needed a bit more experience in the squad, which Lachie should bring. I do wonder whether he still has his speed though. While it may have been due to not being fully recovered yet, he looked noticably down on pace this season for the Tahs.
Keeping it Real
Guest
Big fan of Turner, but surely the Reds could have punted on their development squad members - does not send a good message!!
thabo moyo
Guest
It is good to see him going to a side like the reds and i hope it is the corner his career needs to take. However, i am concerned. Aren't the reds famous for producing able talent from within their own setup?
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I'm a bit of a fan of Lauchie and I've long wanted him to set the world on fire for the Tahs, much the same way as Drew did. Sadly it wasn't to be. :( Now that he's off to Queensland for another chance (and good on him), I'm going to have to will them on, which goes against the grain. "We are Lauchie. We are Lauchie". ;)
Justin3
Guest
Good signing for the reds if he can be back to full fitness. They clearly lacked speed out wide which killed their ability to score tries and make the most of Coopers passing ability.