Reds have plenty back-ups
Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:19
The Reds have re-signed exciting young backs Brando Va'aulu and Charlie Fetoai and recruited 19-year-old former Australian schoolboy wing/fullback Rod Davies from the Brisbane Broncos, all on two year deals.
Both New Zealand-born 21-year olds, centre Fetoai and wing Va'aulu made their Reds debuts in 2007 and between them have racked up more than 30 Super 14 appearances.
Fetoai captained the Queensland Premier XV in last month's successful trial game against Auckland, while departing Reds fullback Chris Latham has tipped Va'aulu as a player to watch and a potential future fullback.
Davies, 19, is returning to rugby after two seasons with the Brisbane Broncos, who signed him straight out of school after he had played fullback in the same Australian Schools backline as Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale in 2006.
The former Ipswich Grammar School product, who hails from Rockhampton in central Queensland where he mainly played Rugby League, said he enjoyed his time with the Broncos but held fond memories of his Rugby Union experience as a member of the ARU's National Talent Squad.
"They [the NTS] really looked after me and I always knew I'd find myself back in Union," he said.
Davies was the GPS 100m sprint champion in his last year of school and his pace will be a real asset under the Reds expansive approach to the game.
"All three players are typical of the new generation Reds - fast, tough and skilful, with all round athletic ability," said QRU Performance Rugby Manager Ben Whitaker.
