When the full-time whistle blew during Saturday’s Reds versus Waratahs match, did you sense that celestial providence had finally revealed itself and something special had been born?
Of course not, otherwise you would be writing this article, and I would be the one with the waxy eyes and flummoxed expression.
Those few of us who live in the higher realm of emotional intelligence – intuitively navigating life’s pitfalls with a benevolent calm one might think reserved for the biological offspring of Caitlyn Jenner and Yoda – picked up on it.
And like the fat kid from The Goonies offering a Baby Ruth bar to Sloth, I extend this offering to you.
This Queensland Reds team, cellar dwellers of 2014-15, are finally on the cusp of mediocrity.
Gone are the days of guileless, non-existent attacking structures and baffling selections. In their stead is a Red Dawn of weak and ineffective attacking structures and highly debatable selections.
While it’s only been one round, and excitement can often lead to hyperbolic claims, I truly believe we stand on a track which leads to the foothills near the precipice of adequacy.
With a solid set piece, perhaps the work of Richard Graham taking scrum and lineout novices Nick Stiles and Brad Thorn under his mentorship, the Reds have a real opportunity to build structures and skills that could, by the middle-to-late rounds, be lauded as pedestrian.
I know this seems unlikely to the hardened cynics on both sides of the Big Pineapple, but allow me to elaborate.
We have big, fast wingers who can now claw back scoreboard respectability after pouncing on loose balls dropped by an overzealous opposition looking to chalk up 50 points.
We have a flyhalf who has slightly below room temperature liquid running through his veins, shuffling passes into areas often catchable by others.
We have a large, ball running No.8, who would be in the first dozen or so players picked in many non-metropolitan high school First XVs.
But most of all, we have a coach who has the full support of the board – so no teary Round 7 press conference harakiri for this guy. He’s not partially supported, not even mostly supported, but fully supported. You can’t get better than that when it comes to board support.
So I implore my fellow Reds diehards to throw off our ignominious reputation as fair-weather supporters, as the bandwagon is finally cresting the hill! Get behind this team – record their games on Foxtel, perhaps to watch back afterwards if you find out we’ve won, or even watch the game on 12-times speed, live-ish.
At least until we’re down by 20.
For the real diehards, watch the first 20 minutes bona fide live, before flicking over in disgust to that Pierce Brosnan Bond film on Channel Seven that you hate.
Because we can do it this year! We can get up off the floor and into a seated position where the cellar steps are clearly observable! We just have to believe.
Yogi
Guest
Comedy gold grapeseed. would love to see more from you on the roar this year. Follow this one up with some serious stuff?
Yogi
Guest
From all accounts phil mooney wouldnt piss on the qru board if they were on fire let alone work for them.
MatthewSkellett
Guest
"....behold!!!! the cliffs of insanity"...........
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Ken, no Kane Douglas? If he gets in that's 4 Queensland forwards in the WB pack. Next year you can add in S. Moore. For the June internationals, Reds supply most of the piggies and the ponies supply nearly all the backs. A token Tah or two and RG is your uncle. :)
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Hi RT, glad to see that you have returned to Earth after Friday's game against the Zoo'Landers. :) and well yes, the connoisseurs say that 2011 was a good year for the Reds. I guess the grapeseed was extra fruity and lots of body in that year.
RobC
Roar Guru
Lose change, Harry ;)
Harry Jones
Expert
RobC Ask Najib to invest in Reds Just a billion or so :)
Bakkies
Guest
I would fear that MOC will be the next coach more games might be won but the attack will just as bad. Instead of developing his solution is to import loads of players. Throws his toys out of the coat when that isn't allowed
RobC
Roar Guru
So Cal Ray
Guest
That seems to be the big problem - blood all the youngsters, get them up to speed and watch them go everywhere and anywhere else. If your building a side, you got to keep those players. As a breeding ground, Qld is talent central - it seems though that the business of player retention is not part of the Red's management vocabulary. It could be a long season....but, from afar, go the Reds!
Marto
Guest
I thought the stupid one liners from Graham would have given it away harry and the talking up by the dude who wrote it.. “Karmichael gives us some flexibility.” "His improvement through the NRC and pre-season brings a lot of confidence to the whole playing group.” The scrum was another weapon, with the pack unfortunate not to gain a result while the NSW scrum was backpedalling in the dying minutes. The Reds’ scrum, in all, won seven penalties and two tightheads – one of which was with a seven-man scrum. ( I guess it`s acceptable with all that scrum dominance we still only scored 1try ) `
David Hopley
Roar Rookie
I was thinking that guy from "one foot in the grave".
grapeseed
Guest
Thanks for the many kind words. I look forward to being whelmed by the Reds performance during later rounds - although reserve the right as a Horan and Little worshiping, Buddha Handy fearing, Toutai Kefu loving QLDer to jump straight back on the bandwagon should we start stringing some wins together. In the meantime, go the Brumbies!!
harry
Guest
??? !
Handles
Roar Guru
Rumour has it that Frawley did the appraisal, gave a list of potential coaches to McCall with a recommendation to interview. McCall announced Graham two days later. That was apparently the last straw between Frawley and McCall.
Handles
Roar Guru
Johnny, as one long suffering reds fan to (presumably) another, I have to tell you that you have the wrong end of the stick old mate. The question you have to ask yourself is WHY the Reds lost Hanson, Horwill, O'Connor, Turner, Genia and Thompson. And before that Tapuai, Ioane, McMeniman, Lance, Placid, Alo Emile, Mitchell, Blake, Houston, even back to Kuridrani, Toomua, Moore, Pocock and others. The reason we lose good players is because we are crap. We have a poor, indulgent, un-professional old-mates governance system that has failed to move with the times. We don't retain and we don't recruit well. If you start thinking that we are crap because we lose players, you are falling into the victim trap. And the victim trap is what has kept Queensland on the bottom of the ladder for 10 out of the last 13 years.
wazza
Guest
Have a read of this from the QRU website.. Karmichael Hunt’s zip and leadership are the twin jolts needed to energise the St.George Queensland Reds as they build towards Saturday’s first home game of the season at Suncorp Stadium. The tri-code spark’s performance was among a handful of assets to take away from the side’s 30-10 Round 1 Super Rugby loss to the Waratahs in Sydney. Still feeling his way in Rugby Union after proving himself a winner in league and Australian football, the 29-year-old’s hunger for involvement was a source of strength for the Reds. Being forced onto the wing, then the centres after the departure of debutant Henry Taefu tested the composure of a man who spent the pre-season at fullback. Yet he still wanted the ball in his hands at every opportunity. Without the ball Hunt had just as much impact, providing direction for his younger teammates and competing vigorously at breakdowns. “Karmichael’s intensity and commitment were fantastic,” coach Richard Graham said. “His improvement through the NRC and pre-season brings a lot of confidence to the whole playing group.” Hunt could provide a solution at inside centre if Taefu is ruled out of the clash with the Western Force in Brisbane on Saturday. Taefu’s debut was limited to just 30 minutes against the Waratahs and he will have a scan on his injured ankle on Monday. Should he be scratched, Hunt’s follow-me style could be deployed in the midfield, with Ayumu Goromaru an option in the run-on side at fullback. “We’re hoping for positive news on Henry,” Graham said. “Karmichael gives us some flexibility.” No one at the Reds is satisfied with their Round 1 fighting loss, least of all Graham. There was, however, enough self-confidence and fight to suggest this developing team will land some blows under the leadership of Rob Simmons, and James Slipper when he returns from injury. The Reds shifted the ball well in patches, presenting moving targets for the Waratahs defence. Although unable to capitalise on them, they created enough opportunity, with 10 linebreaks overall. Hendrik Tui’s running created problems for the hosts and Saia Fainga’a seemed to be on a mission to cut down giant lock Will Skelton. The scrum was another weapon, with the pack unfortunate not to gain a result while the NSW scrum was backpedalling in the dying minutes. The Reds’ scrum, in all, won seven penalties and two tightheads – one of which was with a seven-man scrum.
Ken
Guest
I look forward to 2017 Grapeseed when Wallaby selections arise with Greg Holmes leaving at end of this year, i believe only Simmons and Slipper may be in the Wallaby 23.. How exciting is that ?!! We should have 3 this year so im looking forward to 2017 as a better year for us..
Skip
Guest
Well Written. I do feel for Richard Graham. By most accounts a decent bloke. Apparently his rugby knowledge is outstanding. Unfortunately for him it hasn't transferred to coaching. Perhaps he would be better off as an assistant? Didn't the Reds sign him with a performance clause, such as Win X% of games by round 7 or your out? Seems like a funny clause. Unless the Reds board knows od some one who be becomes available at that time. Robbie Deans - When does his contract end in Japan end? Phil Mooney - Is he permanent at BGS? Knuckles...........Just kidding. Adrian Thompson - is he still with the ARU?
Rt
Guest
I think the Reds will bank a win in round 13.