Reds sign Japanese World Cup hero for 2016 season

Not a Reds fan, but please God, for the love of rugby, don't let Richard Graham ruin this fantastic player.

Prop, Lock, Backrow, 9, 10, Centre, Wing...

Please not Fly Half, he is not a good passer. He will likely play outside centre like last year.

Interesting news. Qld / Reds are now overflowing with props, locks, backrowers, os backs, centres. Halves performance is going to be a interesting Along with THE COACH! Come on Richard Graham. You can do it!!!! OR ELSE ;)

I think Neville could make a real go of 6. I'm hoping he and Jones in Melbourne play their footy there.

It was so much fun watching the Reds with Quade, Genia, Digby and Rod Davies - they really entertained the crowds. I still reckon the Reds should be continually contacting Hayne in case he decides he needs to leave the NFL and become a world famous rugby star (which he would in no time - much more value than Folau)

Gary, Well said. I think we should always be promoting our local talent, particualrly in key roles such as 10. I also hope that Junior Laloifi gets game time but I think he needs to work on his defence.

I have to say it is laughable the opinion that McIntyre and Green are not ready to play Super Rugby. When does anyone think they might be ready when they are 32 or some thing like that. If a bloke is ready he is ready and both have shown that they are capable players right now. They'll never learn if they never get the opportunity. You only have to go back to Cooper who in one game when he first started dropped the ball cold at fly half 6 times and the selectors stuck with him and he turned out to be quite a player. And IMO I have been watching Hunt at NRC level and to be honest he doesn't fill me with awe in any way. He does what he is supposed to do to a degree but he is no star. I'm sick of the Reds performances over the last couple of years, the inept coaching and the ridiculous selections that RG has come up with. I much prefer to watch the Rebels at least they have some game plan that they work to and are coached very well, I might add by a bloke that was born in Warwick Qld.

If he keeps the mullet and beard, Sunwolf would be a good nickname for Quirk.

There was a not often discussed agreement where Japanese players would not be considered marquee players for Australian Super Rugby franchises, to help promote inclusion of Japanese players in Super Rugby structures. The Rebels had Shota Horie in their squad previously and the Brumbies had Harumichi Tatekawa. I am unsure whether this exemption continues now that the Sunwolves are joining Super Rugby, but if so it would explain the Reds being able to include both Tui and Goromaru, as well as the ongoing talk of using their one marquee spot to find an international flyhalf.

Agree John, The REDS this year lacked punch in the midfield and go forward from our back row..TUI 113KG 190 CM and LOLO 115KG 192 CM are bigger abrasive and harder runners than CB AND JK ..I like the 11 to 15 combo . Ex NRL player Nabuli is 6 '6, so you`d think cross field bombs is a no brainer as an attacking option..JJ and Kurindrani have average hands ( not as bad as Leroy houston) but they still need work.

Might be silly but do you think Spindle has either Simmons or Cayden N in mind at 6???

I heard Goromaru has a 85% kicking effieciency..

Yeah don't you love the Reds right now. A little while ago they announced a search for their new fly half. Now they announce signing a full back.

Richard , knowing better than everybody else, will decide that Ayumu is really a halfback and play him there with Frisbee at 10 again. Hilarious that the Reds keep texting me to renew or else I will lose my seat! Shows how stupid they think we are. They can give my seats to Pig headed McCall and his board.

What a great signing, reds very fortunate indeed

About right. Kuridrani the red could come into consideration but he needs to improve his handling, same with JJ. Anyway lets see what Supercoach Graham does with them ... Go the reds.

Well he's a good player but as a Reds supporter I share the disquiet. The Reds have a pressing need for a quality flyhalf above all else and unless this guy can play there can't see it working. Hunt had a great NRC and personally I'd like to see him start there. As posters above have said McIntyre and Green are fina prospects but I don't think they are quite yet up to it. Hopefully they'll surprise on the upside, both very talented.

He's earning too much in Glasgow.

It seems to me that as a Japanese Rugby player who's being sought in the streets of Tokyo for autographs, his presence in the Japanese Super Rugby team would have kicked Rugby along far better than him heading to Qld. But then maybe I'm wrong.