Turinui axed as McKenzie 'builds depth'
Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:19
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie will use the three match tour of South Africa to improve the depth of the side in certain positions.
McKenzie said that while the Reds had overcome their horrid injury toll earlier this season, it would be folly to think improvements couldn't be made.
"We haven't won every game, so we're not kidding ourselves that we are killing it," McKenzie said.
"We're not resting on our laurels and we're not sitting here going we've got it all sorted. We've got to keep working within the squad and see if we have any untapped potential in the group that can make us better."
The strategy meant the experienced Morgan Turinui was an unlucky omission in the Reds' 26-man touring party, with McKenzie eager to develop new recruit Will Chambers in the No.13 jersey behind Wallaby outside centre Digby Ioane.
Another beneficiary of the innovation McKenzie is bringing to team selection is Reds Academy inside centre Ben Tapuai, who is yet to receive an opportunity in 2010 after making his Queensland and Super Rugby debut against the Crusaders last season.
McKenzie said Tapuai was the perfect example of a player who needs an opportunity should there be an injury to inside centre Anthony Faingaa, who re-signed with the Reds this week.
"We're only an injury away in some positions from being exposed, so we've got to make sure we work on the depth," he said.
"As much as Anthony has been doing a great job at 12, we haven't really given anyone else a go in that position, and we can't just assume he is going to play every minute of every game.
"I think young Ben Tapuai is a great prospect and we want to see how he goes."
Tapuai joins tighthead prop Jack Kennedy as the only players in the squad to have not received game time this season, although both have Super Rugby experience.
Wing Rod Davies is recovering well from a broken cheekbone and has been named in the touring squad, along with formerly injured playmaker Tim Walsh (hand).
Back row forward Ezra Taylor joins Tapuai, Kennedy, Davies and Walsh as the only members of the squad to not appear in the Reds 50-10 victory over the Force last Sunday.
The Reds will play three games in South Africa against the Cheetahs, Sharks and Lions before returning to Brisbane for a blockbuster clash with current Super 14 leaders, the Bulls.
* McKenzie also confirmed that 22 players had now committed to the Reds for 2011.
"As is already now public knowledge, Anthony and Saia Faingaa – two of the form players of the competition this year - are two we have re-contracted.
"But we are not focusing on announcing any more names at this stage.
"I realise that, given our history, Reds fans may start to feel jittery if we say nothing, so for their peace of mind I can confirm that we now have 22 players committed for next year and we are working through the process with others.
"We're less than halfway through the 2010 competition and it does us no good for the focus to be on who will be playing for the Reds in 2011. That's next year's squad and this year's squad still has a job to do – to win the next game and each one after that.
"But just because we're not rolling out a beauty parade of new signings doesn't mean we've been sitting on our hands. Reds fans can rest assured that we've been quietly working away at this for some months now and the squad we eventually unveil for 2011 will be an extremely competitive one."
The Reds will assemble at Brisbane international airport on Friday, before departing for Johannesburg via Sydney.
Their next match is against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday, March 26 (Saturday morning Brisbane time), followed by games against the Sharks and Lions before they return home for a Suncorp Stadium match against the competition leading Bulls on April 17.
Reds squad:
Forwards: Daniel Braid (vice-captain), Adam Byrnes, Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, Sean Hardman, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Jack Kennedy, Jake Schatz, Robert Simmons, Ezra Taylor, Laurie Weeks.
Backs: Will Chambers, Quade Cooper, Rod Davies, Anthony Faingaa, Will Genia (captain), Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Ben Tapuai, Brando Va'aulu, Tim Walsh.
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