Key trio re-sign for Queensland Reds

[The InnFORCEr]

Laine Clark,
AAPJuly 16, 2013,
10:21 am

In a show of faith for Queensland Reds head coach Richard Graham, Wallabies Liam Gill, James Slipper and Rob Simmons have re-signed with the Super Rugby franchise despite Ewen McKenzie's looming departure.

The key trio confirmed they had signed two-year deals in a shot in the arm for Queensland ahead of Saturday's qualifying final clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Prop Slipper, flanker Gill and lock Simmons did not consider rival offers, saying they were more than comfortable with the set-up under Graham who will take control when coaching director McKenzie moves on after the Super Rugby final campaign to his new role as Wallabies coach.

The three players boast a combined 154 caps for Queensland and 73 Tests for Australia.

"To secure their services for a further two seasons is significant for our rugby program and they'll have major roles to play as we move forward together as a group," Graham said.

Slipper marked his 50th game for Queensland as captain in their grinding 14-12 win over the NSW Waratahs last weekend in the absence of injured leaders James Horwill and Will Genia who return against seven-time champs the Crusaders.

"There is a very good culture and I'm really looking forward to what is in store over the next two years," Slipper said.

"Not only do I love playing for Queensland, but also with my teammates here and that was a major motivation to re-sign."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...eensland-reds/

[Stone Cold]

We'll see how comfortable they are after a year with Graham at the helm...

[Alison]

Prob didn't need to consider other offers as all will have had nice ARU top-ups thank you very much?

[TOCC]

Prob didn't need to consider other offers as all will have had nice ARU top-ups thank you very much?

Stop been such a bitter little person
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[Cowboy]

Good lord, you are sensitive TOCC.

[TOCC]

Lol, sure mate, I'm the sensitive one on here
Posted via Mobile Device

[Cowboy]

You seem to regularly come running over here to the West looking to protect your Qld Reds from anyone with the audacity to think poorly of them.

Can't for the life of me fathom why you would bother?

I couldn't care less if three quarters of Australia hates my teams guts. I'm not about to patrol the internet looking to defend them from the forces of evil.

[Alison]

Stop been such a bitter little person
Posted via Mobile Device

I think you mean 'being' a bitter little person. But I guess that's what a Queensland education will do for you.

[GIGS20]

I was going to suggest Alison, that two of the three probably didn't consider other offers because they didn't receive any.

Slipper is made to play lock in a Dick Graham coached team and Gill is suffering from the massive depth in open-minded currently in the country.

Slipper is OK, and might be wanted elsewhere though
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[TOCC]

I was going to suggest Alison, that two of the three probably didn't consider other offers because they didn't receive any.

Slipper is made to play lock in a Richard Graham coached team and Gill is suffering from the massive depth in open-minded currently in the country.

Slipper is OK, and might be wanted elsewhere though
Posted via Mobile Device

I think you mean Simmons actually plays lock. You might have seen him starting for the Wallabies

Simmons can be hot/cold but he is a line out specialist and more importantly a very capable player in a position Australia lacks depth in.. Gills a fantastic young talent, best scavenger in the country whilst offering a different skillset to Pocock and Hooper.. Slipper is in the top 2 THP's in Australia..

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[Muddly]

I think you mean Simmons actually plays lock. You might have seen him starting for the Wallabies?
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My question would be: Why did we have to whatch that?

[Piston]

Slipper is in the top 2 THP's in Australia..Posted via Mobile Device

That doesn't say much if you look at how the first choice went a few weeks ago!
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[GIGS20]

I think you mean Simmons actually plays lock. You might have seen him starting for the Wallabies

ooooh yes, sorry my mistake, to be fair, it was pretty easy to forget seeing him play for the Wallabies, considering he didn't do anything.

[Timbo]

ooooh yes, sorry my mistake, to be fair, it was pretty easy to forget seeing him play for the Wallabies, considering he didn't do anything.

Simmons played as good a game as I have ever seen him play.

I guess that is just repeating what GIGS said ........