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.
RobC
Roar Guru
true true. The only thing I was looking at was his TO in the redzone. Ran ahead without support and got TOd by Junior R.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'm sure almost every lock that played more than 20 minutes would have outplayed Horwill in Round 2 though.
RobC
Roar Guru
Clarke I just saw the side on. Yep, you called it right. Daley lost his footing and slipped first, which caused Faulker to drop. But the bind was illegal, and the Force was going backwards. A similar condition happened in Chiefs Brumbies with Sio on his knee. But pen awarded to them as Chiefs were pushed back. Video analysis and article for that and other engagement will come out in a day or two. Technically the scrum was too far to call it a pen try. But the probs with the Force was chronic. Pen try was appropriate imo. Similar decisions happen all the time, when the defenders have had it, including internationals. eg Wales vs WB last year. The option is to award another penalty, and card Faulkner for the bind. Then the Redns will run another scrum. Which I would imagine will be a penalty try.
ClarkeG
Guest
I have had another look and I have to say I stand by my original post. I have also viewed the replay from the side view at ground level. I see no reason to change my point of view. Irrespective of illegal binding, and cause of the collapse, my issue is that the referee allowed the scrum to continue in the first place and then awarded a penalty try. My questions to the referee:- Why did you allow the scrum to continue under the circumstances? Where did you see a probable try? I did note having reviewed the replay that the ball was still 5metres from the goal line when the ref made his decision. I repeat “one of the most bizarre penalty tries I have seen awarded from a scrum”. I take your last point Rob. I think the Ref had just had enough. Poor basis for such a vital decision in my opinion.
RobC
Roar Guru
Easy brother. As I said there's no offence to Kev. He was poor in week 1, and a few locks outplayed him week 2. The point there was, Reds needs Simmons back. My point about Parling etc is separate - Kev's not past it. But also he's not what he used to be - Reds needs new marquee locks who scares the bejesus out of competition - Most importantly, Kev's not going to be with the Reds anymore and needs to be replaced - The point being get two locks to replace him, not one. An old bull and a young terror Parling is just an example. I initially thought Attwood, but thought it would be unrealistic. Could be Fardy etc Its also situational. When with the Reds, Kev never gets the chance to full recover. He's like what Slipper will be for the WBs if Sio's not around. Overworked.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think it's ridiculous to say somebody like Parling would be great, and say that Horwill is past it. Horwill is still more effective in the tight and loose than Parling, who is mostly a line out centric lock. The different is that by 2013, Horwill had developed into an excellent scrummaging and line out lock. His loose play is not what it once was but he'd still wipe the floor with Geoff Parling any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yet when he was fit and available for selection, he was quicker and more effective than some of the other lock options on the EOYT. I'd love to hear about all these locks in world rugby that aren't slow as well. Wasn't aware it was a position that had players who were known for their pace.
Harry
Guest
Fair enough well see how they go against highlanders in Dunedin will be pretty accurate gauge on how their season will play out.
RobC
Roar Guru
ClarkeG have another look. The Reds scrum start 0:20 - Force is marched back 1-2m - You will see Faulker illegally bound on Daley's shirt sleeve / arm from the start - Faulkner on retreat over extends his legs then collapses when Reds keep pushing - Daley is dropped through the Faulkner's collapse and his bind - Faulker can get up because there's a pause before his scrum backs up again, and he has that arm bind - He doesn't let Daley get up (why should he?) when the scrum moves forward - Daley cant get up yet, still with his scrum pushing behind him continues to move forward - Daley eventually is able to get up. By this stage they have been marched the Force back almost 5m - They have moved 7m reaching 3m from the tryline, and the Force scrum totally disintegrates - Ref had enough. You will find on occasion both props on the knees and the ref continues it. The scrums in Chiefs / Brumbies had it also, in multiple occasions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeYtLtYN3II
Squirrel
Guest
No he is slow and ineffective, I don't get why European club paid the coin .
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
Haha yes, it can be the kiss of death!
Demak
Roar Rookie
The sad truth for the Force is that their best 15 is capable of testing the best in comp but the lack of depth is a major problem. The Reds have a long injury list but I bet the Force would give anything to be able to have the quality players they have at their disposal as replacements. As for RG one very average win against a team with early season injury issues hardly gets him many points from me at this stage
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
The penalty try awarded to the Reds in the 53rd min was rather silly on the part of the referee. Firstly I can't see how he decided a try would probably have been scored. I can see that he had become frustrated but a referee can’t make decisions on this basis. Besides this has to be one of the most bizarre penalty tries I have seen awarded from a scrum. If you watch it again you can see that the Reds’ loose head prop is the first player to go down in the scrum. He goes to his knees and then proceeds to take approximately 15 steps on his knees as the scrum shuffles forward. Mind boggling really. I think the referee certainly lost the plot in this instance.
Mad_Aus_Rugby_Fan
Guest
Yeah but an educated opinion, not bias garbage!!!
Mad_Aus_Rugby_Fan
Guest
Finally someone with a brain, you talk some sense riddler +1
MARTO
Guest
TAPS AND QUIRK are NO GOOD... the rest definate starters
MARTO
Guest
YEP !! HAHAHA
dr katz
Guest
After the reds Week 1 game I said to the missus that I thought that RG would last as coach until about round 6, 7 or 8. Nothing from their game against the Force has caused me to alter my view.
dru
Roar Rookie
I have tried not to dwell on this too much. How did the team management/coaching etc allow things to get to this level of injury and lack of availability? Surely the coach needs to answer such a basic query? In the mean time we follow how they perform with what is available. Major step forward this weekend. They needs quite a few more, but at least a good step in the right direction.
dru
Roar Rookie
Which is 4 more than last week.