Turinui not in Reds side for Africa tour

Turinui not in Reds side for Africa tour

By Jim Morton, AAP March 18, 2010, 10:38 am
http://l.yimg.com/fv/xp/aap/20100318...jtqvv.Wu_.hw--AAP © Enlarge photo






Former Wallabies vice-captain Morgan Turinui is a surprise exclusion from the 26-man Queensland Reds squad to tour South Africa.


Despite starting the first four games of the Super 14, the classy outside centre has been left out completely for the three-match tour.


Reds coach Ewen McKenzie admitted Wallabies three-quarter Digby Ioane's successful switch to the midfield against the Western Force on Sunday had been a major factor in the decision.


McKenzie also has former Melbourne Storm centre Will Chambers, a project player at No.13, in the squad.


Turinui is the only member of the 22 which defeated the Force 50-10 not travelling to South Africa where the sixth-placed Reds have winnable games against the Cheetahs, Sharks and Lions.


One of 23 off-contract players at Ballymore, it leaves the 28-year-old's future under a huge cloud.


Winger Rod Davies has recovered from a fractured cheekbone to make the trip along with fellow reinforcements prop Jack Kennedy, back-rower Ezra Taylor, centre Ben Tapuai and back-up five-eighth Tim Walsh.


While the Reds have only announced the re-signing of Saia and Anthony Faingaa from 23 off-contract players, McKenzie revealed 22 players had already committed to the 2011 Super 15 season.


Queensland squad: Forwards - Daniel Braid, Adam Byrnes, Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, Sean Hardman, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Jack Kennedy, Jake Schatz, Robert Simmons, Ezra Taylor, Laurie Weeks.

Backs - Will Chambers, Quade Cooper, Rod Davies, Anthony Faingaa, Will Genia (capt), Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Ben Tapuai, Brando Va'aulu, Tim Walsh.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...r-africa-tour/

Seeya Morgan, start studying for your Coaching Certificate, hate to see that "brain" go to waste.

a article about turinui, yet they use a photo of A. Faingaa

I wonder if that is at all related to Turinui not signing a contract (is he off contract) or if its more to do with the sensational form of Faingaa. If we aren't ready for this coming World Cup, we should at least have a pretty awesome Wallabies team for the 2013 Lions series.

I wouldnt be surprised if it does have to do with a contract issue, but then again Link has shown Turinui the door previously when they were down in NSW together