Jim Tucker says departing Queensland Reds stars Mike Harris and Rod Davies deserve a good send off with a win against the Waratah

THE Reds tattoos on their bodies mark departing regulars Mike Harris and “Rocket” Rod Davies as Queensland players for life.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: Mike Harris of the Reds looks to offload the ball during the round 18 Super Rugby match between the Western Force and the Queensland Reds at nib Stadium on July 5, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

THE Reds tattoos on their bodies mark departing regulars Mike Harris and “Rocket” Rod Davies as Queensland players for life.

“For life” is a much harder term to process with the shifting sands of today’s professional footy codes.

Players and clubs have to constantly make calls on the best next move to enhance their futures.

As the song lyric goes, it will be one more time with feeling tomorrow night when they don the Reds jersey a final time when trying to knock off NSW.

You can’t colour a player moving on as less loyal when financial tipping points in contract talks, new recruitment directions, a change of scenery and gut feelings all weigh into it.

You can celebrate what two popular figures have devoted to the Reds over a combined 10 seasons covering the period from 2010 that has changed Queensland rugby forever.

Winger Davies and his flying feet have produced some of the most exhilarating on-field moments in his six seasons at the club.

Rod Davies has been a prolific try scorer for the Reds. Picture: Jono Searle

His 19 tries have included the first Reds hat-trick of the professional era in the 2011 semi-final win over the Blues and the finish to last year’s 95m try-of-the-season against the Sharks.

“To win that 2011 grand final with a lot of boys I went to school with is something with me forever,” the France-bound Davies said.

His jack rabbit impersonations when careering into space with staccato steps made him a cult figure for tries like his fine 2010 effort to help slay the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium,

“Aussie Mike”, from Auckland, hit the scene with a bang in 2011 with a two-try cameo against the Melbourne Rebels.

It was also the first sign he was a genius goalkicker, one he emphasised in 2012 by kicking more than 20 in a row.

More than that, he could link, he could wrestle back ball in midfield tackle situations and he could be an all-purpose figure. He played flyhalf, inside centre, outside centre and fullback for the Reds.

Both earned Test jerseys in top Reds outfits so the appreciation is a two-way street.

Players moving on is a fact of life. Enjoy the final 80 minutes in red from both.

A wing speedster and a gun goalkicker...they are two key elements the Reds must have on their shopping list to fill a significant void for next season.

Originally published as Jim Tucker says departing Queensland Reds stars Mike Harris and Rod Davies deserve a good send off with a win against the Waratah