Queensland Reds squad dissection:

The Reds are a team that I was sure would finish at the bottom of the points table this time last year,because of their lac of experience in the back line. But their youngsters proved me wrong and to the end of the comp really came into their own and played some free flowing rugby. This year those youngsters would improve their skills even more and become more confident in playing at the highest level of the game. That would just be boosted by the new recruits in the form of James O’Conner and Henry Speight which are two of the more exciting players to have on your team. Their experience and the exuberance of the now not so youngsters would be good for the 2011 Champions.

They did loose some experience in the team with Samu Kerevi, Scott Higginbotham and Caleb Timu leaving the franchise. They also obtained a few new recruits this season that strengthened their back line, but there was no real substantial forward signing to fill the void of Caleb and Scott. Look to no other than Izack Rodda to lead the forwards and take charge of the engine room.

Players to look out for:

James O’Conner : He is one of the newbies in the team, but he would be a huge asset for any team. After his northern hemisphere expedition he came back a more reliable player and someone who has a real brain for rugby; hopefully we will also see some of the form that got him in the Aussies setup at the age of 18.

Henry Speight: This veteran wing will add speed and direction to the back line. He might be approaching his twilight years, but he still has a few more years to give. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of him at the Reds than we did at the Brumbies as the Brumbies are a forward dominated team with their hooker, Folau Fainga’a, being their number one try scorer last year Speight was under utilized there. Look to the reds to bring him into the game a lot more.

Izack Rodda: This Aussie regular will look to inspire the rest of the forwards to do all the donkey work for the team. He will have to work even harder without Scott and Caleb there, but look to the youngsters to put up their hands and claim the starting positions for themselves this season. He still has a mountain of work to do, but with all his experience he’ll definitely lead the forwards in the right direction.

New Players this season:

Sean Farrell (Hooker), Tom Kibble (Flanker), Josh Nasser (Prop), Seru Uru (Flanker), Michael Wood (Flanker), Carter Gordon (Flyhalf), Scott Malolua (Scrumhalf), James O’Connor (Utility back), Henry Speight (Wing)

Players that left:

 Scott Higginbotham, Adam Korczyk, Gavin Luka, Efi Ma’afu, Ruan Smith, Caleb Timu, Will Eadie, Samu Kerevi, Sefa Naivalu, Duncan Paia’aua, Teti Tela, Aidan Toua, James Tuttle.