Reds add Simmons to squad
Simmons joins QR Reds
Thursday, 27 September 2007
The QR Queensland Reds have signed boom eighteen year-old lock Robert Simmons to a one year deal.
Simmons has been playing with the MFS East Coast Aces in the Mazda Australian Rugby Championship after making his debut for Sunnybank in Premier Rugby this year.
QR Reds forwards coach Mark Bell is excited to have the rookie lock on the Reds roster.
“He’s outstanding…he’s a young guy who has huge potential and a big future in rugby.
“His enthusiasm is the biggest thing at the moment, but also his physical stature.
“He’s got a long way to go with his rugby and it’s a learning curve for him at the moment…but coming in and playing with the older players is a great advantage for him and us,” Bell said.
Simmons, who stands 2 metres tall and weighs in at 114kg, bolsters the Reds second row stocks and will join recruit Van Humphries in competing for spots with James Horwill and Ed O’Donoghue.
“It creates a bit of competition and a young bloke on the scene creates a bit of pressure on everyone so it’s a good environment for him,” Bell said.
Bell and QR Reds head coach Phil Mooney have seen Simmons develop through the Australian Under 19 team.
“I’ve had a bit to do with him with the (Australian) 19’s when we went away to Ireland and he was outstanding over there…his development in five weeks was huge.
Simmons is a product of the Southport School and represented Queensland and Australian Schoolboys in 2006 before joining the Reds Academy in 2007.
Reds add Simmons to squad
September 27, 2007 - 3:55PM
Monster lock Robert Simmons has something to show for the East Coast Aces' disappointing Australian Rugby Championship campaign - a one year Queensland Reds deal.
The Aces may be second last on the ARC table with one game to go but it has not stopped the in-form Simmons, 18, being snapped up by the Super 14 outfit.
The two metre, 114kg Southport teenager only made his senior debut for Brisbane Premier Rugby outfit Sunnybank this year.
"His enthusiasm is the biggest thing at the moment, but also his physical stature," Reds forwards coach Mark Bell said.
"He's a young guy who has huge potential and a big future in rugby."
Simmons will join recruit Van Humphries in competing for second row Reds spots with James Horwill and Ed O'Donoghue.
"It creates a bit of competition and a young bloke on the scene creates a bit of pressure on everyone so it's a good environment for him," Bell said.
Simmons was groomed by Bell and Reds coach Phil Mooney in the Australian under 19 team which finished third at the 2007 world championships at Ireland.
"I've had a bit to do with him with the (Australian) 19s when we went away to Ireland (in April) and he was outstanding over there - his development in five weeks was huge," Bell said.
Simmons represented Queensland and Australian Schoolboys in 2006 before joining the Reds Academy this year.
The Aces finish their ARC season against last-placed Ballymore in Brisbane on Saturday.
