A “new era” in Queensland rugby has been promised by Ewen McKenzie, but the incoming Reds coach is sweating on what role Wallabies star Quade Cooper plays in it.
Queensland’s new all-red home playing strip for the 2010 Super 14 was unveiled on Wednesday.
But McKenzie had no doubt been seeing red since Cooper’s arrest for burglary on Sunday.
Cooper, 21, has been bailed to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Friday.
“I had a discussion with him but obviously he has things coming up this week which he needs to organise,” McKenzie said of Cooper.
“It’s a difficult time for him obviously, but it’s outside of my control.
“I was not expecting him back (from leave after Wallabies duty) until January 13.
“I have seen him earlier for the wrong reasons but I can’t change that.”
Officials are expected to consider in the coming weeks whether Cooper should be stood down until the matter is finalised.
It is hardly the start McKenzie had in mind when he took over the coaching reins from Phil Mooney.
“You know in sport every week is different,” McKenzie said.
“This week has had its distractions but at the same time it is a distraction outside the squad, the squad has been very focused on their preparation.
“We have been talking about what we are going to do on the field to improve.”
Cooper had been attending the buck’s night of Reds and Wallabies team-mate Peter Hynes before the alleged weekend incident on the Gold Coast.
It was also reported that Cooper was subjected to independent blood and urine tests upon his release from the watch house.
The ARU and QRU have denied they were behind the tests.
While Cooper was a glaring absentee at the Reds function on Wednesday, Hynes officially unveiled the new playing strip but would not comment on Cooper.
However, Reds captain James Horwill said Cooper could count on his team-mates’ support.
“It’s disappointing to see the headlines out there,” Horwill said.
“But we will wait and see. It’s obviously something we can’t comment much on until after Friday.
“Of course we support Quade as a team-mate but we will wait and see what all the facts are, so until then we don’t know.”
ARU and Queensland officials met with Cooper in Brisbane on Tuesday for the first time since he was charged.
The Rugby Union Players Association has also been in contact with Cooper.
Despite the controversy, McKenzie still had bold plans for 2010.
He said the all-red strip epitomised the new direction he would be taking the rugby battlers.
“I like innovation. I like change. I don’t think it (new strip) is radical, I just think it is a way of defining a new era, a new point in time,” he said.
“You’ve got to make those statements so people understand that it is not more of the same.
“We are all about trying to do something different next year.
“This is a physical sign and hopefully people will see it also in the way we play.
“You don’t fix things overnight but we are doing things differently because we know what we have done in the past hasn’t been good enough.”
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December 10th 2009 @ 6:15pm
John allyne said | December 10th 2009 @ 6:15pm | Report comment
If i was Link i would try and sign Halangahu and Carter from the Tahs, both know how to win ,playing for Uni,and as their not Eastwood players have no chance of playing for the Tahs.
December 11th 2009 @ 7:54am
formeropenside said | December 11th 2009 @ 7:54am | Report comment
No. Thats a terrible idea.
December 11th 2009 @ 8:11am
reds fan said | December 11th 2009 @ 8:11am | Report comment
agreed. not a chance in hell.
December 10th 2009 @ 7:51pm
Parisien said | December 10th 2009 @ 7:51pm | Report comment
Harry you are right, there is not much else he can say.
I don’t know him and repeat that I hope he and the Reds go well but McKenzie was criticised in Paris by his employer Max Guazzini the president of Stade Francais for professionel incompetence and was accused of not adequately preparing the players. Guazzini said he didn’t work the players or motivate them, and for someone so highly paid spent an inordinate amount of time away from the club and players. He made no effort to improve his French and kept apart.
And then when he was sacked he spat the dummy and was disloyal to the club and its players in his comments. This was all reported in l’Equipe about six weeks ago but didn’t seem to appear in the Australian press.
The Reds last year were one of the best teams to watch, even if they didn’t win many matches, and I hope that in the pursuit of more wins they don’t cease to play attractive running rugby. I agree that getting the forwards into shape has to be a top priority, but as with the Tahs, their forwards improved but what happened to their backline and attacking rugby under McKenzie?
As you can tell, I think appointing McKenzie to the Reds was a mistake, but I sincerely hope I’m proven wrong.
December 11th 2009 @ 10:16am
Harry said | December 11th 2009 @ 10:16am | Report comment
On the basis that we are at rock bottom and won’t get anywhere until the forwards improve, then Link was the man for the job. So the heart is, al always, optimistic, but the head isn’t real hopeful …
December 10th 2009 @ 10:28pm
Dave said | December 10th 2009 @ 10:28pm | Report comment
The Reds are destined to go backwards under McKenzie.
The one saving grace if Cooper is not playing for the Reds this season? Australia’s most attacking No.10 will not turn into a robot after a season under McKenzie.
Dont get me wrong, he will improve the forward pack – but there is no chance on earth that forward pack can win games by itself. The Reds have the best up and coming backs in the country, but they will be entirely wasted with McKenzie’s negative tactics. Terrible decison to sack Mooney and appoint Ewen.
December 11th 2009 @ 8:12am
reds fan said | December 11th 2009 @ 8:12am | Report comment
Ewen has made it clear that he knows where the Reds strengths are and that he isn’t about to ignore them. I guess time will tell.
December 11th 2009 @ 8:32am
fox said | December 11th 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
“You know in sport every week is different,” McKenzie said.
Ha ha. I have missed the Link. He’s the master of the understatement.
December 11th 2009 @ 8:51am
Jameswm said | December 11th 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
The difference with Link is the Tahs played negatively under him and won. I think they made the semis 3 out of 4 years.
I wouldn’t underestimate him – he mightn’t be dripping in creativity but he is no fool.
December 11th 2009 @ 12:45pm
Comrade Bear said | December 11th 2009 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
Well – for the past six years – my heart has been saying we’ll do well – but my head has said – uh uh. This year it is the remains of my heart which is saying ‘Battling wooden spooners’ but my head is saying well do well (‘well’ as in not in the last three spots).
I think formeropenside has summed up the team pretty well – not a bad looking squad IMO. MMM although a top player – was a tampon – in one week – out the next three injured. So in that regard he won’t be missed.
Every year unveils new talent and 2010 will be no exception – it is how these non-proven players perform that determines how the team goes. The Reds have a few with genuine potential. I am hoping that Morahan, Lucus, Connor, Kingi, Chambers all have a big year. Whoever is chosen 1/3 will do well. Locks and FB are a problem.
George Smith seems to rate L. Tomeki – but I don’t know. I think our backrow will do well though. My bolter for the year is Higginbotham. Also hoping Poutasi Vaiofiso Tuasivi Luafutu does well if only for the problems his name alone causes.
December 11th 2009 @ 10:03pm
Dingbat said | December 11th 2009 @ 10:03pm | Report comment
Young bloke gets pissed up, wanders into a house, picks up a laptop (or whatever)…what am I missing? Where’s the story? He did what young, dumb kids do from time to time, now let’s get him playing rugga and be done with it.
December 12th 2009 @ 11:36am
anopinion said | December 12th 2009 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Mr Dingbat,
Where did you grow up? Is it really normal to walk into a house and take a lap top? I think this is a major story. I think we as a community tell our young people not to take things that do not belong to them. We also tell them to respect other’s property. Playing for your state or country makes you a representative of those communities, if you break the rules of that community you lose the right to represent that community.
December 14th 2009 @ 4:33pm
conrad Rines said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
to all you qlders out there in roar land here is the RED hot tip! keep your eyes peeled for a late blooming hooker/ prop by the name of Heath Tessmann. i have heard some rumours that he has been training the house down with some sort of reds acadamy??????
from what i have seen in the past when he is fit and healthy he has really dominated club football. its great that he has finally been given a chance by mckenzie to show his skills at a higher level. he has the skills of a back(passing and vision), runs great lines and loves to mix it up in the rough stuff.
you have RED it here 1st.
HEATH TESSMANN will debut in super 14 this year!
December 15th 2009 @ 11:21am
Jameswm said | December 15th 2009 @ 11:21am | Report comment
Sounds like Huia Edmonds. How can the guy scrum and throw?
December 15th 2009 @ 4:27pm
conrad Rines said | December 15th 2009 @ 4:27pm | Report comment
pin point accurate!
December 15th 2009 @ 4:35pm
reds fan said | December 15th 2009 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
got any other inside tips? perhpas a good lock??