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Joined March 2012
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Reds Fan from way back and cricket tragic!
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Australia are scheduled to play 31 one-day cricket matches between now and the first ball of the World Cup in England next year –…
Is Australia's performance against India something that should give them confidence leading into this summer's Ashes? If the answer was as simple as holding…
It will not be surprising to see Michael Cheika braving the Canberra chill to have a close look at a pair of Queensland Reds…
Michael Cheika has announced the 39 man 'training' squad for the England Test series with Sekope Kepu, James Horwill returning from overseas as well…
As Jim Carmichael follows Richard Graham into the sunset, Reds fans could be guilty of feeling little hope for the 2017 season. With the…
Quade Cooper was, from a Wallaby point of view, the biggest disappointment of the last Rugby World Cup, sadly limping away from the campaign…
In a month's time, on December 4, the Australian cricket team kicks of its home summer against the visiting Indians. As always, there is…
With only pride-salvaging games remaining for the Reds in 2014, I now look towards season 2015's playing roster. There seems to be some stability…
Day 2 of the Sheffield Shield left a number of big selection questions unanswered before the first Test starts in Brisbane on November 21st.…
Australia were narrowly defeated in the first Ashes Test, with the reinstated Brad Haddin (35) the almost-hero with a gusty innings. Last week I…
With the Ashes XI selected for the first Test having a tough task ahead of them, it is time to look forward to the…
Lancaster is not coming!
Smith to play until 40? Reds sign ex-Wallabies captain to two-year deal
Hopeless or just possibly a bit risky? At the moment behind Gill for openside the only true openside in the system seems to be Michael Gunn. He is a big mobile and by all accounts, skillful unit. However, like Jake McIntyre – wouldn’t he benefit from a couple of seasons under somebody of Smith’s calibre?
With the negative comments so far you would think he was 40, not 35!! He has stayed fit and serious injury free (touching wood everywhere in my office!) for a full career in one of the toughest positions in World Rugby. He has just come off a season with Wasps where he has the following accolades –
Wasps’ Players’ Player of the Year
Wasps’ Player of the Year
Aviva Premiership Players’ Player of the Year
Green Flag Forward of the Season
I googled the Green Flag award – he beat the following to win it –
Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Nili Latu (Newcastle)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
If we are led to believe the hype surrounding the England test side, Smith’s recent accolades can not be scoffed at – surely?
From a Reds fan of 30+ years it doesn’t seem hopeless, I’m excited!
Smith to play until 40? Reds sign ex-Wallabies captain to two-year deal
I keep saying L Fisher
Stuart Lancaster’s name bandied about as he doesn’t have a job only – nothing tangible there.
Smith to play until 40? Reds sign ex-Wallabies captain to two-year deal
Kinda what I meant – if only I was a journalist!
Smith to play until 40? Reds sign ex-Wallabies captain to two-year deal
Good tactic announcing today – Eddie is going to get all flustered pre Test
Smith to play until 40? Reds sign ex-Wallabies captain to two-year deal
Disco Stu – are you the little fairy?
Can Jarryd Hayne be our next great keeper-batsman?
Correct – tempted him back to Australian rugby – didn’t even have him in squad for 1st test. Pulled him into squad for 2nd test but not selected in the 23. Then in one of the more mindboggling decisions dropped Liam Gill (after his astounding lineout win to help win the second test) for him.
May have left a sour taste in George’s mouth who then retired from international football (again).
Let’s not turn this into an anti Stubborn Deans post.. I could go on all Friday.
O’Connor to 10????
Ok – no more
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
Richard Graham leaves they all start coming back…
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
Although Pocock wont be there – moves straight into Wallaby contention to replace Pocock??
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
33 year old back up prop – I’m guessing you don’t rate him or like most just don’t watch the Reds because you don’t get any joy from a good scrum?
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
He will be 36 next year – physically SR will be more of a challenge than Europe but the guy is a pro and the mentoring / experience he will bring to the Reds will be priceless.
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
Don’t discount Holmes yet TWAS. In his words – “I really don’t think Hardman deserves most caps…”
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
Well I am renewing membership.
As long as they don’t get silly and announce O’Connor is coming back.
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
Smith mentoring Michael Gunn, Quade mentoring Jake McIntyre, Douglas back, Houston hopefully coming back having learnt how to catch – its looking good for the Reds 2017.
Sad we didn’t sign a new coach this time last year – we might still have Gill, Holmes, Cooper and others!
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
Wont reveal source BUT they also are saying Holmes trying to get out of 2 year contract!! ARU looking to pay out the 2 years.
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
Expect the announcement before the end of the England series of Laurie Fisher as coach, closely followed by the resigning of Quade Cooper on a deal that has him here for next World Cup – apparently he doesn’t like croissants as much as he thought he would
Queensland Reds have signed George Smith
It has to be an opportunity to blood a new guy – is Nevill the player to be at the next World Cup or just ‘best option’ until then?
Somebody really needs to shine at Domestic level to displace Wade.
Yes he is not in form, but he has a decent record. Keeping is improving (note I have been all for him being replaced for years!! I am a Chris Hartley fan!!).
Whiteman, Doran, Ben McDermott all have future star about them – they need some runs on the board. Let Nevill keep working on what matters – being a reliable test keeper who can average in the 30’s (dare I say 40s??) and forget about the One Day stuff – does it really matter if it’s not a World Cup?
Is Matt all you got? Australia Wades into a search for new ODI keeper
A good reward for some debutants that have had solid seasons so far. Think Holmes deserves starting spot based on his dominant scrummaging in SR this season and looking forward to the Fijian combination in centres.
Cheika is no dumby and I think deserves the chance to showcase his squad on Saturday.
However, come Sunday morning if there is a possible Wallabies loss… knives out!!
Wallabies team for first Test against England: Arnold, Kerevi and Haylett-Petty to debut
I think you share Cheikas thoughts – I agree with bench – obviously dependant on starting side. Has Holmes done enough to displace Kepu?
How will 39 become 30, then 23 for Michael Cheika?
Would love to see Pocock move to 6 and Gill have a crack at the open side starting spot with McMahon at 8. I think Gill can be used legitimately in the lineout instead of Fardy.
How will 39 become 30, then 23 for Michael Cheika?
Interested to hear your preferred backrow and bench TWAS (without reading your 8000+ comments on my phone!)
How will 39 become 30, then 23 for Michael Cheika?
It hurts to type this but as much as I would like to see Liam Gill selected – Cheika can’t tinker too much with the starting side for this weekend. McCalman should come in for Pocock. Horwill for his lineout smarts for Simmons (if unfit) and possibly shuffle Kerevi and Kuridrani out one spot and slot in CLL.
The Wallabies problem isn’t Hooper the player, I think it is the gameplan that is being pushed upon them.
Some quick unbiased stats (remembering I am a Reds and thus a Liam Gill disciple!)-
Super Rugby 2016 Stats
Pocock
Playing time in 2016 = 770 mins
Attacking Stats – 78 Carries for 111 metres (1.4 mtrs per carry) – 2 Clean Breaks / 3 Offloads / 6 Defenders Beaten
Defensive Stats – 9.4 Tackles per game – 7 Turnovers – 8 Penalties conceded – 1 Yellow Cards
McCalman
Playing time in 2016 = 726 mins
Attacking Stats – 96 Carries for 214 metres (2.3 mtrs per carry) – 4 Clean Breaks / 5 Offloads / 6 Defenders Beaten
Defensive Stats – 6.6 Tackles per game – 10 Turnovers – 6 Penalties conceded – 0 Yellow Cards
Palu
Playing time in 2016 = 352 mins
Attacking Stats – 46 Carries for 66 metres (1.4 mtrs per carry) – 1 Clean Break / 8 Offloads / 5 Defenders Beaten
Defensive Stats – 3.3 Tackles per game – 5 Turnovers – 4 Penalties conceded – 2 Yellow Cards
McMahon
Playing time in 2016 = 864 mins
Attacking Stats – 113 Carries for 442 metres (3.9mtrs per carry) – 10 Clean Breaks / 5 Offloads / 43 Defenders Beaten
Defensive Stats – 8.8 Tackles per game – 10 Turnovers – 6 Penalties conceded – 1 Yellow Card
Gill
Playing time in 2016 = 592 mins
Attacking Stats – 58 Carries for 233 metres (4mtrs per carry) – 8 Clean Breaks / 5 Offloads / 10 Defenders Beaten
Defensive Stats – 9.6 Tackles per game – 10 Turnovers – 7 Penalties conceded – 1 Yellow Card
For the record I endeavoured to find Leroy Houstons stats to no avail!
These stats paint a flattering picture of both Liam Gill and Sean McMahon’s suitability to replace Pocock – but do they have the capacity to replace Pocock at number 8? Pocock is a remarkable player who’s allround capabilities (not forgetting leadership) is irreplaceable. That’s why I elect McCalman over the consistency waning Wycliff Palu.
Hooper needs to come in tighter, as does Fardy to combat England at the breakdown – as simple as that. I’ve tried to watch Waratahs games objectively which is extremely difficult as a parochial Queenslander and I admit he has been playing tighter this year in SR. So the ability to do so is there, I feel he just needs the directive from the coach / coaching staff. The fact that Fardy was playing so wide points to some sort of directive to hit them out wide with pods of forwards – a green light to a player like Hooper.
Liam Gill will be the biggest loser if I am correct – but I think this is the way Cheika will go.
Who should replace David Pocock?