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.”
reds fan
Guest
got any other inside tips? perhpas a good lock??
conrad Rines
Guest
pin point accurate!
Jameswm
Guest
Sounds like Huia Edmonds. How can the guy scrum and throw?
conrad Rines
Guest
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!
Rockin Rod
Guest
no offence Reds Fan,but Sydney Uni or Randwick grandfinal teams are better on paper. Its going to be a tough year, but you have the best under 20s and aussie schoolboys in the country, so i just hope Melb dont steal them
reds fan
Guest
i dont think Digby can kick.
anopinion
Guest
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.
anopinion
Guest
Does anyone think Ioane would make a good fullback? If so 12 Turanui 13 Connor 14 Chambers 11 Hynes 15 Ioane Lee Tomiki will win the number 7 jersey
anopinion
Guest
Ben Lucas is a good flyhalf. Many would argue he should have played there last year instead of Cooper.
anopinion
Guest
Without Cooper the backline could be. 9 Genia 10 Lucas 12 Turanui 13 Chambers 14 Ioane 11 Hynes 15 ?? Maybe Blair Connor although he is a better centre. Perhaps Chambers can play fullback or Ioane. Where else can Kingi play? Forwards have recruited Tomiki who is an excellent open side. Now we have two including Braid. the rest of the forward pack is Horwill and then ?????
Dingbat
Guest
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.
Comrade Bear
Guest
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.
Harry
Guest
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 ...
Mike G
Guest
Ah yep, Braid is the marque player, my bad. I also forgot about Chambers signing on, he’ll probably slot onto a wing in his 1st year wouldn’t he?? Although he could end up being a great long term 15. I stand by my earlier comments about Morahan though…perhaps 2010 should be the year he gets a full season of S14 from the bench – possibly with a couple of starts. Link doesn’t want to burn out the young kids too quick..Deans made that mistake with O’Connor in the Tri’s & you could argue if cost us dearly…Anyway, all the best for a good yr & bring on rd 1 up at Suncorp!!
Jameswm
Guest
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.
fox
Guest
“You know in sport every week is different,” McKenzie said. Ha ha. I have missed the Link. He's the master of the understatement.
reds fan
Guest
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.
reds fan
Guest
agreed. not a chance in hell.
reds fan
Guest
I agree. But on last years showing I reckon Daley has the starting LHP position tied up. Holmes needs to turn the clock back about three or four years if he is going to pressure Daley.
formeropenside
Guest
If Holmes does not step up, Daley is the next LHP. I dont think Daley can play both sides, and you need a real THP on the bench. Perhaps Holmes can cover THP and will become the 17, with Daley starting. But there is not a lot of role for the no.2 LHP, as a rule.