RUGBY UNION: Quins bank on pack power

10:30am Friday 31st August 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

Sione Vaiomo’unga is back at Oxford Harlequins Sione Vaiomo’unga is back at Oxford Harlequins

Season preview - National 3 South West

OXFORD Harlequins manager Steve Chadbone said their pack had never been so strong as they head into the new season.

Quins only avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last April, but they believe forward power and some talented youngsters will stand them in better stead this time.

“The forwards are as strong as they have ever been,” said Chadbone.

“The guys are fit enough and have been doing everything right, so we’ll see how we go.”

Quins, who will be led by director of rugby Tevita Vaikona, got off to a terrible start in 2011-12 and are determined to hit the ground running this time.

“We are trying to put everything right that was totally wrong last year,” said Chadbone.

“There is a lot more depth with the squad we now have.

“Tevita has brought a lot of the younger guys through to train with the senior players.

“It is a big step up, but he is keen for them to take it.”

Quins have signed five players in Jack Briggs, Ben Greenhay, Matt Reeves, Harry Whittington and Alan Johnson, while Geoff Hally, Pete Kelly, Adam Neal, Charlie Ward, Jack Crowe and Ashley Whittington step up from the Oxford Academy .

They have also been boosted by the return of Tonga international flanker Sione Vaiomo’unga.

Quins lost 21-19 to Grove and were hammered 75-14 by Chinnor in friendlies.

But Chadbone was not too worried, stressing: “We were using a lot of youth and development players.

“We will need 45 players this year, so it is important to give people a go.”

Jamie Cope will work alongside Vaikona as forwards coach, with Jamie Lakin assisting the backs.

They will still be playing as Oxford Harlequins as the full merger with the old Oxford club continues to drag on.

Chairman Ron Macdonald said there were still legal issues to deal with, but this should be the final campaign before ‘Oxford Rugby’ officially take the field.

IN: M Reeves (Birmingham & Solihull, back row), H Whittington (Amsterdam, full back), A Johnson (Sheffield Tigers, centre/wing), J Briggs (Alchester, wing), B Greenhay (UWIC, prop), A Neil (lock), C Ward (back row), J Crowe (centre), A Whittington (back row), G Hally (prop), P Kelly (centre) (all ex-Oxford Academy).

OUT: S Steventon (Henley Hawks, prop), M Nutt (Henley Hawks, full back), J Hall (Musselburgh, prop).

LAST SEASON: 11th.

PREDICTION: Mid-table.

TOMORROW'S TEAM

Oxford Harlequins (v Barnstaple, home): H Whittington, Briggs, Sage, Kelly, Cosins, Stevenson, Maspero, Chadbone (capt), Edney, Hally, Forde, Powell, Reeves, Vaiomo’unga, Rees. Reps from Greenhay, Crowe, Ward, Neal.

Comments (11)

2:12pm Fri 31 Aug 12

bertandernie says...

So these legal issues with the merger have now dragged on for over a year. Seems odd. Hopefully it's about the 'old Oxford club' (nice reference) protecting their assets from what is increasingly looking like a takeover rather than a merger
So these legal issues with the merger have now dragged on for over a year. Seems odd. Hopefully it's about the 'old Oxford club' (nice reference) protecting their assets from what is increasingly looking like a takeover rather than a merger bertandernie

2:13pm Fri 31 Aug 12

bertandernie says...

So these legal issues with the merger have now dragged on for over a year. Seems odd. Hopefully it's about the 'old Oxford club' (nice reference) protecting their assets from what is increasingly looking like a takeover rather than a merger
So these legal issues with the merger have now dragged on for over a year. Seems odd. Hopefully it's about the 'old Oxford club' (nice reference) protecting their assets from what is increasingly looking like a takeover rather than a merger bertandernie

3:45pm Fri 31 Aug 12

qwerty says...

Would be interested to hear your rationale as to why you think it's a takeover and not a merger?

Guess that things must be quiet on Sesame Street at the moment?
Would be interested to hear your rationale as to why you think it's a takeover and not a merger? Guess that things must be quiet on Sesame Street at the moment? qwerty

6:53pm Fri 31 Aug 12

bertandernie says...

The fact what should be a simple merger has dragged on for well over a year. The reference in the article to the 'old Oxford club' in the article. And the fact that, to the best of my knowledge, no senior Oxford player is still with the club.

Seems like there's been a fair exodus of Quins players too (mainly to Henley and Grove) which suggests they haven't been too thrilled with how it's all been handled either.

Hope that helps clarify things for you
The fact what should be a simple merger has dragged on for well over a year. The reference in the article to the 'old Oxford club' in the article. And the fact that, to the best of my knowledge, no senior Oxford player is still with the club. Seems like there's been a fair exodus of Quins players too (mainly to Henley and Grove) which suggests they haven't been too thrilled with how it's all been handled either. Hope that helps clarify things for you bertandernie

8:25pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Will2Win4 says...

I think take over is the best way to put it, as there is no longer a single Oxford RFC senior player playing any more.
I think take over is the best way to put it, as there is no longer a single Oxford RFC senior player playing any more. Will2Win4

7:48am Sat 1 Sep 12

felixthecat7 says...

Interesting conspiracy theories. It might be unfair to say the players “exodus” is about the takeover, it could be just that they are ambitious players who want to play to their potential. I think Steventon was the last remaining Oxford RFC player, having played for them since age 8/9, but after playing for England Counties U20’s last year it might be reasonable to expect him to move on. Loyalty has to work both ways. Let's hope for some good competitive rugby from all this season.
Interesting conspiracy theories. It might be unfair to say the players “exodus” is about the takeover, it could be just that they are ambitious players who want to play to their potential. I think Steventon was the last remaining Oxford RFC player, having played for them since age 8/9, but after playing for England Counties U20’s last year it might be reasonable to expect him to move on. Loyalty has to work both ways. Let's hope for some good competitive rugby from all this season. felixthecat7

11:23am Sat 1 Sep 12

bertandernie says...

Felix, not denying people with ambition wanting to move on but plenty of players from both Quins and Oxford have left for clubs at the same or lower level, with the 'merger' and the way it's been handled a big factor, certainly from what I know of Oxford players
Felix, not denying people with ambition wanting to move on but plenty of players from both Quins and Oxford have left for clubs at the same or lower level, with the 'merger' and the way it's been handled a big factor, certainly from what I know of Oxford players bertandernie

12:04pm Sat 1 Sep 12

qwerty says...

I didn't realise that Oxford had any players in the first place?
I didn't realise that Oxford had any players in the first place? qwerty

8:20am Sun 2 Sep 12

bertandernie says...

top work qwerty, nicely encapsulating the Quins attitude that makes it appear a takeover rather than a merger
top work qwerty, nicely encapsulating the Quins attitude that makes it appear a takeover rather than a merger bertandernie

11:12am Sun 2 Sep 12

Chinnor_Fan says...

The same old same old from Quins. The "Oxford Cuckoos" seem to be trying to throw the Oxford RFU eggs out of the nest now. The question that needs to be asked is "Who owns the assets?" - bet that isnt Quins and thats why this "mergeover" is taking forever. The house at the end of the road is the key I bet.

Good start for Quins yesterday as well - pack needs some work it seems.
The same old same old from Quins. The "Oxford Cuckoos" seem to be trying to throw the Oxford RFU eggs out of the nest now. The question that needs to be asked is "Who owns the assets?" - bet that isnt Quins and thats why this "mergeover" is taking forever. The house at the end of the road is the key I bet. Good start for Quins yesterday as well - pack needs some work it seems. Chinnor_Fan

8:11pm Sun 2 Sep 12

Savant says...

Love to see all the experts having their say! Bert, could do with your help in pointing out the simple bits of the merger. One of the difficult bits is know-alls having their say, running things down and doing nothing helpful.
Anyway, keep the unfounded nonsense coming as I will enjoy quoting it later on this season.
Love to see all the experts having their say! Bert, could do with your help in pointing out the simple bits of the merger. One of the difficult bits is know-alls having their say, running things down and doing nothing helpful. Anyway, keep the unfounded nonsense coming as I will enjoy quoting it later on this season. Savant

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