"Loyal Holmes staying with Reds" - theres a sting in this story
Looked like a nice good news story for the Reds until I read on............
Loyal Holmes staying with Reds
By Jim Morton
March 10, 2008 WALLABIES prop Greg Holmes has delivered some welcome good news to Super 14 strugglers Queensland by agreeing to stick with the Reds for an extra season.
World Cup tourist Holmes has opted against a using an option in his contract to look elsewhere for 2009 and explained he was driven to helping the Reds fight their way out of the mire.
The 13-Test loose-head's decision is a fantastic boost for the Queensland Rugby Union as they battle to retain and recruit big names during their poor start to the season.
It comes as coach Phil Mooney is set to reinstate exciting young gun Quade Cooper in his starting side for Saturday night's clash with the defending champion Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.
The quick-stepping Cooper, in the sights of several NRL clubs, is likely to replace out-of-form Morgan Turinui in the backline to inject spark alongside overworked playmaker Berrick Barnes.
Holmes said he hoped his early call would have a positive influence for the Reds to keep fellow Test front-rowers Stephen Moore and Rodney Blake.
"They're both great players and we're all the same age (24-25) and it would be great to play together a few more years," he said.
"I've really enjoyed my time at Queensland even though the results haven't been great in the past few years.
"If we can keep the best players that we've got we can start winning and making finals, if one stays then hopefully the rest will follow."
Like Holmes, hooker Moore signed a two-year deal with a midway get-out clause last season and is in the sights of the Western Force and the Brumbies.
Cult hero "Rodzilla" Blake's Australian Rugby Union contract expires this year and it appears he'll be able to earn significantly more overseas with the ARU expected to offer him a downgraded contract.
Mooney is desperate to keep both despite dropping them last week after the painful 43-11 capitulation to the Brumbies in Canberra.
"Stephen is the incumbent Test hooker and he's a guy that's come through the (Reds) system, we'd dearly love to keep him," he said.
"And Rodney is a player that's certainly got a lot of unfulfilled potential."
On top of five seasons of under-performing, 11th-placed Queensland's 1-3 2008 record and mistake-riddled play has also hurt them at the negotiating table.
They are chasing hard to regain Brisbane product David Pocock from the Western Force after already failing to lure Brumbies No.8 Stephen Hoiles with a big offer. Oi F-off!!
The back-row is a major problem area as Mooney can't find the right balance without warhorse Hugh McMeniman (ankle).
It's likely to trigger a bench shake-up with Mooney considering a five-two forwards-backs split for more second half impact from his back-row.
Academy youngster Tasi Luafutu is a possible bolter to join 2006 Australian Under-19 teammate AJ Gilbert in the Reds 22.
The realigned bench would see Ben Lucas, who can play both halfback and five-eighth, come into contention to replace reserve halfback Will Genia.
Meantime, another young Queensland product, highly-regarded teenage five-eighth Matt Toomua, is set to make his Super 14 debut for the Brumbies in Friday night's home clash against the Hurricanes.
