The Reds have yet another coach in Phil Mooney, who is the former Australia U19 coach.  They have also made some decent acquisitions in an attempt to fix up their weak midfield.  Phil Mooney has been very vocal so far about changing the culture of the team, but he remains unproven at the S14 level.

On paper the Reds will field quite a decent side this year.  However, the big question is if they can turn around their losing culture and lack of confidence and combinations.  Notably, the two Queensland sides in the MARC came second last and last, and were undeniably the two worst teams in the comp with both severely underperforming.  Mental scars caused by the last two seasons will linger for a long time on some of the current players.

Last year the Reds had an horrific injury toll, and paper thin depth.  Chris Latham, Sam Cordingley and Caleb Brown didn't even play a game, and main prop Greg Holmes didn't even last 2 games.  At times they had nearly 15 players out injured or suspended.  While the Reds are slowly rebuilding their depth, this year the Reds will really need a bit of luck with injuries to achieve a good result.  The midfield combination of Siale and Turinuri along with Barnes will prove crucial to the Reds this year, with both Siale and Turinuri being some of the standout players of the MARC.  The Reds will also be hoping that Horwill learns to control his temper.

Gains:
Van Humphries, lock (Japan)
Leroy Houston, number 8 (league)
Ben Daley, prop (rookie)
Robert Simmons, lock (rookie)
Josh Afu, blindside flank (rookie)
Chris Siale, inside centre (Waratahs)
Morgan Turinui, centre (Waratahs)
Digby Ioane, wing (Force)

Siale and Turinuri look to be the key signings for the Reds.  Siale shapes as the x-factor in the Reds backline.  The signing of Van Humphries will see McMeniman move to blindside flanker.

Losses:
Anthony Mathison, prop (retired)
Cam Treloar, lock (released, France somewhere)
Tom McVerry, loose forward (6,7,8) (Japan)
Mitchell Chapman, blindside flank (Brumbies)
Ben Mowen, number 8 (released, Waratahs)
Nic Berry, scrumhalf (France somewhere)
Ben Tune, centre (retired)

Nic Berry, Mitchell Chapmen and Ben Mowen are the notable losses.  Injury-prone Mowen had a very strong MARC and caused some questions to be asked over the wisdom of his release to sign the wayward former Waratahs wunderkind Houston.

Best Team: (15 to 1)
Chris Latham, Clinton Shifcoske, Mogan Turinuri, Chris Siale, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Sam Cordingley, John Roe, David Croft, Hugh McMeniman, Van Humphries, James Horwill, Rodney Blake, Stephen Moore, Greg Holmes
Reserves:
Sean Hardman, Ben Coutts, Ed O'Donoghue, Leroy Houston, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Andew Walker / Caleb Brown / Peter Hynes

Other players:
Herman Hunt (prop), Ben Daley (prop), Ole Avei (hooker / flanker), Geoff Abram (hooker / flanker), Rob Simmons (lock), A J Gilbert (openside), Josh Afu (blindside), Leroy Houston (no. 8 ), Lloyd Johansson (inside centre), Charlie Fetoai (centre), Brandon Va'aulu (wing), Henari Veratau (utility back).  Ben Lucas of the Reds' Academy will be covering scrumhalf and flyhalf in case of injury.

Strengths:
Forward pack, goal kicking, Chris Latham

Weaknesses:
Confidence and losing culture, lack of midfield combinations, depth apart from hooker but especially at scrumhalf and prop, coaching merry-go-round

Likely Finish:
Anywhere from 7 - 14.  If they can gain some confidence from the first few rounds then expect a few upsets and a solid mid-table finish.  The Reds have a good chance to get off to a good start against the Highlanders in Brisbane.  However, a few blowout losses could see the Reds' confidence hit rock bottom and them plummet to last again.  Over the past few years the Reds have had trouble concentrating for the full 80 minutes which could also hurt them.