Queensland’s unheralded youngsters have convinced Robbie Deans of their potential with the super-coach delivering a huge wrap by likening the Reds to the Crusaders outfit which went on to build a Super rugby dynasty.
Deans compared the perennial Super 14 battlers to the 1997 Crusaders which laid the platform for a hat-trick of Super 12 titles from 1998-2000.
The Wallabies coach on Wednesday talked up the talent and drive of a tight-knit young group at Ballymore, which will gain polish through marquee signing Daniel Braid.
“They remind me a bit of the Crusaders of `97,” said Deans, who rated Queensland capable of making the play-offs for the first time since 2001.
“We got together a group that was young and enthusiastic and really excelled.
“The Reds are on the ascent of the climb. They know they have capability.
“They are evidently going to get there it’s just a matter of time, when they turn that motor over.
“Inevitably they will get outcomes this year, there’s no doubt about that.”
The support comes on the eve of Queensland’s final trial match against the Western Force at Ballymore on Thursday night before they kick off the competition with a tough South African road trip.
Deans was an assistant to head coach Wayne Smith when the Christchurch-based Crusaders went from wooden-spooners to sixth in the 1997 Super 12.
As head coach Deans himself won five Super rugby titles guiding the Crusaders, including last year’s crown in a fitting farewell.
Many pundits expect the Reds – who have lost old heads Chris Latham, John Roe, David Croft and Sam Cordingley – to again finish as the lowest-placed Australian outfit in the Super 14.
But Deans felt former All Blacks and Blues flanker Braid would lead on and off the field to guard against the pitfalls of the team’s inexperience.
“He’ll be able to channel their energy consistently,” he said. “What happens with young teams is they’re exuberant and they see opportunities and they often push those opportunities all the time and can be impatient some times.
“The art of learning is you don’t always have to throw the miracle ball or play the miracle play.”
Deans’ message could have been singularly delivered to maturing Reds playmaker Quade Cooper, 20, who impressed in his debut Wallabies tour late last year but is still being warned not to overplay his hand.
“(Braid) is still hungry and the vigour that you get with his enthusiasm and the fresh challenge combined with a group that is clearly coming on and really excited about getting on, is really powerful,” Deans said.
Cooper and interim captain Berrick Barnes has been tipped out of goalkicking responsibilities for the start of the season with halfback Ben Lucas winning the role in a kick-off at training.
jam
Guest
The Reds have 4 Wallabies in the backs if you count Digby Ione. I don't count SNK as a Wallaby or Turinui because they didn't play there in 2008 and are unlikely to make it this year. I think they will probably be comparable to the Crusaders of 1997 and finish around 6th or 7th. This is because their tight 5 will be vulnerable in the first half of the season, having lost Stephen Moore and being without Horwill until he recovers. I bet they wouldn't mind having the new-look Rodney Blake of the Barbarians game back either. The loss of Moore may not hurt them as much as some have been trumpeting. He was dropped by Phil Mooney mid-season for Sean Hardman due to poor performances. Hardman is still there, so it won't be a disaster. We'll see how good Jack Kennedy and Laurie Weeks are at tight head. They will definitely lift once Horwill comes back. If he was there for the whole tournament I'd tip them to go top 4, which is where Deans might see them in 2010. I agree with Homer's preference for Cooper and Barnes in close compared to Halangahu/Beale and Carter/Tahu, although I definitely prefer Rob Horne to Morgan Turinui. This seems like a particularly difficult Super 14 to tip early on because of all the widespread changing of coaches and losses of key players for NSW and Carter for Canterbury. The Sharks have a new coach now but more stability with Pienaar at fly-half. The Hurricanes don't seem to have changed much. When do the teams for the first round get announced?
Homer
Guest
Bonza they may have lost 7 test players but they also gained a few as well. Cooper is now a Wallaby and Barnes is an integral part of a good test backline. Hynes has gone from strength to strength now that he is a wallaby and has benefitted from several years doing the hard grind. Turinui, Hynes, Cooper, Barnes - four wallabies in the backs against teh Waratahs five of Tuquiri, Tahu, Burgess, Turner and Norton Knight. I would rather have the key positions in close with the ball skills and creativity. They also have one of the most balanced backrows in the comp now with a flyer in Braid, a dominant ball runner in houston and a fast, tough lineout jumper in Mcmenimum, that is two and a half internationals. I agree depth is a major issue but they could surprise with five or six wins which would be a pretty good year for them. It is just a shame they have to start overseas.
Bonza
Guest
Not sure about the stability and experience statement by LAS - 19 players have left the Reds from last season including 7 test players and they have been replaced by 1 ex all black and some youngsters with potential (unrealised ability). While the regeneration of a team is ongoing you might want to ask the question why Stephen Moore left to go to the Brumbies if the prospects were so good. He has been replaced by the Brumbies Fainga Bros on a package - all or none. Not sure this was a smart swap. None of the players coming into the Reds are proven or starters anywhere else with the exception of Braid. There is no question about the enthusiasm of youth but can this be maintained over 13 games (minus Horwill for 7 of those). It is worth noting that the Reds came last in 2007 and accrued 11 points (2 wins), Last year they came 12th and accrued 18 points (3 wins and a draw) - Take out seven Wallabies - including the enigmatic Latham and what will be the result It is also worth noting the much lambasted Waratahs of 2007 who finished 13th actually scored 21 points (3 wins and a draw but 7 bonus points which suggests they were closer in games on many occasions than last years Reds) If the Reds improve and upwards is the only direction they can go otherwise all we really have is the usual spin. Frailty of youth, injuries?? - Yes Cooper went on a Wallaby tour but he has not held down the starting position at the Reds for 2 seasons - The Reds going better is not something you would be betting your house on
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
There is more to it. The Crusaders had a very good coaching staff, Smith and Deans. The Reds have Mooney, who, for the first time in living memory, gives them stability, experience and commonsense. He just knows when to keep his mouth shut because he is not all about Mooney, unlike Eddie "loud mouth" Jones. Its a big wrap, and one that is yet to produce much evidence. Sure they have some strong players in critical positions and a good leadership group, Horwill, Barnes, Holmes. BUT, I remember hearing that Heenan was the next Eales. Where is he now????