Coach Richard Graham appears to have dumped former Wallabies captain James Horwill for the Queensland Reds’ two-match tour to South Africa after he was sent off for the second time this season.
Horwill was an intriguing omission from Graham’s 27-man Reds squad named on Sunday for the trip to play the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday and the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein a week later.
Horwill copped a one-match suspension on Saturday after being red carded for striking Melbourne Rebels prop Paul Alo-Emile with a swinging arm in Friday night’s Super Rugby match in Melbourne.
The 20th minute sending off – which followed lock Horwill’s round one dismissal for a second yellow card against the Brumbies – proved costly as the 14-man Reds gave up a 12-3 lead to lose 23-15.
It was a self-inflicted problem the desperate Reds (one win, six losses) could ill afford.
No.8 Jake Schatz is out for a month after rupturing a tendon in his elbow.
And they have lost Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper for another two months – a major setback for his World Cup hopes – after he suffered a fractured scapula in only his second match after missing the start of the season.
It means Graham may again be forced to switch star recruit James O’Connor to five eighth.
The one piece of good news for Graham is that lock and lineout specialist Rob Simmons is available for the first time since suffering shoulder nerve damage in the Wallabies’ European tour.
He’s set to replace Horwill for the match against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
While Horwill would be available for the second tour match against the Cheetahs, Graham made no mention of calling him over in the Reds’ squad announcement statement.
His place in the squad went to Tom Murday, who made his Reds debut earlier this year, as one of four locks with Simmons, Marco Kotze and Dave McDuling.
A Reds spokesman denied the decision not to take Horwill when the team flew out on Sunday amounted to disciplinary action but Graham’s explanation did little to clarify the matter.
“With such a short turnaround between Friday’s game and our trip to Johannesburg, it was important to make quick decisions around who we need in the squad – so we could get straight into uninterrupted preparation for next week’s clash against the Bulls,” said Graham.
“For that reason, I thought it was important to bring in cover for James Horwill for at least the first week of the tour as we need a full compliment of players to select from.”
James Tuttle was picked as a five eighth back up following Cooper’s injury and fellow development squad player Adam Korcyzk replaced Schatz.
Joe King
Guest
Hey Lefty, you still alive? Haven't seen you for ages on the Roar. I think this was your last comment.
joseph
Roar Rookie
He is injured - knee. I believe he has his firs game back today for prems with sunnybank
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Yep. Have a good look at Potgeiter's tackle on Kuridrani that busted his shoulder - first contact was forearm to head, followed by flopping full bodyweight onto TK. Both illegal, but neither mentioned by the commentators. Cheika must feel conflicted about that piece of play. Did any journalist ask him what he thought of JP's tackle?
Terry Kidd
Guest
Good point pjm .... but can I ask if you can see a basic game plan ??
Cramtram
Guest
I believe he is injured.
Roberts
Guest
Was that sarcasm?? How about an apology from sexton for nearly ripping off Ben Lucas's ear when he stomped on his head? Graham initially stated that he wasn't going to blame Horwill for the loss against the rebels. Now he doesn't select him for the second game in Africa against the cheetahs... Sounds like punishment for losing the lions game to me... Another reason why he shouldn't coach the Reds anymore.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Lets not leave it all at Graham's door. Here are other people we can blame. Attack Coach: Steve Meehan Forwards Coach: Nick Stiles Both were at the Force prior to the Reds where they have been since 2014. Neither side has ever been exceptional. http://online.fliphtml5.com/xsol/pdhe/#p=81
pjm
Roar Rookie
Would you of rather'd we spear tackled your best player?
Terry Kidd
Guest
Regardless of all the red card hype and comment I would really like to see some sort of game plan from the Reds, 7 rounds gone and I still cannot fathom how they are trying to play the game. Injuries disrupt combinations, they do not disrupt a basic style of play, so no excuse there. I think the Reds players have a basic lack of confidence in their coach and they have not bought into, or are confused about, how the coach wants them to play.
Harry Jones
Expert
NOS's point--I think--is it's naive to think we're catching all of it. The ones who are "good at being bad" are not caught. The reckless are...
Shane D
Roar Rookie
NOS - got to say that I am not sure what your point is. If you are saying that Deysel was unlucky that a camera picked up him dropping a knee into a defenceless players head then I can't agree at all. He committed an act that can not be tolerated. Horwill acted recklessly, he is not a dirty player but as you state he got it wrong & what he did was worthy of a red card. Kaino has been YC'd this year for a reckless act as well. These guys are not dirty players per se but the game has changed & if TV replays are going to show a player getting hit in the head for all to see then it's better for the refs to act on that rather than appear to ignore it. Citing officers have been using TV replays for years to retrospectively issue red cards & suspend players so I believe it's better for acts of foul play to be pinged at the time. I can't agree that it's anal or PC to want foul play punished or for me to disagree with you having sympathy for players getting picked up by the TMO for such acts.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I'd really like to see Horwill, Genia and Cooper ( fitness ) regain there old form, this is imperative if the Wallas are to have any success this season. These guys played some really good rugby in stages in 2013. Genia and Horwill were excellent in the first two Lions games while Cooper had a very good NH Tour. We didn't see much of them last year. Let's hope for Oz Rugby sake they find form.
Bakkies
Guest
Eh? I didn't see the game. I only saw the Horwill incident on the highlights show.
Bakkies
Guest
The Rebels player couldn't see where he was coming from. A coward's shot.
Bakkies
Guest
Horwill is thick it was obvious as the ref stopped the game as he knew he had done something stupid. It was a matter of red or yellow. He played like this when he first come on to the scene.
Bakkies
Guest
He signed to play for the Tarts didn't he? He has too much potential to be wasting away in club Rugby. If he can't get a contract in Australia go overseas.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Huh? Even guys like Kaino or Messam who are clean 99% of the time make the odd high tackle or swinging arm. Wasn't Messam penalised for that when the AB lost to the boks last year? My point is it happens to everyone and the line between a late tackle, a swinging arm and a legit tackle isn't always clear. Its a matter of centimetres and tenths of a second. Horwill made a mistake, something that yes even an AB could have done. Stop being so anal and pc guys.
Combesy
Guest
Don't be silly lefty, RG would rather play a halfback at 10.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Huh? Players like Kaino etc show their toughness & aggression with good hard tackles & physical legal clean outs. Having to resort to dropping a knee, swinging an arm into a players head or shoulder charging isn't tough.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Personal life? The first one was a double yellow & the 2nd was a player trying to show his aggression to lift his team. Not sure how that has anything to do with his personal life.