Reds coach laments 'back room battles'

[travelling_gerry]

Reds coach laments 'back room battles'

JIM MORTON

March 13, 2010 - 4:54PM
AAP
Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie claims a host of off-contract Reds have hampered preparation for Sunday's Super 14 clash with the Western Force.
With Super 15 expansion club Melbourne Rebels allowed to start signing Australian players on Monday, several Queenslanders have been courted to join the new franchise.
Prop Laurie Weeks, lock Adam Byrnes and reserve halfback Richard Kingi are three reportedly considering a move down south.
McKenzie would not confirm or deny whether players were about to jump ship but admitted the fight to retain up to two dozen off-contract Reds was frustrating.
He also doubted that all players linked to the new club were indeed set to sign but is on guard.
"There's no question we've got players who are being courted heavily which is not helping us in terms of preparation," he said.
"We have to respond and the back room battles with recruiting are taking up a lot of time to be honest which is frustrating when you just want to focus on the opposition.
"We've done a lot of work too, but we're not talking about it to the media, there's a time and place.
"We're just trying to concentrate on the game against the Force."

© 2010 AAP


http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news...0313-q4y8.html

[GIGS20]

SMOKE SCREEN ALERT!!!

this story may cause danger to shipping and low flying aircraft!

I've not seen a more obvious ploy to deflect the ire from Van Humphries' ill timed fireup last week.

Ignore it boys, let's just get out there and roll these c&%$s

[jono]

pity its not true.
i'll take whatever help comes our way if it gets us a win

[tic]

Don't be too cynical boys, I think Link is making a fair point. The ARU are the real c@#nts in this - it is unforgiveable that they are allowing this to happen again.

If they allow Qld rugby to sink again, it is the end of rugby as a serious sport in this nation for good.

[GIGS20]

And it's pure coincidence that this story breaks on the eve of the first game this season they're favourites to win isn't it tic?

Look mate, I love the Reds, but this bullshit trying to grab the underdog tag is beneath them, they need to suck it up and accept that we'll be prepared to throw everything at them and hope to be thereabouts in the dying minutes.

[tic]

They were favourites against the Blues 2 weeks ago, but this issue wasn't raised then.

Contract season starts in a matter of hours (thanks ARU, you weak pricks). I have little doubt that Brisbane is being overrun by Waldron's goons as we speak.

Any co-incidence that Byrnes has been benched this week?

[GIGS20]

I thought Byrnes was benched because he was nitro glycerine, if he's in control he's amazing but he's rarely ever fully in control!

I'd be more positive about your team's heart though tic, sure there's the potential to make some easy money, but there's a big lesson to be learned by the Force experience, firstly, the Reds will have a far better idea of what it takes to retain a player right now.....secondly, all they have to do is point to Giteau, Valentine and Mitchell to show how taking big money from a developing franchise works for building your game!

[James]

Has anyone else noticed how well the Reds are doing *without* Barnes and Elsom (who was going to go back to the Reds)? I wonder if they'd be going so well if both players were still there.

[Burgs]

So Link would have us believe that his players are attending contract meetings during scheduled training sessions???
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[TommyM]

I suspect either Kingi or Josh Holmes or both will be at the Rebels next year. Crazy to have guys of that calibre on the bench. Holmes especially must be thoroughly sick of warming the pine...

[DR GRAFENBURGH]

The story is legitimate
Those bedevilled Vics are circling like Sharks, but they aren't just talking to QLDers
It works both ways
You don't think a few Force players have had coffee with men in dark shades in Brissy this week?

[tic]

^^^ Run Rabbit Run?