The Queensland Reds have re-signed young guns Curtis Browning and Chris Feauai-Sautia but have lost centre Ben Tapuai to the Western Force.
Tapuai, who has seven Test caps for the Wallabies, leaves Ballymore after seven seasons and 67 caps for the Reds.
He was restricted to just 10 Super Rugby appearances this year as he battled to overcome a pre-season hamstring tweak, but soon found himself behind the likes of Wallabies bolter Samu Kerevi and Karmichael Hunt in Queensland’s midfield pecking order.
Tapuai’s move to the Force could be the fresh start he needs to recapture his form that saw him become a crucial cog in Queensland’s Super Rugby championship team of 2011.
“It’s the nature of professional sport, but unfortunately Ben has suffered a few injuries and the good form of Samu kept him on the bench in 2015,” Reds coach Richard Graham said.
“We wish him well and are happy he has been given the opportunity to continue his Super Rugby career at the Force.”
Meanwhile, the Reds have retained Browning for one more season and Feauai-Sautia for a further two years.
Loose forward Browning, 21, was a bench regular for Queensland in 2015 but suffered a season-ending knee injury on tour in South Africa.
Feauai-Sautia, also 21, is coming off his most consistent Super Rugby campaign to date, having played in all bar one of Queensland’s games.
He sits in the top five for the team in run metres (715m), broken tackles (31), line breaks (13) and offloads (9).
“At 21 years of age, these guys are still just youngsters and their best Rugby is ahead of them,” Graham said.
“The more they play and the more they learn, the better they will be.”
Graham’s own future as coach is still to be determined, with the outcomes of the Queensland Rugby Union’s all-encompassing review of operations set to be handed down at some stage this month.
Not Bothered
Guest
I doubt any team would really want Godwin tbh.
Funk
Guest
He had a world class mouth, it was just his rugby skills that weren't.
Ken
Guest
He`s been a dud for 3 years....
jeznez
Roar Guru
Tommy unfortunately missed out on the world class discovery component. :(
Funk
Guest
No, that was just Tom Carter
Craig - Tamborine Mountain
Guest
I haven't got the call, but my answer will be in the form of a question: "When does Richard Graham leave?". I traveled up for every game this year (but one when I was rafting down the Goulburn River with a group of guys - definitely my Reds season highlight ;-) )and it was just depressing. To see them fall that far that fast under an incompetent and unapologetic buffoon is a.modern day rugby tragedy. I wasn't going to renew this year because if Graham's effort last year, but was talked into it by mates and the desire to see Quade, JOC, and KHunt play together. As it turns out we saw this ONCE all year and it was a very disappointing thing. Unless they are all selected in a Barbarians team or something it is something we will never see again either. So without any brightness to look forward to what is the point? Ditch the doofus and you will have my full support again.
Craig - Tamborine Mountain
Guest
It defies belief doesn't it?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Only to a small group. There would suddenly be a larger group complaining that he kicks puppies, is rude to his mum, is a horrible person in general and doesn't have any of the core skills to play his position.
Handles
Roar Guru
Godwin should go to the Tahs. He would be a "world class discovery" in no time at all.
Bakkies
Guest
I wouldn't be surprised to see Godwin go overseas for a while
Bakkies
Guest
I guess they have to cover all bases before letting people go.
Not Bothered
Guest
Good pick up for the Force. He and Godwin could form a quality centre pairing or Taps could keep Godwin out of the starting side if he returns to form.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Crusaders have snapped him up. With everyone that's left, it's going to be either Volavola or Richie Mo'ongu (just out of U20s) fighting it out for the Crusaders 10 shirt. Quite a stark contrast to last year. (Taylor, Slade, Carter)
linz22
Guest
why dont they take a chance and invest in Ben Volavola? he is just wasting away at the tahs and he always looked good when he got on to me.
Bfc
Guest
Curious that the 'review' at the Reds is taking so long...players are signing or leaving while the coaching situation remains uncertain at best. Surely this leaves any new coach with a bit of a poisoned chalice of sorts...there is little wrong with the squad per se, but surely any new coach should have a role in selecting his players? The QRU has 'put the cart before the horse...'...and I would suggest the fans are not happy.
Far north rugby fan
Guest
I think this is what the reds line up will look like in 2016 not too bad but I think they need to invest in a seasoned fly half if the want to be competitive 1. Slipper 2. Faiagaa 3. Holmes 4. Simmons 5. Kotze 6. Browning 7. Gill 8. Schatz 9. Frisby 10. Paia-Aua 11. Turner 12. Kerevi 13. Feauai-Sautia 14. Kurindrani 15. O'Connor 16. Ready 17. Faagaese 18. Talakai 19. O'Donoghue 20. Tui 21. (Insert Halfback) 22. McIntyre 23. Hunt
Handles
Roar Guru
I am waiting for my call! This will be my message to the Reds: We, the Brisbane & Queensland public, players, parents and Reds members give you: The best crowd support in Super Rugby. The greatest junior talent pool in the country, through Brisbane GPS and TAS school comps. Money through the ridiculous extortion that you impose on the Brisbane clubs. The best rugby stadium in the country (OK, I admit that you pay a little bit for that), and what do we get back? In-fighting. Poor coaching. Poor performance. A constant stream of good players off to other franchises. And this year, when you can't agree terms with one of our great players, you giv e him a kick on the way out just to make sure he never comes back. And many, many years in the bottom quarter of the table.
Ra
Guest
Great career move for Big Bird. Great pick up for the Hurricanes !!
AJ
Guest
The Reds were phoning members today. They asked some inane questions e.g were you happy with your seats? do you want to attend the gala? and the last question to both wife and I was, "will you be renewing?"
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Chiefs poached another Crusader to go with Nepo Laulala. Big Dom Bird coming north to partner Rettalick next season. Great career move if he wants to fight for a black jersey. Pita Ahki going to Canes.