The Queensland Reds will draw on their 2012 heroics as the catalyst to reviving their Super Rugby campaign.
The Reds head over to New Zealand for this weekend’s clash with the Hurricanes knowing time is running out for them to make a finals charge.
Defeats in four of their past five games, including back-to-back losses at home to the Western Force and Brumbies, have left the Reds in 12th on the Super Rugby ladder.
They are far from out of the finals hunt, however, with the sixth-placed Crusaders just six points ahead of them.
Even hauling in the Australian-conference leading Brumbies to secure an unlikely home final isn’t totally out of the question.
For inspiration the team needs to look no further than their remarkable finish to the 2012 season.
Languishing in 10th position after nine rounds, the Reds charged home, winning seven from eight to steal top spot in the Australian conference from the Brumbies in the final round.
Flanker Eddie Quirk is one of several Reds players still in the team who took part in that remarkable revival two years ago.
He says the experience and unity of the Reds squad will be a key to getting the team back on track.
“We know what we have to do and we’re a tight team,” Quirk said.
“We’ve been in these spots before, which is a good thing. We’ve had the same group year-in, year-out so we know when we come to these times what we’ve got to do.
“We know that we’re a good team and we are top of the table contenders. We know we can get up there.”
30mm tags
Guest
Agree. If the Reds forwards crank it up to the extent they did in the second half against the Brumbies they will steamroll to the top. If they don't it will be because of leadership and attitude, not ability.
30mm tags
Guest
Thank The Lord!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
think there must be a position for a guy who can pick talent and can get a backline firing like the Reds used to...
Hoy
Roar Guru
I agree results wise, but playing wise, we are way off where we should be. The Reds should be a much better team than they are showing... I don't understand why, and haven't heard a decent enough explanation as to why, they hired Graham.
die hard
Guest
Genia has shown nothing so far this year. JOC needs to learn the position first as does Feaui Sautia before they are any good. Davies is doing well but is disadvantaged by his size. Your a little desperate with Turner but Coopers going well. Not that scarey really.
Markus
Guest
Timani shored up one side of the Wallabies scrum, nothing. His 2 carries, 1 tackle and 0 lineout takes a game outside that could hardly be considered necessary punch.
Mike
Guest
Certainly he did well against the second- and third-tier test sides. But that's another level anyway. QC is one of the premier provincial fly-halves in the world, and he's not the only top-class player in the Reds. Their current form slump is a bit of a mystery, but maybe its simply a reflection of a stronger Australian conference, plus the high standard of S15 rugby. I expect they will bounce back.
Pete
Guest
While I agree that we need a new coach its hard to crtique Graham's success this year because of the games the reds were dudded in. Including the two matches in South Africa. Are these the same people who were calling for foley's head at the Force, just look at them now. I believe the reds are good enough to finish strong and make the finals. We will see....
Crazy Horse
Guest
John Mulvahill is coaching in Japan and would love to come home.
hoqni
Guest
David Moyes IS available
asdasf
Guest
timani is in yurop
Jimbo81
Guest
Mooney was sacked too soon. The reds attack under Mooney was epic! He just lacked Links defensive capabilities for the complete effort. He won a schoolboy RWC though. Bring Mooney in as Wallaby attack coach!
Magic Sponge
Guest
chiefs must be shting themselves.
jutsie
Guest
I know graham has played a large part in the reds demise but I also feel that the reds have been on a downward slope since 2011. They only just scraped into the finals in 2012/2013 which glossed over alot of the shortcomings they had displayed during the season however in both final series they were taken care off quite easily in the first round. I cant help but feel that mckenzie had no long term plans in place for the reds, his goal was quick success to boost his resume as he always had eyes for the national job. His championship squad was largely made of guys that were already there in the mooney era and the game plan got more and more conservative the longer mckenzie was there. The recruiting & development of junior players since link took over has been fairly hit and miss and the team is now paying the price as more and more players from the mooney era move on.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Hey Squirrel -lemme guess because the spring tour took place over the northern hemisphere winter you hibernated right through it. 'Cause you can't have watched too many of the Wallabies last few games.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Would love to think this was doable but the truth is they ain't gonna do it. As Buzzard says above Graham is part of it. I wrote an article here regarding my forecast of the demise of the Reds last April - http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/04/04/sunset-fast-approaching-for-queensland-reds/ This article was largely ignored, I guess most thought it was bait but I meant it. When a team stops attacking like the Reds used to then the end ain't far off. They need a new coach by next season or else all the money in the war chest will start to disappear along with the ex 'WE ARE RED' banner cry fans.
Combesy
Roar Guru
JOC at 12 with a good attitude would be what the reds need. 9.genia 10. Cooper 11.davies 12.JOC 13.CFS 14. Turner 15. Toua For me that's a pretty potent back line and would bring the punch we have been missing
formeropenside
Guest
a few referee's though, on the season's evidence to date
Buzzard
Guest
Richard Graham is the downfall of the Reds. They lack confidence, their game plan is non existent and they are the most predictable team in the comp. The back row don't do their job. Rabble since Graham took over. So terribly rabble they make the Blues look great.
Amateur Hour
Guest
Agreed. You can add Higginbotham and Samo to that list. Since the departure of those three players, the Reds have lost their ability to get consistent front foot ball for Genia and Cooper, which is what they thrive on. The Reds will not be successful like 2011/12 again until they get another two big ball runners in the pack and in the back line. They have plenty of speed to burn out wide but no real punch in the middle. I also think Genia should be left off the spring tour this year to freshen up for 2015, which is a WC year. He's just been overused since pretty much the beginning of the Deans era. As a complete aside, does anyone know where Sitaleki Timani is? He was used to provide the necessary punch in the middle for the Wallabies, which I can't see Horwill or Simmonds providing on current form.