In the last two years, Richard Graham’s Reds have failed miserably. In stark contrast, Nick Stiles won back-to-back NRCs and the Horan-Little Shield with 14 straight wins.
Queensland is on top of southern hemisphere rugby geographically. She produces 50 per cent of Australian rugby players. But we deliver the shocking results. Why?
Stiles wins tournaments despite his inexperience. His only overseas stint is as forwards coach for a mid-table team in Japan. Graham on the other hand, as assistant coach, reached finals in six of the eight years in UK. He assisted Ewen McKenzie during his last year in Queensland, when they reached finals.
Between these two stints were stinks. When he was skills coach for Robbie Dean, the Wallabies enjoyed little success, including a shock loss against Scotland and drubbings by the All Blacks. This is complimented by a three-year stint at a low-ranking Western Force.
Since the Reds management placed Graham in charge of the Reds, Queensland and Queenslanders have been totally humiliated. I can only imagine how the Reds, their administration, coaching staff and players feel.
From what I notice, Graham has been too tricky for his own good. He is not alone. He, along with the management, believe they have reached a similar status as the ‘golden era’ Crusaders, where they can deliver whatever game style they decide.
For example, in 2013 the Reds’ breakdown was targeted. This was demonstrated in their home qualifying final hammering by the Sharks.
In 2014, they then decided to challenge the break down more sternly. It was a mess. They were hammered. In 2015, they brought in four play-makers and decided to play an open game. It was mess. They were hammered.
The Reds defence was the best in history, but has since turned foul under Graham’s leadership. The worst humiliation was the eight-try 57-point rout by the Crusaders in May last year. Hammered.
By trying to be too tricky, the Reds have lost some of the fundamentals. This is in stark contrast with the best teams in Australia. Both the Waratahs and the Brumbies have a straight forward approach to the game: punish through the forwards, and let the halves strike when opportunities arise.
Comparatively, the Tahs and Ponies play ‘dumb rugby’. This wins games. Just like Nick Stiles.
By chasing the championship and trying to leave a winning legacy, the Reds have lost a fundamental tenet: the Queensland underdog mentality.
A sign of hope is continued set piece leadership via Nick Stiles. An excellent move are the upgraded lock stocks, continued front row depth, and Liam Gill’s tremendous form and heart.
Matt O’Connor has joined the Reds coaching team from Leinster, where as head coach he had won the Pro12 championship and reached the Championship cup semi-finals.
The backrow, specifically the blindside flanker and eightman, remains a question mark. Who is going to rumble against Ita Vaea and Scott Fardy? Who is going to mix it with guys like Kieran Read and the Ioane brothers?
Queensland have the stock to easily make finals. In theory. But to date, the people running the Reds do not have the answers to the big questions.
When will we beat the Waratahs again? When can we earn the Brumbies’ respect? When will we avenge the Crusaders humiliation? When can we show the Sharks what Queenslanders are really made of? When will Graham and the management stop this embarrassment? Is it 2016?
Without key changes, I just cannot see it. February 27 in Sydney may be a different picture, but I am not putting any money on it.
RobC
Roar Guru
Bakkies, your reservation bout Gill has been addressed. 2016 is his last year with the Reds. http://view.e.redsrugby.com.au/?j=fe9017757563027577&m=fe8e12727166037e7c&ls=fe5315727d6c0d797013
RobC
Roar Guru
Bakkies, Qld got a short-term bridging loan from ARU. Which St George took over up within months. Pales in comparison to the Tahs Rebels bail out. It got so bad that ARU took over and owned both the Tahs and Rebs. ARU owns the Tahs franchise have done so for a dozen years until today. Even after a SR win, they are unable to find a buyer, and recently lost their newly acquired CEO. Who was the RUPA CEO
Handles
Roar Guru
Graham has always hated Greene - he only got called up to the Reds last year after Knuckles was brought in to control Graham. (Greene got a call about 10 seconds after Knuckles got the gig). Now Knuckles is gone, Greene will be lucky to get minutes.
Marto
Guest
REDS had over 40 000 Members at one stage 2012- 2014.. Now it`s curently 16 000 and hasn`t budged for a long time. .Probably still more than the TAHS though../ .
Ken
Guest
Lets see if RG has the bottle to have LOLO KORCYK and TUI in the 23.. I like KORCYK and LOLO..TUI is supposed to be tough abrasive and a good runner so let`s see him RG.. 6 LOLO 7 GILL 8 TUI 19 KORCYK or BROWNING 6/8 cover 20 SCHATZ or LUCKHAN TUI lock
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I don't think any that should have, didn't. In the RWC Semi-Final we had the following players in the 23. Seemed about right: 1. Horwill 2. Samo 3. Genia 4. Cooper 5. Ioane 6. Fainga'a 7. Slipper 8. Simmons The only players that would have pushed from that Reds team were possibly Higginbotham (who never cemented himself at international level) and Fainga'a who was the squad's 3rd hooker. Robinson possibly should have been a 2nd openside option in the squad but still Hodgson would have had a claim too. That really only leaves out Tapuai, Lucas, Davies and Daley from the regular starting team.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yeah Ken 100%. Coincided with the loss of Radike Samo AND Higgers AND injury to Big Kev. Its not rocket science is it? Replace tough guys with other tough guys. Ant was kept for his expertise in D. But if the pack leaks like a sieve, he cant do his job.
Bakkies
Guest
When the Reds got better they had 34,000 members and excellent crowds. 'And no doubt the lack of growth within the code didn’t help there financial position.' Nothing to do with NSW getting bailed out. Just out of the amateur and Concord Oval was costing a heap of money. The QRU got bailed out due to their incompetence and a poor performing side.
Marto
Guest
As long as Frisbee stops those quick taps and kicking down the throat of opposing fullbacks..So yeah it will be a breath of fresh air...Sheesh
john
Guest
We won the SUPER RUGBY title in 2011 TWAS ..How many Reds should have made the WALLBIES that year but didnt ?? And how many TAHS made the team
Ken
Guest
whos mike harris??
hog
Guest
So no potential expansion in QLD as no other population center could support a team. & no 2nd Brisbane team. So i fail to see how you will spread the footprint. Also may have to get use to that incompetent QRU, as they are the only team in town and as they will never have any competition, have very little incentive to get any better, as there support base have no other option
Ken
Guest
I agree, the backrow has been woeful for 2 years..Schatz and Browning have not delivered..Quirk has ben punted which is a positive BUT Jake SCHATZ must not be played at 6 or 8 ...He can be reserve lock or nothing ,.He is a massive problem.. If Graham trots him out in the first team i know we have completley lost 2016..Browning is 22 so its now or never .. P.S Ant Faaingaa is a massive liabilty...A Sloth is quicker over 20..
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not by putting a Super Rugby team in a city that already has one and isn't spread out to the point where residents of the city are excluded due to distance. Western Sydney yes. Brisbane no.
hog
Guest
So where would growth come from, Every major pop centre is covered by a Super team.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. My conclusion is new teams in existing cities like Brisbane will dilute support rather than cater to new fans who are currently missed. Growth needs to be by spreading the footprint. Not doubling up in the existing one.
hog
Guest
So your conclusion is Australian rugby has reached its maximum level of growth.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
New teams need to attract new fans. Plonking a team right in a location that is already easily covered by an existing team only dilutes that.
hog
Guest
And as i pointed out above an extra team in NSW and QLD may dilute existing support for the current teams. However rugby support in Australia has stagnated at best over the last 20 years. And most would agree one of the main issues is the inability of the code to grow outside of its traditional support base. My point is simply that we can continue to stagnate as we have done or maybe look at alternatives. I think the benefits of an extra team in NSW and QLD could assist the code in the one area it desperately needs growth, are there risks of course.
hog
Guest
And no doubt the lack of growth within the code didn't help there financial position.