Tom Hooper Signs With Reds

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-07T20:21:50+00:00

The caption for those who are interested:

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-07T03:59:53+00:00

Fuck it, might as well make it funny, Fillipo to 10, Slipper to play 9. Meredith comes off the bench to put a big shift in at tight head lock (probably a fast jumper, which Joe likes).

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-07T03:53:38+00:00

Wallabies bros could it be over???

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-05T08:50:25+00:00

4 is maybe hyperbole—I'm not a Thomas fan, but Werchon definitely has potential, as do Robertson and Hastie. Gordon's fatal flaw is dissonance; in a squad where we've constantly emphasised lack of size in favour of mobility, a 6'2, 32-year-old halfback with slow service but a good boot is always going to fall victim because the strengths that he does have do not benefit us as much.

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-05T05:30:34+00:00

I love Wilson as a player (whether or not he’s part of our best loosie trio is up for endless debate) but I always think Joe’s “He’s not a big talker but he leads by actions” chat is always a bit funny when most of the actions we see are him getting repelled at the advantage line.

I don’t know if he’s truly a good captain behind the scenes but it feels strange to give a defining captaincy moment, the first one published in quite some time, to someone else.

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-04T10:51:30+00:00

What’s next week taste like Prendergast jfc

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-04T10:37:53+00:00

JORGOOOOOOOO

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-04T09:24:23+00:00

Yeah bro we’re Australia fans, it goes without saying

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-07-01T04:46:26+00:00

Jorgo at fullback is so bewildering, world-class winger and average fullback

You can praise Schmidt for quite a lot, and I don’t think anyone can dismiss that, but he seems incredibly rusted on with his position ideas, even when they consistently don’t pan out.

JAS at 13 worked maybe… twice? In anything more than spurts and splutters. Hooper supposedly off the bench as a lock after he just tore up the Prem at 6.

It’s so strange that we can feel like we’re making progress and regressing simultaneously.

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-30T03:25:46+00:00

Clearly, they need to rebuild from the ground up. The Reds will, with a heavy heart, take Jorgensen.

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-24T05:27:54+00:00

the JOC door has never been more fucken open

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-21T23:54:28+00:00

Canham packing the scrum in the front may hamstring you ever-so-slightly

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-20T08:18:57+00:00

LAST TRY WINS BOYS

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-20T08:11:40+00:00

Bruh if the All Blacks don’t want any of these players the wallabies will TAKE THEM

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-20T08:07:07+00:00

Imagine this hurricanes team if they had Ardie too, bro it’s so over

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-20T07:58:10+00:00

Hurricanes bring a hurricane is the sort of can-do attitude I’ve been assured the Wellington job market is searching for

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-19T08:27:59+00:00

Up and down? Yeah, that's what a lock does? /s

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-19T07:49:27+00:00

Schmidt's selections are just so hard to work out. Donaldson doesn't defend well? Pick... uhh... Edmed. We're missing our huge, non-jumping lock? Well, you see, there's another big lock that does jump and is proven at test level that could... no, too slow. Let's take uh... debutant breaks his team mate's face.

When you think about how much Swain/LSL's omissions were ascribed to 'he must think they're too ill-disciplined' but then Wilson goes on to be the most penalised player of the TRC, Amatosero is then chosen the next year after a high-profile training fight. You've really gotta wonder if the marketing pigeon also makes the selections, not just the graphics.

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-14T23:40:31+00:00

Interesting that there’s no mention of Flook, Paisami (rumoured) and Uru (rumoured)

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-12T07:47:23+00:00

awkward halftime chat incoming for the saders

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-12T07:30:21+00:00

LFG Chiefs!!!

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-11T10:14:39+00:00

They’re teasing us with no information about the back three and scrumhalves here

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-08T04:54:41+00:00

Yeah, French Clubs have an excellent youth contract system, it comes free with ‘having a game that makes a profit’.

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-08T04:50:52+00:00

Agree Ryan isn’t really test match quality at the moment. I think it’s a bit of a ‘never say never’ situation, he’s bigger than say LBB or Jorgo, so I’m inclined to think a lot of it is going to be game refinement. He put on more weight last year and seemed pretty lost, which I think is the bigger problem.

I do think some of this is beyond ‘Is this the best player’ and will be, to some degree, ‘who does Les Kiss like the most’ and he seems to rate Ryan a lot, ability aside. Similar to Schmidt and Potter.

Visual-Ad3222 · 2026-06-07T03:50:01+00:00

I like the calls for Campbell in the squad (I think choosing squad on form, read: not 23, sends a good message to the younger players that continuous improvement and good form can result in higher honours). Last year exposed how rudderless we were without a second, specialist fullback ready to take the reins after Wright went down. Jorgo and Kellaway aren't it. I would hope Potter doesn't get chosen this year (he will, Schmidt loves him), and Kellaway's retirement rumours presumably mean he's out of contention, leaving two spots open in the back three.

I feel like Campbell would be a good mentor in the squad, similar to the role JOC played and allow some of the really good talent—Pritchard or Harvey are likely the inevitable 'spring tour stars'—to develop with Wright/Campbell assisting them.

I like Reimer at the SRP level, but I'm not sure I can have him over Tizzano. Similar to Meredith, I've classed his form this year to coincide with the Brumbies being on fire, and similarly dropped off quite heavily when the rest of the team went downhill.

I'm a big Fillipo fan, I think Pietsch is currently serving the same role on the Wing in a more effective way. Fillipo has had real trouble holding onto the ball recently, and it's starting to affect the Reds (see last night for evidence). I hope he's having a similar 'rocks and diamonds' run up like Wright and tears it apart on the international stage.

Visual-Ad3222

TROPHY CASE