Qld Reds shore up lock stocks
The Queensland Reds have bolstered their forward stocks for the 2011 Super 15 by signing former Brumbies lock Adam Wallace-Harrison on a two-year deal.
Wallace-Harrison becomes the Reds' 30th player signed up for next year but coach Ewen McKenzie is still looking to build his list to contend with the longer 20-week season.
Australian teams have been told to reduce their squad to 30 full-contracted players from 2011.
But after the Reds used 37 players this year in their remarkable rise from second-last to fifth, McKenzie is aiming to have a larger squad bolstered by a stronger Reds Academy.
"While everyone is focussed on the 30 I'm working with the academy because that will play a pretty big role," he said.
"We hit the wall in round 10 as guys started to fall (with injuries) ... so it's going to be important to have depth."
A 2005 Wallabies tourist, Wallace-Harrison shores up the second-row options as he returns home after three seasons playing in Japan.
The Perth-born 30-year-old began his professional career with the Reds in 2003 before moving to Canberra in 2005 to play 37 Super matches for the Brumbies.
"To some extent he has some unfinished business in Queensland and Australia," McKenzie said.
"He didn't really get the opportunities with the Reds or Wallabies last time around so this is his chance to make a statement."
A 200cm lock who can call lineouts as well as play blindside flanker, Wallace-Harrison joins James Horwill, Van Humphries, Rob Simmons and Radike Samo as Queensland's tall timber.
The Reds have waved good-bye to Ireland-bound Kiwi recruit Ezra Taylor as well as Adam Byrnes who will play for the Melbourne Rebels.
Wallace-Harrison is determined to do more than make up the numbers.
"Obviously, I also have some career goals of my own and, having seen where the Reds are heading, it's pretty clear that grabbing this opportunity and making the most of it will be my best chance of achieving them," he said.
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