QLD reds must be desperate
- Thread starter clontaago
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QUEENSLAND have resumed their chase for former Wallabies winger Andrew Walker after all but giving up on former New Zealand Maori centre Ryan Nicholas for the Super 14.
The Reds have reopened negotiations with Walker and his second division French club Gaillac to bolster their already-thin backline stocks.
With the Super 14 kick-off just nine days away, Queensland are resigned to losing Japan-based centre Nicholas after Wallabies fullback Chris Latham (knee) was ruled out for the season.
The Australian-born former Highlander is down to arrive at Ballymore after round four due to his Japanese league commitments with Suntory, which is seen as too late.
Reds coach Eddie Jones' hopes of Nicholas getting an early release rest on Suntory losing a playoff match this weekend, but Jones isn't expecting his old club to stumble.
Losing Nicholas is particularly worrying blow considering veteran Ben Tune is the only noted outside centre in Jones' squad, which plays its last trial tomorrow night against the Highlanders.
Tune's chequered injury history has partly added to the desperation to sign Walker, 33, to add flexibility and experience out wide.
The seven-Test back's signature could see league recruit Clinton Schifcofske groomed as back-up to Tune at No. 13.
Gaillac are currently sitting in the middle of the second division table and Walker is understood to be keen to return to the Super 14 under Jones, who first lured him from league to the Brumbies in 1999.
How desperate must QLD be to try and sign Walker. Maybe they should go after Terry Hill as well?
The Reds have reopened negotiations with Walker and his second division French club Gaillac to bolster their already-thin backline stocks.
With the Super 14 kick-off just nine days away, Queensland are resigned to losing Japan-based centre Nicholas after Wallabies fullback Chris Latham (knee) was ruled out for the season.
The Australian-born former Highlander is down to arrive at Ballymore after round four due to his Japanese league commitments with Suntory, which is seen as too late.
Reds coach Eddie Jones' hopes of Nicholas getting an early release rest on Suntory losing a playoff match this weekend, but Jones isn't expecting his old club to stumble.
Losing Nicholas is particularly worrying blow considering veteran Ben Tune is the only noted outside centre in Jones' squad, which plays its last trial tomorrow night against the Highlanders.
Tune's chequered injury history has partly added to the desperation to sign Walker, 33, to add flexibility and experience out wide.
The seven-Test back's signature could see league recruit Clinton Schifcofske groomed as back-up to Tune at No. 13.
Gaillac are currently sitting in the middle of the second division table and Walker is understood to be keen to return to the Super 14 under Jones, who first lured him from league to the Brumbies in 1999.
How desperate must QLD be to try and sign Walker. Maybe they should go after Terry Hill as well?
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Canteen Worker
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Sounds radical and he may be past his best but keep him on track and he could be good for a season or two as long as a couple of mobile forwards do his defence.
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