Reds given fright by Japan

Im not from Queensland or a Lions supporter but I do see parrallels with the Reds and the Lions in SA. Both horribly mismanaged, both have the odd resurgence, both have great talent to see them leave and both have fallen from grace. Admittedly the Lions have been on a downward spiral for longer. No more, the winds of change have finally blown with a club uprising finally forcing out the old hegemony for what they have done to what was once the biggest, wealthiest and well supported union in SA. No guarantees on the future but the rot starts at the top and perhaps some lessons can be learnt from this.

Sorry to say Reds followers, but the Salvi ship has all but departed, likely destination Europe, but possibly Japan. He's in negs currently and has activated the "G.Smith" clause in his Brumbies contract. Also, the Brumbies should wrap up Mitch Chapman this week, which will see their squad complete for 2010. It's a shame that a talent like Salvi should be lost to Australia, but I guess he's also at the age where he's young enough to come back in a few years. He could well pass Smith in transit after the next RWC. In that sense, you could almost forgive him for seeking some experience and a different lifestyle for a few years (not to mention game time). But yeah, it doesn't say much for the Qld setup, does it? Salvi obviously didn't like what he saw in Brisbane this time last year, and it's hard to find any improvement or further enticement to resume talks now. So adding stamps to the passport seems a no-brainer really...

Personally i think the whole Salvi incident shows the ineptitude of Reds management. From what I gather, Daniel Braid had a serious injury and may not play next season, and in the event of him not being injured, he was looking at heading over the Europe. In any case, Salvi is a fine player and would be an asset to the Qld forward pack. Maybe a Royal Commission should be appointed to the Queensland Rugby Union?

Reds , played well Japan played with great courage. Crowd attendance was 1700. Evidence of the efforts of the Qld RU Admin and publicity machine were absent in the lead up. The results were evident. They might be sending passive bulletins to the media but they arent getting coverage. Results count , not process. Ground announcer did not have a clue of who is runnning on and off the field. There is virtually no lead up press , emails promoting the event are without passion. Who are in the Japanese team ? Are they a S15 chance or maybe one day a S18? We can read in the Courier Mail more about such teams as the Freemantle Dockers or Port Adelide playing a game in Adelaide than than we read in the lead up about the Reds playing Japan. ABC 7 am Brisbane National news had no coverage. Yours truly calls the ABC news room at 715a with the news. Very happily the ABC then includes it in the 745 bulletin. It is not that hard. You can talk about the Rising Sun of the Japanese but the Setting Sun and Twighlight are the hallmarks of the Reds leadership machine. We need change. However in a welcome move to the positive, allowing kids to run on the field to play after the game, was a great return to the past , and the reduction in the previously witnessed large number of green jacketed security personell was appreciated. Reds fans are expecting leadership and energy. Is there some one who will put their hand up?Even just a little?

What sort of "help" can/should the ARU really give? If the problem is their recruitment policies and/or their player management, is throwing money at the problem really going to do anything? Similarly is it going to improve their coaching or tactics? If not money, then what? Even if they could, should the ARU be stepping in, sacking some and appointing new personnel? The ARU can't MAKE players stay at the Reds other than by perhaps offering them some additional financial incentive to do so. And, as we see in rugby and in corporate life, paying someone more money to stay somewhere they don't like doesn't last. The Reds/QRU have got themselves into this mess and will continue to have to lie in the bed they have made for themselves until they develop or attract a group of REAL leaders who can motivate the rest to try something different.

Perhaps turning it all around does start with the Ballymore redevelopment. Make Ballymore priofitable rather than a money pit - combined with some top class training facilites - might give us the money and the means to retain some of our talent? The redevelopment is still years away though (or with council now for approval??). Help from the ARU would be nice - but I think we need to help ouirselves first by sorting our own mess out.

The Reds need an openside flanker, so they tell Julian Salvi "we'll get back to you" while they wait on Braid. So now he is off to Japan. They tell Beau Robinson they are not interested (or words to that effect) yet they were chasing him a year ago. Braid still has not commited, so they will probably end up with no openside specialist, just when R Deans has identified having openside skills in more than one position will probably be most beneficatial will the laws being the way they are. They really do appear to have no idea.

Sorry my comment was a little out of context... Of course I don't blame Jon for the state of the Reds, it is 95% self inflicted you're right. I simply meant that it is still everyone's problem, because as you've pointed out yourself Queensland is a very important breeding ground for the wallabies and a failing Red's side can only hurt the game. whilst I encourage as much expansion as possible lets be realistic, you've gotta have a strong backyard and I'm amazed that someone of Jon's talents hasn't realised this. I mean the four teams are still owned by the ARU, you're telling me that can't send in people to ensure things are done to retain players, or heaven forbid stop player stacking in other states? But yeah I'm aware that's typical Queensland whinging. Re Ballymore. It's a great place but I'm assming by your name you're from Sydney... so a little tip about Ballymore. It is in the most residential place on earth and has no ability to accept any parking or public transport... Basically it's a nightmare. And as for our crowds, we still average over 17 000 or 18 000, with half the games getting over 20 (eg Hurricanes, Sharks and Brumbies this year). Ballymore barely holds 20 000 (legally in the modern age), so until they expand it Suncorp is a must. P.S. Maybe John Kirwin is finally putting together a decent Japan side? That'd be nice for everyone...

Nick how can you blame JON for the state of the Reds...from what I can see most of the damage is self-inflicted. Look at how many Queenslanders there are playing for NSW, WA and ACT - guys like Elsom, O'Connor, Fairbanks, Mitchell and there are many more. I think QLD obviously does a pretty good job in developing players for other provincial sides, but methinks there is something rotten in Reds recruitment. I found out that Ioane was carrying an injury which he then injured further, how amateur of the Reds to let him play under that risk - as a Wallaby supporter I was really looking forward to seeing Ioane take Lote's position and star for us, now we are denied that pleasure. You should be playing at Ballymore anyway, the Reds crowds have been crap for years, and as the QRU owns the ground, the rent would be bugger all relative to Suncorp.

Jon O'Niel will rue the day he let Queensland slide so far that the nursey of Australian rugby is killed off forever... The final nail in the coffin will be when Melbourne beat us at Ballymore (because they just can't fill Suncorp) 25-7 in 2012... Yeah that'll keep the kids plaing...

I am upset. For the first time in years I simply cannot see the Qld Reds improving next year. I see them as finishing 16th in next years Super14, with the bye week finishing in 14th place, daylight 15th, then the Reds.