Quote Tre Cool="Tre Cool"The squad he put together at Griffin Park was infinitely better than this one and there weren't really the local lads available at the time. I'd rather have 4 or 5 locals in the squad and win some more games.'"
In Rea's time in charge we lost Darrell Griffin (gone on to have a solid SL career) and James Brooks (went on to have a solid RU career - would have been an excellent hooker). Plus the likes of Iain Morrison, Stefan Hughes and Ed Jennings were never given a fair crack of the whip.
I'm certain in my mind that he preferred a seasoned Aussie who would give average performances every week than work with a youngster who would have ups and downs but potentially deliver more over the long term. That was my view back then, and it remains my view now.
I'd also say that I didn't like the way he behaved when sacking John Monie (who himself had been coaching an inherited team), signing the players Monie had earmarked for the new season, and then appointing himself head coach.