The Queensland Rugby Union has agreed to release Wallabies winger Henry Speight to French club Biarritz Olympique on a three-year deal.
Signed through 2021 with Queensland, the 32-year-old veteran of 19 Tests for Australia only joined the Queensland Reds this season after nine seasons with the Brumbies.
He had started in all seven games this year, scoring three tries before the season was interrupted by the coronavirus shutdown.
Speight will be the fourth player to exit the Reds during the shutdown, after Wallabies lock Izack Rodda and young guns Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas.
While the departure of that trio was acrimonious, the QRU was at pains to stress the “respectful” nature of their negotiations with Speight and Biarritz.
The Reds are due to bring in 24-year-old NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu next season, having signed him late last year on a two-year deal.
Speight was grateful to be allowed to secure his future with a lengthy deal in Europe.
“My family and I are unbelievably grateful that, from the board down, our request was dealt with respect and that the organisation was ultimately sympathetic to the opportunity that lies in front of us,” he said.
(AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
Red coach Brad Thorn praised Speight’s contribution.
“Henry has been great for our program. He is a true gentleman and a family man who brought plenty of experience and knowledge,” he said.
“He was well respected and a lot of the guys here looked up to him for advice both on and off the field.
“We’ll miss Henry, but we’re happy to send him along his way. He’s contributed so much for Australian rugby for more than a decade. We wish him and his family all the best for their next chapter in France.
“When one door closes, another one opens. It’s awesome we have another quality player in Suliasi Vunivalu set to join our program.
“It’ll be exciting to see him battle fellow Fijian Filipo Daugunu and others within our squad for those wing spots next year.”
jeznez
Roar Guru
You are projecting Jacko, I have said absolutely nothing about Thorn. But hey, feel free to tell me what my view on him is. :laughing:
Jacko
Guest
Can you give me all the 2020 results as I would love to put a few bucks down every week knowing the results for this year like you are claiming!!! I think the Reds will finish second in the Aus comp...What do you think will be their position....Oh that right you already know that the Reds have failed...Full of it...
Jacko
Guest
I think you will find that QLD and Aus rugby have a very different view of Thorn than you do...He will be re-signed to the Reds for 2 more seasons
Jacko
Guest
maybe the "Cattle" should stop taking drugs Wheelbarrow.....As for QC he was useless anyway as was exposed very badly in his year at the rebels
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Best wishes Henry! Cheers KP
Humey
Guest
I just found out we lost another player. What are the QRU and Brad Thorn doing? It`s going from bad to worse. :crying: And don't tell me Vunivalu is on $900,000 a year for two years.Please tell me that is false.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Campbell has been amazing this year I think... too small?? He's playing the house down and showing he has skills and rugby nous.
Realist
Guest
Speight has performed admirably for the Reds and I wish him well. What I’m really worried about is the departure of Peter Ryan to the Broncos. The support coaches have seemed to really help this year and you could see the team moving in the right direction despite the win-loss record. Goes to show just how dire the financial state is. Like Australian Rugby was decimated by the horror Cheika show, Queensland is still struggling to shake off the Richard Graham virus.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
One of my favourite players to watch - his joy was infectious. He was a very good attacking wing and his positional defence became better and better over time; he was excellent at cover and also in getting in between the ball carrier and support when he was defending. Tackling wasn't the strongest suite but he was a winger. He was a wonderful team man as well. he ran the water at Gungahlin Eagles when he was recovering from his knee injury and that was, in some ways a real testament to the man. A fine career and one to be proud of. Little though I think of Thorn's man management, I am not convinced this is much about Thorn - more about a player on his last leg (the other one being a bit busted) at Super level taking a good opportunity. His time in Oz was always likely to be limited once he finished at the Berrrumbies last year, given his stage of career and he was on a short term contract with Qld. I do hope that money is not going to be wasted on League outside backs - Qld have issues inside and, probably, with direction higher up.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
By accident but will also be a good chance to get a brief idea of how a coach on the rise adapts to the professional level. May even take some things away from it when he goes back to 20s. Not at all by design but a good outcome for a promising Aus coach.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Which 10? Last week's 10 or the 10 Thorn is gonna drop him for next week?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Charlie: Very true I had not thought of that. I am sure the Reds 10's will be practising that in anticipation. I hope they did not pay 900k a season for him, that is madness.
Charlie Turner
Guest
That's good news for the Tahs and JG.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Gilmore is stepping in to the Tahs defence role for this year. Bailey has been let go and they’ve put him in with the 20’s suspended. Reportedly back to the 20’a next year. A good get for the Tahs for the Super AU. We definitely need the help.
Charlie Turner
Guest
I'm not sure the Reds have the inside backs to get the most out of him. They need a flyhalf with good cross kicking game. I'm not sure I've seen that from JOC.....Carter Gordon?
Charlie Turner
Guest
Jason Gilmore has a solid CV. Certainly better coaching credentials than Thorn. He was an assistant to Stiles and was moved into the U20's when that unravelled. He's probably at a similar level to Matt Taylor when he went to Scotland.
Davos
Guest
Really poor culture at the Reds, lost so many good talented experienced players over 2 years because of his massive ego.
JP
Guest
What a disgrace.Thorn we have just about had enough you. Leave !! Go back to New Zealand Now !!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
OOP: I am an old bloke and cannot type at the same speed as you! I can't keep up.....
stillmissit
Roar Guru
OOP: Will have a look at him who does he play for??? Toomua is capable but even the Kiwi's having high-quality goal kickers, so this is not an area we need to be losing points in as we have over the years. Pleased to see the drop kick back in action, it's funny how things get overlooked and then make a come back. Will we see the wingers throwing in?