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Take the knives out of Queensland Reds head coach Richard Graham’s back, he’s a mere mortal, not a miracle worker.
After suffering two comprehensive Super Rugby losses this season to the Waratahs (30-10), and the Force (22-6), the calls to punt Graham are loud and clear.
It wouldn’t matter who coaches the Reds, the cruel hard fact is the roster is ordinary – there aren’t enough good players to be competitive.
Losing James Horwill, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, and James Hanson is crippling enough, but those responsible to replace such a quality quartet have fallen well short of the mark.
As a result, the Reds are on the bottom of the Australasian Conference, with precious little chance of avoiding the unwanted cellar-dweller title.
Injuries to Wallabies James Slipper, Kane Douglas, and Liam Gill are critical, leaving lock Rob Simmons the only world class Red.
Prop Ben Daley and hooker Saia Fainga’a have given the Reds yeoman service, but their used-by date is overdue,
But there’s something decidedly odd about the Reds – their inability to retain quality players.
And Richard Grahan is playing the penalty.
Over and above losing Horwill, Genia, Cooper, and Hanson, there’s been Scott Higginbotham, Ben Mowen, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Laurie Monaghan, Dom Shipperley and James O’Connor – just to name a few.
Losing out on David Pocock and Israel Folau originally were also two major blunders.
With the roster so thin on talent, all Graham can do is keep lifting the inexperienced, but sadly watch the support group – the fans – dwindle away to club rugby proportions.
Last night there was just a sprinkling of fans at Suncorp, well below the 30,000-plus that used to pack the stands when the Reds were a force.
Despite all those valid reasons, the cries to punt Graham get louder.
The alternatives?
Nick Styles is the forwards coach, Matt O’Connor the attack coach.
One of rugby and rugby league’s most remarkable and resilient reps – Brad Thorn – with 21 years of representative experience in the two codes, has had his name thrown around.
Now 41, Thorn has been there, done that, but has never coached before,
Being a great footballer is no guarantee of being a great coach, even though it’s a stand-up start.
The safer way is to retain Richard Graham, and hope Slipper, Douglas, and Gill overcome their injuries sooner than later.
It’s not ideal, but it’s better than any alternatives,