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Destination revealed for Reds renegade Isaac Lucas

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

With his former Reds teammates Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott and Hunter Paisami all earning maiden Wallabies call-ups this year, it’s not a wild suggestion to say that Isaac Lucas was possibly destined for the gold jersey in 2020 too.

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Instead, however, one of the stars of last year’s Under 20 World Championship will be plying his trade in Japan next season, having parted ways with the Reds after the Super Rugby side tried to renegotiate contract arrangements earlier this year due to the financial impact of COVID.

Lucas has been unveiled as one of the newest signings for Top League side Ricoh Black Rams, where his older brother Matt has spent the last few seasons.

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod discuss the re-appointment of Michael Hooper as captain and debate who is the front seat to become Rennie’s first Wallaby halves pairing.

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The Aotearoa Rugby Pod discuss the re-appointment of Michael Hooper as captain and debate who is the front seat to become Rennie’s first Wallaby halves pairing.

The Lucas brothers aren’t the only foreigners on the Rams’ books, however, with the likes of Kiwis Robbie Robinson, Matt McGahan, Elliot Dixon and Ben Funnell all contracted to the team with one of the best jerseys in world rugby.

Former Wallabies flyhalf Berrick Barnes has played for Ricoh for the past two years but hung up his boots at the end of the unfinished 2020 season. Lucas could well be viewed as a replacement for Barnes, despite the 21-year-old looking more at home in the fullback jersey than at first receiver.

Former Australian representative Joe Tomane has also signed with the club. Tomane, who played in the NRL for three seasons at the start of his career, has also played rugby in France and Ireland and was set to join the Dragons club in Wales for the upcoming PRO14 season but those plans have evidently been altered due to the global pandemic.

Waratahs legend Peter Hewat, who was the leading points-scorer in the 2005 Super Rugby season, has also joined the club as an assistant coach.

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All three Australians are excellent pick-ups for Ricoh but its Lucas’ signature that is perhaps the most precious. The prodigiously talented outside back is still only in the early stages of his career and could become a sensational performer for the Rams, providing they manage to keep him in Japan for the long-term.

No doubt, Australian clubs will be trying to lure the 21-year-old back to his home nation once his initial contract with Ricoh comes to a close.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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