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The 'hidden gem' the Reds are set to unleash as they eye Super Rugby AU title

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Liam Wright has reflected on Queensland rugby’s ability to hang on to local talent and unearth “hidden gems” as they eye a Super Rugby AU title this year.

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The Reds boast a host of fresh and experienced Wallabies talent in their squad finalised on Monday, the addition of star NRL winger Suliasi Vunivalu one of domestic rugby’s most anticipated storylines of 2021.

James O’Connor, Taniela Tupou, Harry Wilson, Jordan Petaia, Filipo Daugunu, Tate McDermott, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Hunter Paisami, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Fraser McReight were all part of Dave Rennie’s maiden test squad last year.

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RugbyPass Offload | Episode 12

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The addition of Josh Flook, Zane Nonggorr, Mac Grealy, Kalani Thomas and Ilaisa Droasese on full-time deals has meant former Wallabies back and nine-season veteran Chris Feauai-Sautia and Samoan halfback Scott Malolua both missed new contracts.

Twins JP and Ruan Smith are the other notable omissions after the props sealed a move to American Major League Rugby franchise LA Giltinis this year.

Brad Thorn took the reins as coach in 2018, controversially axing five-eighth Quade Cooper as he attempted to rebuild a side that had flailed since winning the 2011 title.

Central to that rebuild was internal development, with 89 per cent of the Reds’ 37-man squad graduating from the Queensland development pathway.

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Wright said that connection had started to benefit them on field as they reached last season’s Super Rugby AU decider.

“The best thing I can tell you is in games last year, defending our line, there was no quit from the boys,” captain Wright said.

“That’s something special; everyone knows they’re doing their part.”

The Reds’ stability took a hit last season when Harry Hockings, Izack Rodda and Isaac Lucas all left to pursue overseas contracts during the COVID-19 shutdown.

But Wright said the emergence of talented fullback Jock Campbell showed their system was working.

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“When Thorny came in he wanted to make sure Queensland had a really, really good pathway and in times before we let a lot of good players go,” he said.

“But guys like Jock, who spent four, five years in club rugby before getting their chance, it shows the hidden gems we have at club level.

“It is that conveyer belt … and with 11 or 12 Wallabies guys away (to begin preseason) it’s given others a chance to step up, talk in meeting and lead that on-field chat.”

REDS SQUAD: Matt Faessler, Feao Fotuaika, Harry Hoopert, Alex Mafi, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Dane Zander, Angus Blyth, Ben Grant, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Tuania Taii Tualima, Fraser McReight, Angus Scott-Young, Seru Uru, Sam Wallis, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Lawson Creighton, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Moses Sorovi, Kalani Thomas, Hudson Creighton, Josh Flook, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Hamish Stewart, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Ilasia Droasese, Mac Grealy, Suliasi Vunivalu.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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