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The Reds have the depth to overcome the loss of some incredible talent
The Queensland Reds will look to put a disrupted second preseason of 2020 behind them on Friday when their Super Rugby AU campaign kicks off against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
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Rising stars Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas, joined by Wallaby Izack Rodda, walked out on the Reds and Rugby Australia in May due to the uncertain financial state of the game.
The Reds will have their depth put to the test this season, and will be made to miss the trio if other players can’t fill the holes left by their departure.
But there’s hope.
While not discrediting the ability of the former Reds players, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
With two of the three players being second rowers, let’s start the Reds quest for prosperity there.
Wallaby Lukhan Salakaia-Loto could very well see more time in the second row, but Brad Thorn may have to turn to youth to bolster an already inexperienced side.
22-year-old Angus Blyth isn’t new to the Reds, having represented his State on 14 occasions. But Blyth may now have the opportunity to cement his place in the team.
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The Queensland Country representative started the first match of 2020 against the Brumbies alongside Salakaia-Loto in the second row, so it’s an already familiar partnership that could mould the future of the Queensland Reds tight five.
As for the loss of Isaac Lucas, the Reds have some of the best up and coming talent in the country who can fill the void left by the utility back.
21-year-old Lucas showed glimpses of promise in all seven Reds matches so far in 2020, drawing praise for his impact and potential.
But other than his two starts against the Brumbies and Crusaders, he became a regular custodian of the 22 jersey whilst also filling in at fullback, with James O’Connor more fancied at fly-half with Hamish Stewart outside him.
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Joining Stewart in the centres was three-test Wallaby Jordan Petaia, before he went down with a shoulder injury early in the season.
Hunter Paisami replaced Petaia and held his own in Super Rugby alongside Stewart, in what just may be the future of the Reds midfield.
Upon his return, Petaia at 15 could be a sight to behold if Thorn decides to play the 20-year-old there.
Jock Campbell was an integral part of the Reds side in 2020, becoming the first-choice fullback after starting the first two matches on the wing.
Depending on how Petaia returns, any of Stewart, Paisami or Campbell would do Lucas’ spot on the bench justice.
Chris Feauai-Sautia and Filipo Daugunu are also players who could prompt line-up reshuffles with Henry Speight having left for Pro D2 side Biarritz.
2019 Australian Schools & U18s captain Josh Flook, and 2019 Queensland schoolboy of the year Mac Grealy, could also have the potential to fill the vacancy left by Lucas in the long-term.
Simply, the Reds have the depth to overcome the loss of some incredible talent.
Bryce Hegarty also proved a helpful alternative at 15, who was also more accurate with the boot than his replacement in Campbell.
Now this is where the big issues lie.
Campbell had converted 12 of 21 attempts off the tee after the match against the Crusaders in Christchurch, while Hegarty was perfect from nine attempts before being moved to the bench after round two.
As long as the Reds goalkickers get on top of their accuracy, the Reds will be winning a lot more than what they did earlier this year, having lost three of their seven matches by seven or less.
Replacements and goal kicking woes will be put to the test this Friday, when the Reds host the inaugural match of Super Rugby AU against their fiercest rivals, the Waratahs.
Number Eight Harry Wilson spoke about the match on Tuesday, in what promises to be a State of Origin like encounter.
“Queensland versus New South Wales, it’s the biggest game of the year being a Queensland or New South Welshman. There’s probably no better way to start this competition than versing New South Wales,” Wilson told Reds TV.
“From the moment we heard about it, we were very fired up for this game. They had Paul Gallen speaking to them too so they’ll be pretty fired up for this game also.
“We don’t need anymore extra motivation than just playing New South Wales.”
With the Waratahs winning just one from six earlier this year, this is simply a must win for the Reds as they attempt to win their first Super title since 2011.
If the Reds get off to a good start on Friday and build throughout the season, they still have the personnel to contest for a top two finish.
Comments on RugbyPass
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
8 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
8 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
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