The Queensland Reds will trial NSW wing recruit Lachie Turner at fullback as they plan to boost their flagging attack with extra speed.
A surprise defector from the Waratahs after two injury-affected Super Rugby seasons, Turner made a fresh start as a Red on Tuesday at the first day of pre-season training.
The 15-Test Wallabies speedster revealed it was his desire to combine with the likes of Will Genia and Quade Cooper in a Test-laden backline that sparked his two-year deal.
“It was a big inspiration for me in coming up here, a big reason for it,” he said.
Turner said new coach Richard Graham’s expansive vision also “sold” him on the move after a torn hamstring and broken leg ruined his 2012 and ’13 seasons.
Kurtley Beale’s return to the Waratahs may have made it tougher to return to NSW’s back three.
But the 26-year-old knows he’ll have a tough job to earn and keep his Reds’ spot with Dom Shipperley and Chris Feauai-Sautia boasting wing Test caps and Rod Davies to return from a knee reconstruction.
However, Graham foreshadowed a possible move away from the sideline where he’s been viewed as France-bound Digby Ioane’s replacement.
“I’d like to see how he trains over the next three months,” the coach said.
“I see him playing 15 equally as well as he does on the wing.
“The Reds want to play an exciting brand and Lachie with his skill set – he’s a big man, he’s tall, he’s quick and loves being involved in the game – will really suit our game in that outside channel.”
Turner interchanged between fullback and wing in his first two seasons at the Waratahs in 2008-09 and is open to the move.
If he did beat the likes of Ben Lucas, Aidan Toua and Mike Harris to fullback, it would give them a super-pacey back three and also force Cooper to defend in the front line.
The mercurial five-eighth has muscled up at No.10 for the Wallabies in the past four Tests and Graham said he’s never harboured concerns about Cooper’s tackling.
A bigger worry for Reds fans has been the loss of their try-scoring potency from the 2011 title triumph, lighting up the code as competition entertainers.
Last season, they scored the fourth least tries of all teams with just 31 from 17 matches as stout defence saw them finish fifth.
Graham argued only slight changes were required, starting with better interplay between forwards and backs.
formeropenside
Guest
if there is one thing you can count on, its injuries. Lets just hope other teams are affected worse than the Reds.
Pete
Guest
I hope turner "turns" it around this year for the reds at fullback. We have been crying out for one since the mighty latham! I like taps and ant fiangaa in centers with CFS on the bench. Shippers and davies wingers. Frisbee is a good replacement for genia and lucas is a good replacement for cooper and can cover 15... sorry mike tough to fit you in without injuries...
Justin3
Guest
Correct...
Justin3
Guest
FOS - Lucas kills your attack at 15 he just has no pace. It was evident often that there was space wide that he couldnt get to or couldnt beat a defender despite having the advantage. He is a 10 and I agree with RK that both Cooper and Genia should be rested with Lucas and or Frisby getting runs when matches are over.
Red Kev
Guest
Which is why he should be at fullback not on the wing.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Maybe but Turner is a better all round player. Reads the game better, tackles better, kicks better, better hands etc.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Turner is a nearly man for mine. Hope he makes it.
formeropenside
Guest
Davies ahead of Turner for speed.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I'd really like the Reds to play Taps and CFS in the centres, though I do value AntF. He actually has pretty good hands too, he reads Quade. But Taps and CFS have the potential to be important cogs in the Wallaby squad. CFS and Kuridrani at 13 and Taps and Godwin (and CL perhaps) at 12. Perhaps they can rotate those three through the centres depending ont he opposition. I do think you need a rotation system in most positions in comp and intense as long as the S15 is becoming. And I do think that AntF is of great value off the bench - he brings fantastic energy to a team with his hard running and aggressive tackling when he comes on. Genia-Cooper-Taps-CFS with some go forward ball could really cut teams to shreds. And Ships and Turner on the wings for their outright speed.
Fryz
Guest
Fair point mate, I guess if there is an injury CFS might slot in there at some point. Shame Shipperley has dropped off a bit since his last stint as a Wallaby regular. He looked the goods a year or so ago. I travelled down from Brisbane for the Reds away leg against the Tahs the year before last. Let's hope Shippers "thief in the night" try at the death is not his last big moment in the spotlight.
Red Kev
Guest
I like Tapuai-Faingaa in the centres - Ant may not be an international standard centre or a great attacker but he is a great defender and organiser and the lynchpin of the Reds' suffocating defensive system in my opinion.
Fryz
Guest
Happy with Turner at the back and agree with you Red Kev re best uses for Harris and Lucas. One thing I am not convinced on is whether wing is the best position for CFS. You would think with his size and ability to bend the line that he might get more of a run in the centres.
Westie
Guest
Hope Turner regains full speed he had before. Horror injury run.
Red Kev
Guest
Lucas is traditionally a 10 though - sure he played 15 for the Reds (because of the Cooper switcheroo plan over the last few years) and has played no.9 (I assume due to his size and brain) but he's really a 10 - I say keep him as the back up playmaker and let Mike Harris be the utility back. Turner has good hands and a good kick, he's a solid fullback and unlike Harris (and Lucas) he can actually put on some speed on a kick return or join the line effectively in attack. I can see Shipperley losing his spot this year if CFS and Davies stay fit.
formeropenside
Guest
I'd keep Lucas at 15 for the defensive starch and safe hands at the back. With speed on the wings we dont need all of the back three to have jet shoes.
Red Kev
Guest
I agree, without Morahan they lack a boot at the back, Turner has that as well pace and a decent rugby brain. Unfortunate for Lucas is all, although him starting a couple of games ahead of Cooper is a good idea, as is resting Genia for Frisby every now and then.
Justin3
Guest
Be a good move by Graham. They lacked speed at 15 last year and that killed their width.