Faingaa brothers stick with Reds

[TOCC]

Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa sign new deals with Queensland Reds

IN-FORM twins Anthony and Saia Faingaa have delivered the Reds a double dose of good news as the first of Queensland's off-contract players to sign up for another two years.
Such a proclamation would barely have caused a ripple this time last year when the duo were playing like the bench players they were.

But the transformation of the Reds in 2010 has been so marked in team strategy, in team culture and in confidence that the Faingaa brothers are both riding it as well as driving it.

Centre Anthony, 23, has been one of Super 14's most improved performers over the opening five rounds with his sharp sidestep, straightening runs and timing of big tackles.

Dreadlocked hooker Saia was a forward of limited physical presence last year who was being ragdolled backwards time and again in tackles.

This season he has stepped up as a non-stop factor whose leg drive was bullocking him through defenders in the 50-10 thrashing of the Western Force last Sunday.

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Whereas two Force hookers couldn't hit a barn door with their lineout throws, Faingaa was all efficiency.

The duo have their mojo back. As much as the Reds wanted them to stay, the better news is that the brothers were just as eager.

"The reason we first came to the Reds last year was to be part of a developing team and now there's a mood where everyone can't wait to play," Anthony Faingaa said yesterday.

"The team is on the up. There are good relationships being built, a good culture and good methods around the team so we are both very keen to stay a part of it."

Faingaa said coach Ewen McKenzie's continued involvement was a substantial magnet.

Hooker Saia has responded to the front-row dialect that former Wallaby prop McKenzie speaks so well.

"We're very happy to have Anthony and Saia on board because they've delivered on everything asked of them this year," McKenzie said.

"We've been working hard behind the scenes since before Christmas on the retention of players and we still are.

"You'd like to think playing in a team showing great spirit and aptitude plus better consistency of results is attractive."

The Reds have a bye this weekend but fly to South Africa on Friday to prepare for matches against the Cheetahs (March 26), Sharks (April 3) and Lions (April 10).

More than 20 players are coming off contract at the Reds. It's a timing issue that the Queensland Rugby Union should have been smart enough to avoid with the Melbourne Rebels now hunting in the market place.

In-demand players need to make good choices too. Abrasive lock Adam Byrnes is a potential Wallaby if he stays with what is working at the Reds.

To gamble away that headstart by moving into a completely new pack at the Rebels next season in World Cup year would be folly in many eyes.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1225841566936

Higginbotham has also pledged to stay

[Burgs]

Certainly good news for the Reds, especially Anthony has come of age this year.
A handy parochial dig at Byrnes by the paper.
After Hooker I believe getting Higginbotham home, or a player like him, would be a huge boost for the Force, but fair play if they have been able to brainwash him

[palitu]

good, i like the reds, would have liked them to fall last week, but no dice. good on em!

[Sheikh]

Great news for the Reds.

I hope we can get brothers playing for the Force - going by the name of Pocock!

[GIGS20]

Why wouldn't Anthony play for the Reds until he dies? They were the only franchise who took the package deal when his brother was the hottest young prospect on the books and look at how he's repaying the faith they took!

I wonder if it's still a package and the Reds are keeping Saia to hold onto Anthony?

[TOCC]

"I've got to say - and I'm being genuine - we're very, very comfortable because we've learned from six years ago and we've been on the front foot for months now. Our number is in excess of 20 that we've signed up," Carmichael said.

"We've got some players we're still working through given there's a bit of competition in our team. We're still making our final plans but we're very very comfortable where we are at the moment.

"It's above 20 but I don't want to give more than that because there are players that are still on the fringe. We're determining if they are part of it or not. In the next couple of weeks, we'll be able to make an announcement once we've got all of that finalised."

Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael

looks like good times ahead, im assuming that number of 28 players is also factoring in the Academy players

[mudskipper]

Faingaa boys are working hard... Great to see Anthony at his best... nice double signing for the Redmen...

[GIGS20]

Faingaa boys are working hard... Great to see Anthony at his best... nice double signing for the Redmen...

Yeah, great work by the Reds after the Brumbies told Anthony he wasn't a Super 14 player.

I wonder if Mortlock will revive his career in Melbourne?

[mudskipper]

Anthony just kept breaking down... good to see him doing so well... Brumbies didn't require another mid field player... Anthony would get a run...