The Queensland Reds have made a forward-line clearout, declining to offer Rob Simmons a contract beyond 2017 and releasing Leroy Houston in an effort to make way for rising young stars.
After a poor 2017 season, it is understood that Simmons will look at playing for another Super Rugby franchise before considering to play overseas. The 71-Test veteran lock will be cut for Lukhan Tui and Izack Rodda, two rising stars with strong ball-running and defensive capabilities.
With Australian under-20s talents Harry Hockings and Angus Blyth developing into professional grade players, the Reds did not have enough room to re-sign Simmons. Simmons has struggled to find his best form this season and has held on to his starting position by being the lead caller in the lineout.
Rodda will now take over the lineout duties.
It is expected that Houston will travel back to Europe after limited opportunities with the Reds. The second-rower returned to Australia in 2016 with eyes on being a part of Michael Cheika’s Wallabies plans, but has failed to make an impact for the Reds this year.
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With the likes of Scott Higginbotham, Adam Korcyzk and Hendrik Tui picked ahead of him, Houston has not had enough game time to present his case for a Wallaby jumper.
Reds head coach Nick Stiles said that the decision to cut the two experienced forwards had to be made in order to cater to the club’s best interests moving forward.
“We believe that the future lies with the players who started the game in Samoa last weekend (against the Blues) and with other emerging second-row talent that has come through our under-20s program,” Stiles said.
“The reality is that all Australian Super Rugby teams have to make decisions based on future priorities, as well as salary cap limitations.
“Rob will leave us at the end of the year with our best wishes and gratitude for the long service he has given Queensland.”
With Tui and Rodda heading into contract negotiations, this latest move will allow the Reds to keep all four of their young, lock talents.
Gepetto
Guest
Simmons has great hands and rarely loses the ball in contact. He amongst the last of the dominant low tacklers left from the dominant 2011 Reds team. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHtUy0azDGE
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
It's tough being a professional rugby player. It can be a cruel existence with a small window to shine then to only be discarded for something new. In the mix is serious injury at any time. I am sure Simmons and Houston are aware of this tough landscape. If the players can be treated so harshly the same should apply to coaches. So when is Nick Stiles going to be cut? He is not up to scratch as a Super Rugby coach and needs time to mature and learn his trade elsewhere. The players under his control are loosing value. I see him being the catalyst for their devaluation.
Jimbo
Guest
How many more will be heading overseas when the ARU chops one of the franchises? You'll be able to watch Australian rugby on TV from United Kingdom, France and Japan. Really the ARU is a ship heading for the rocks without any one at the wheel. Participation numbers have jumped in Victoria - but will this continue. Soccer has grown to having two A League teams and also a multitude of local clubs which didn't exist in the 70s and 80s. Plan to withdraw from Super Rugby and start a season long Australian Rugby Championship - aiming for three teams in Queensland, Three around Sydney (with one in the Western Suburbs) and possibly one in Newcastle-Central coast (They have two of the best rectangular football grounds in Australia), then teams in Canberra; Melbourne and Perth. This would give a wide platform for young talent to be developed alongside our top players.- Will this happen? Not B...... Likely while the Shute Shield teams have the ARU by the B......!!!!!
Markus
Guest
Waratahs would be the obvious one. Lost Skelton and Mumm, Hanigan has been playing primarily blindside, and he is definitely better than Power and McDuling. Rebels a possibility too despite Parling's signing, as I think Retallick will go and neither Cummins or Jeffries have made the step up just yet.
MitchO
Guest
Simmons was always a good player except for being soft in contact (not physical enough) but still getting through work. I thought he stepped up on the last Wallabies tour when Coleman went down. For mine you just needed to pick Simmons with a tough guy as baby sitter. Like Coleman or even Arnold. Surely Eales was given an opportunity to do his thing with Rod McCall beside him. Similarly, playing TPN at hooker gives you a better chance to bring forward a young prop. The babysitter approach works. I am not a Simmons fan but he was a test quality lock and at 28 without serious injury must remain so. I think his problem is genetic so there is a limit to how much more physical you can make him but I reckon if he spent two seasons in the UK the mud and the grind would give him good practice in how to better fake it. Go North young man on a two year deal and sort yourself for out for a tilt at 2019. RHP is big and physical but they are taking their time bringing him into the Wallabies squad. I am hoping this is deliberate as he is still pretty green. Only played a few super seasons but he could help out at training with his size and aggression whilst being guaranteed by Cheika that he will not make the 23 this season. That'd really fire him up.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Cheers for the years of sterling service and all the best, Rob - time to earn some serious coin o/s while you can. Leroy, unfortunately you signed up with a band that already had 4 guitarists. Thanks anyway.
John R
Roar Guru
Surely Parling is all too aware of the current goings on in our wee tournament down here? Maybe he's doing the classic OE exchange and is looking to do something like a working holiday? Probably get himself a flat in St Kilda. Hit up some back packer parma nights. Try and learn how to surf.
John R
Roar Guru
Agreed - serious dearth of experience at Lock next year for the Tahs.
Rebellion
Guest
Big call for the Reds although I'll be happy to see the back of Houston. Douglas, Frisby, McIntyre and Moore (retirement) will probably be next year
Bakkies
Guest
Their scrum has been awful this year
Bakkies
Guest
Probably explains why he is looking at his options locally first.
Bakkies
Guest
He is probably more suited to European Rugby. I see he has signed for Bordeaux.
Fin
Guest
Tahs would be smart to pick him up. The Reds have had pretty good set piece in recent years. I'm sure he would be an asset in this area. Plus at 28 he should have some good rugby in front of him.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
I've always rated Rob Simmons Don, and I'm sure he has a fair few productive years left in him, wherever he lands. Lineout calling is an underestimated skill,esp under pressure, and he has been one of the best at it for a few years now. Good luck to him!
Bfc
Guest
Our best TH lock bar some margin...the woefully unbalanced forward packs chosen by Cheika certainly did not help SImmons' game, and I would agree with much of your sentiments. Hope he earns some big dollars overseas...Japan or Europe, he is good enough to be considered a top tier lock.
Bfc
Guest
Never really know what is happening behind closed doors at the QRU/Reds...player signings and retention has been pretty ad hoc for a few years. Hope there is a degree of fact in the "announcement" in that Simmons was not re-signed because the Reds needed to sign some youngsters (though everyone seems to agree they'd prefer to see Douglas released...but he has another 2 years on his contract?)...maybe they need money for Genia as well...? Frisby is also contracted for another couple of years, though he has done little to engender any confidence so far this season. A sad end for a Reds stalwart...Simmons is still only 28, played 117 times for the Reds and has 71 Test Caps, so I hope someone picks him up...still the best scrum lock and lineout caller we have. "Thanks Rob Simmons, wishing you all the best for the future..."
Cuw
Guest
HOUSTON has signed for BORDEUX , 2 year deal.
Andy
Guest
Of all teams the Tahs will need him the most. The will have no one next year
Riddler
Guest
Very true John. .much maligned player.. Was very good in the scrums, much better than sharpe for example.. People tend to forget eales was no trucker of the pill.. Prefer Douglas to go, but as twas says has one year to go and red don't have spare cash.. Not sad to see Houston go.. strange signing. . He was solid for bath but not outstanding.. Waldron and the like out performed him continously..
Riddler
Guest
Res have signed parling. .