Queensland Reds to tour Ireland

[Thequeerone]

Reds coach Phil Mooney will take a 26-man squad two days after the Brisbane club grand final and play matches against Ulster, Connacht, Leinster and Munster A.


Queensland Reds to tour Ireland - Breaking News - Sport - Breaking News

[Darren]

That sounds like a fantastic tour - Good on 'em!

[Thequeerone]

Wondering if Rocky would be there in time for them

[laura]

Reds head to Ireland
18th July 2008, 11:00 WST

The Queensland Reds will begin preparations for the 2009 Super 14 early with a four-match development tour of Ireland in August and September.

Reds coach Phil Mooney will take a 26-man squad two days after the Brisbane club grand final and play matches against Ulster, Connacht, Leinster and Munster A.

more...Reds head to Ireland : thewest.com.au

[prop53]

Good tour maybe better then the Force as.

[TOCC]

from what i understand the irish unions are practically bankrolling the tour for the Reds, otherwise the QRU couldnt afford it.

[GIGS20]

Yeah this "extended tour of europe" thing must be SOOO much cheaper than the ARC surely!

[laura]

Agreed.

The tours would obviously increase the fan base for the Aussie clubs, especially in their home towns. pfffft how stupid!

This does nothing for the name of Rugby in Australia, we dont benefit from these tours at all. Sure thing the players do and in turn their ability can improve and we get a better season next year, but could that not have been solved by keeping the ARC? Atleast the fans would be able to watch on tv or live and the players would feel a little more support and Rugby clubs would make more money for their states and keep the money in the state AND Rugby would have more development in this country.

[James]

This does nothing for the name of Rugby in Australia, we dont benefit from these tours at all. Sure thing the players do and in turn their ability can improve and we get a better season next year, but could that not have been solved by keeping the ARC? Atleast the fans would be able to watch on tv or live and the players would feel a little more support and Rugby clubs would make more money for their states and keep the money in the state AND Rugby would have more development in this country.

I don't think there is a person on this site who doesn't agree with you there Laura.
We can only hope that the ARU sees that without a 3rd tier comp we have to go on overseas tours and finally do something for us. But if we host an tour, like with Georgia, at least thats a few more games in Perth to go see.

But I suppose I can't complain too much about the UK tour because I get to go to some of the games.

[TOCC]

im as dissapointed as the next bloke that the ARC is cancelled, but we have to be realistic and admit that the ARU couldnt continue a competition that lost close to $5million/season, rugby union in australia doesnt have the financial backing to cover those losses.

anyway back to the Reds tour of Ireland, should be a good development tour for them, wonder if they will play under the full ELV's

[James]

im as dissapointed as the next bloke that the ARC is cancelled, but we have to be realistic and admit that the ARU couldnt continue a competition that lost close to $5million/season, rugby union in australia doesnt have the financial backing to cover those losses.

I reckon they could easily stream-line things to a $2 million or less a season. I think the 4 big things are a) only have it semi-professional or just pay everyone less b) the longer it lasts the more people who will get on board and c) for teams that don't attract much of an audience don't play at a big expensive ground and most importantly d) don't EVER underwrite clubs because frankly they just won't work hard enough to make the comp work.

[Flamethrower]

I'd add E) Don't try to start such a comp in a World Cup year.

[James]

I'd add E) Don't try to start such a comp in a World Cup year.

Good call.

[AndyS]

Reds head to Europe for development tour

Wallabies prop Greg Holmes and Australia A rugby skipper Morgan Turinui will co-captain the Queensland Reds on a development tour in Europe later this month.
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Middle bit here
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The squad will leave Brisbane on August 19 and will play matches against Irish sides Ulster, Connacht and Leinster and French provincial side, Nice.

Squad:
Greg Holmes (co-capt), Albert Anae, Adam Byrnes, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Jack Kennedy, Poutasi Luafutu, Jake Schatz, Andrew Shaw, Shon Siemonek, Robert Simmons, James Slipper, Morgan Turinui (co-capt), Anthony Faingaa, Charlie Fetoai, Will Genia, James Harvey, Digby Ioane, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Ben Tapuai, Aidan Toua.

[TOCC]

if Humphries and Turinui are in the squad to tour then it might mean they will be with the Reds in 2009?

New Signing:
REDS Academy
Andrew Shaw (son of former wallaby and reds captain)
Jono Lance (son of former premiership winning radiers captain)

S14 Sqaud:
Adam Byrnes (NSW Academy)
James Hanson(Reds Acadamey)
Jack Kennedy (ACT Academy)
Aidan Toua (Reds Academy)