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Despite people's state allegiances, the saying "When Queensland Rugby is strong, Australian Rugby is strong" still holds true even with two extra teams since that saying was coined.
Rugby needs to be strong across the board however it especially needs to have a real depth in the two traditional heartlands of Australian Rugby to ensure we are atracting as many juniors to the code as possible and to encourage competition for all Wallaby positions as well.
So, where to for the Reds into 2009 and beyond?
I really believe they have the makings of quite a strong squad based on some of the future stars of Australian Rugby.
Queensland continues to do well at the Under Age Nationals and feeding players into the Australian Schoolboys etc, they do junior development very well.
In my mind the Reds could really do with shifting the rest of the old brigade out now and really putting some trust in the new kids they already have.
Those that are or that need to go IMHO are:
Sam Cordingley
Ben Coutts
David Croft
Sean Hardman (Though may keep him as the one "heart and soul Queenslander" warrior)
Van Humphries
Herman Hunt
Peter Hynes
Chris Latham
Stephen Moore
Ed O'Donoghue
John Roe
Clinton Schifcofske
Morgan Turinui
Henari Veratau
Andrew Walker
Yup, that's sixteen players that I reckon have no place in a successful Reds future.
Give the Squad an enema, retain the really good young players they have by ensuring they get match time now (ie '09), recruit like buggery to snare some mid twenties players of note and then head overseas for an extensive Queensland tour.
Assuming fitness in the remaining Squad, that would leave a first pick XV something like:
1. Greg Holmes
2. Saia Faingaa
3. Rodney Blake
4. Hugh McMeniman
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Josh Afu
7. Poutasi Luafutu/AJ Gilbert
8. Leroy Houston
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Digby Ioane
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Lloyd Johansson
14. Chris Siale
15. Brando Va’aulu
16. Sean Hardman/Ole Avei/Geoff Abrams
17. Dayna Edwards
18. Rob Simmons
19. Scott Higginbotham
20. ???
21. Ben Lucas
22. Charlie Fetoai