Rebuilding Queensland Reds will not involve a frenzied dash for players cut from either the Western Force or Melbourne Rebels.
With the axe set to fall on one of Australia’s Super Rugby franchises before the 2018 season, the embattled Queenslanders could be tempted to go to market.
But after a disappointing season that reaped just four wins and ended in a 40-17 loss to the Highlanders on Friday night, coach Nick Stiles plans to keep the faith in the young brigade the club recruited prior to the 2017 season.
“It’s very clear we are in the early stage of a growth period,” Stiles said.
“All of those young players … they’re in the first year of contracts. So we’ve got a very consistent squad to move forward into next year with.
“The season we’ve had now, you’re building those combinations, the cohesiveness of the group. Moving forward that is going to much better.”
That’s not to say the Reds are shutting the door on recruitment entirely.
“There’s still a couple of positions that we haven’t filled out and we will look to supplement the group with,” Stiles said.
But despite the results not coming, Stiles said there was every reason for Reds fans to be optimistic about the future.
“I am really excited to see the growth of some of those young guys,” he said.
“Taniela Tupou was outstanding tonight, he has really finished the season off strongly.
“Alex Mafi came on and played really well in the second half, Markus Vanzati did his job again in the front row.
“We’ve seen the emergence of two big, physical second-rowers in Lukhan Tui and Izack Rodda. I think they will really be a combination that will really drive forward and become dominant.
“Adam Korczyk was really solid this year, I thought Caleb Timu starting for us tonight was really good.
“And then in our back guys you’ve got Duncan Paia’aua who had a really solid, consistent year. Izaia Perese, the experience he’s had in Super Rugby, he’s going to be a lot better for it.
“Hamish Stewart got good experience, probably a bit ahead of time. But once again he’s a really tough country kid and he’s going to be even better so there are a lot of positives there.”
mtiger
Guest
A State of Origin must be considered in order to say, within 5 years, achieve parity with New Zealand. There must be a spectacle for local pride, to attract local talents. Currently, the leaders of Australian rugby appear few and far in between. The up and coming are perceived as brittle. An SOO will definitely "build" big gamers, and allow real winners on to the Gold jersey.
Marto
Guest
Ballymore facilities?? CABBING ?? ..People UBER now mate.....Harden up Dave S ..Come have a few Bundys or Fourexs with me at my BALLYMORE CARBOOT PARTY . Too bad if you like chicken and chardonnay .You can always go to the Range Rover next to me if you want that rubbish...
Qld fan
Guest
I was gutted they couldnt find someone solid to replace hunt. Surely there must be a sub who can get casually pushed over by a forward scoring the softest try you will see .
Zulu
Roar Rookie
Sounds like you want them to play like the Western Force do?
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Rebellion I agree. Tahs will have more to worry about I think. Sadly, the same was said for this year, which makes many of the losses hard to take.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Hunt was actually having a shocker. Very rare for him. Take Quade out of the equation and we don't score tries it seems. Somewhere around 3+ per game across the season. Yet only 4 across the 3 games he missed.
Rebellion
Guest
You know Dave S, I watched this game from the second half (they were a joke in the first 20-30 mins) and I can actually see the makings of a really competitive side. Not a championship side yet, but one who can give good teams a genuine arm wrestle. No Genia please, no yesterdays heroes. We want a coach who can send these lads out to fight like hell for the ball. Something that was completely foreign in the first half. If we get this right + plus a couple of game breakers and the return of Liam Gill
Rebellion
Guest
Thanks Jock but he's already won one of those for the Reds. I'd be more concerned about the little Imp from Sydney who commands a starting spot and Captain's band despite adding nothing to the ruck and even less to leadership of the country's most resourced provincial and test side. You know, it's no coincidence that the Wallabies lost their ability to remain competitive when they lost their advantage at the ruck. Must be Cooper's fault..
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
And good luck getting 10k punters regularly to Ballymore ... Don't get me wrong I have a lot of fond memories of things from the 80s in B'Vegas, but I'm not driving or cabbing to Bmore for a game too often with those facilities
Waz
Guest
ahh, they say that but they come running back when we're playing well ?
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Bewdy we can go back to Ballymore :)
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
"Hunt was a huge loss early" Yeah and that's a big problem with the Reds - the lack of depth in key positions. Take either Cooper or Hunt out of the equation and the side takes a big step down.
BeastieBoy
Guest
Get players and a coach who can win. Get them from NZ if needs be. If the considered opinion is Stiles can do it, then stick. But the Australian teams will only start to win back spectators once they win consistently. Even then it will take a couple of years of great results for them to come back. But we must win.. so find those players wherever they maybe. Do not persist with those that can't. Pick kiwis so we can convince NZ to move to a Trans Tasman cup.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Unless drastic changes are made starting with the coaches the Reds and Tahs will battle it out for last place in the Australian Conference next year.
Kevin
Guest
Watched the game closely last night. There were some very solid performances by some Reds players. Quade had a much better game and assumed responsibility whilst surrounded by 3 x backs from the under 20's. Hunt was a huge loss early. The game could have been much closer with Kerevi, Hunt and Higgenbotham. Squad looks quite strong for next year. Shame to be losing Simonds.
AndyS
Guest
Given the stated reasons for the reduction to four teams, the only players from the removed team the Reds and 'Tahs should be eligible to sign are those that originated within their respective states and junior systems. Even that would be a big advantage given the disproportionate distribution of money at the grassroots level, but would at least have some internal consistency and logic.
Gepetto
Guest
Under Stiles, 2018 will be a complete disaster for the Reds. People I see at Suncorp say they have bought their last season tickets. 2018 crowds will fit into any school's grounds
Jock Cornet
Guest
Give it all to qc he will win ya comp
Rt
Guest
Splash some money on a coach with a winning reputation.
Chronicle
Roar Rookie
Assuming there is still a salary cap for Australian Super rugby teams overseen by the ARU who all contracts must be lodged with I would be surprised that Queensland are in a position to recruit at all. With the announcement of Genia as foreshadowed by Cheika I would think it is more likely to see who is leaving, maybe the loss of McIntyre is just a beginning.