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Reds coach Richard Graham ignored a week of hell to mentor his embattled side to a 19-6 win over the Force at Suncorp last night.
In the days after the Reds’ 47-3 thrashing by the Brumbies in Canberra last round, the knives in Graham’s back were too many to count.
The knife that cut the deepest was Brumbies coach Steve Larkham saying the Reds were not up to Super Rugby standard.
Then, star recruit Karmichael Hunt was ordered to appear in court on March 5 on charges of supplying cocaine. The ARU and Queensland Rugby Union moved swiftly, suspending Hunt indefinitely.
As last night loomed, Cyclone Marcia loomed larger bucketing Suncorp to such an extent, there were serious doubts the game could be played.
In the 25 minute lead-up to kick-off, James O’Connor failed a fitness test and with Hunt suspended and Quade Cooper still on the injured list, the vital 10 jersey was handed to bench-man half-back Nick Frisby.
But there’s more.
Graham lost former skipper James Horwill in the 26th minute with a gashed hand, and two minutes later current captain James Slipper to concussion.
Depite all that drama, the Reds led 11-6 at the break, thanks to a cracker of a try, setup by Chris Kuridrani just outside his own quarter. He was joined by Chris Feauai-Sautia and Samu Kerevi in a 60-metre burst, and superbly finished off by fullback Lachie Turner in the right hand corner.
In a game that was more AFL than rugby with 78 kicks – 47 by the Reds – the spectacular try was a welcome relief.
So too the retun to form of halfback Will Genia, and former All Black flanker Adam Thomson making his Reds’ debut.
It was the Genia of old, once he took over the captaincy with Slipper and Horwill sidelined.
Genia revelled in the responsibility, like the playmaking general that had him as the world’s best half three years ago.
Thomson is an inspirational signing. Playing blindside flanker, Thomson used his solidly-built 196cm, 112kgs frame to great effect.
And the rest of the Reds pack went with him, despite the fact the Force enjoyed 56 per cent possession, won the rucks 66-40, that forced the Reds to make 115 tackles to 50.
That was more like it for the Reds, regaining faith with their faithful that turned up last night – 14,199 of them in adverse conditions.
But the big winner last night was Richard Graham.
The knife throwers will be pleased to know the lacerations on his back are well and truly healed.