Johansson sticks with the Reds

The Queensland Reds today announced the key signing of powerhouse centre Lloyd Johansson for a further two years.

Johansson, currently in France with the Australian U 21s team, said the quality of the players that had recently re-signed with the Reds and the prospect of working with new coach Eddie Jones were key factors in his decision to remain in Queensland.

Jones said he was delighted the Red were able to keep Johansson.

“This is a key signing on the back of Rodney Blake and Berrick Barnes both deciding to stay,” Jones said.

“Competition for good players is very intense in a highly inflated market, so retaining Lloyd is a major coup for us and we’re looking forward to developing him into a first class player.”

Jones, in his first week at the helm at Ballymore, also said that the Reds were starting to build a good foundation for a competitive team for 2007.

“There are some good positive signs for us but we realise we have a way to go until we’re a top side again.”