Reds trio opts for Varsity rugby
Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:14
Three of the Reds' new forward pack recruits for 2009 have opted to play their Premier Rugby with the University club next season.
Prop Laurie Weeks, lock Adam Byrnes and former Highlanders No 8 Ezra Taylor will make the Red Heavies even heavier in 2009 and the prospect has delighted new coach Mick Heenan.
"Laurie comes to us with big wraps from his previous club and he had a great year with the Sydney Uni premiership side in 2008," Heenan said.
"Adam brings size and a hard edge to the forward pack. He is very aggressive, as is Ezra, and both will help us establish a culture built around aggression at the ball."
All three players cited better opportunities as the motivation for their move to Brisbane.
"I felt that I had a better chance of achieving my goals in Queensland through the Reds and I was impressed with their set-up," said Byrnes, who has made the move north from Sydney after a stint in Europe.
"I was equally impressed with the facilities at University and their strong history which helped me decide which premier club to play for."
For Weeks, it was a natural decision to play for Uni next season.
"Having played for Sydney University I was familiar with the environment and the structure as they are pretty similar to one another," he said.
