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,
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Then there was two ... I think people power has won out against 'the club' ...
Squirrel
Guest
Get real TWAS. . The Shute shield clubs , easts , uni , Eastwood and Manly supply half the force and rebels. You just need the reds to do more beep tests in your highly performed academies or buy more Hunts. Your structure not your coach is the problem. The reds will be basket cases for 10 years
HK Red
Guest
That exodus to The Force in 2005 had nothing to do with The Reds coaching/management setup at the time. For the players it was the chance to be part of something new and exciting, and also largely about the money. Those blokes were paid over and above what the salary cap would allow (though I think some Force players eventually had trouble getting hold of those 3rd-party payments, Giteau??) and I can't blame them for chasing the cash. All clubs were meant to give up players to assist in forming a viable playing roster for The Force. It just seemed at the time, that request applied to some teams more than others. I'm not going to start analysing the numbers, but the Reds were decimated by that loss of key players
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Agree TWAS, it looks to me like the Reds players are either not sold on the gameplan laid out or they simply aren't coached to adhere to a plan.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Good? He was easily one of our best performers in 2015. That being said, he wasn't challenged much. He merely needed to turn up and reliably do his job.
Mark
Guest
Tuner was good when he wasn't injured TWAS
Jerry
Roar Rookie
Excuses being made for the Reds' lineup of players not containing any big name players. How about the Force? They don't either and they won! Take that Graham! Karma for doing the dirty on the force. Force is lucky to be rid of you.
Bfc
Guest
Interesting to observe that a on a major broadcaster of sports, they are suggesting that if one of the Assistant Coaches (both O'Connor and Stiles have 3 year contracts..) were to be considered for the Head Coach role. then O'Connor would be the front runner due to having more experience... Isn't O'Connor the "attacks coach"...? It is the attack part of the game that is underwhelming...the scrum and lineouts are doing fine... While RG is under immense pressure, surely O'Connor has to accept responsibility for the dysfunction in the backline...?
William Tell
Guest
How many Reds players left BEFORE Graham arrived - didn't Queensland populate the Western Force (who was that tall bald headed bloke?) and the Rebels and while I'm at it, the Brumbies, back a bit?
MarkB
Guest
Spot on Ethan. Reds membership staff have contacted me at the beginning of the season to renew my membership for last 2 years. Each time I have told them the day Richard Graham is replaced I will rejoin the Reds. In the last 2 years I would normally have seen 6 games at Suncorp and travelled to 4 in Sydney or Melbourne. With me are 4 friends who have done the same. We the "Fans" are voting with our feet.
dru
Roar Rookie
MOC has added little. Leaving Leinster the fans berided MOC, "Pods up the middle, he's only got one plan". Reds fans welcomed a plan, any plan, as an infinite improvement. Where are these pods? The problem is now much worse than the end of last season. The hody language in the coaching box was horrific. Holding anything from there will leave issues lingering. MOC also must go. Hopefully with enough change a Board level to bring clarity.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Good coaches improve players. If you just needed good players why would anybody employ a coach. Highlanders is such a perfect example for this discussion.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Haha indeed!
soapit
Guest
sheek. im well aware of davids experience. its regularly trotted out as an excuse for his writing i'll take your word for it he knew what he was talking about at one time. however his articles for the last few years have generally been not worthy of a paycheck. anyone giving more than a single thought bubble would have twigged that rg is responsible for the roster which is the central pillar of his argument.
Max Power
Guest
I know fun was an auto-correct but I'm certain the fun has been killed not just injured by RG.
Bobbo7
Guest
Watched the games and the Reds are rubbish. Can't run, catch, pass or kick. Surely the coach is part of the player retention issue. I feel for the. Guy, must be hard being bashed constantly but the fact is the team are poo and look like going nowhere fast.
Bakkies
Guest
Knuckles
Armchair sportsfan
Guest
Sheek...yes Lordy has been about for ages. But tenure does not mean quality. Respect needs to be earned. Maybe he was good in the 70s, not so now If he knows a thing or 10 he really needs to show it
Worlds Biggest
Guest
EJ, Jim Carmichael along with Dan Herbert and Ewen McKenzie built a powerhouse. It's very sad to see the Reds descend back into a rabble. All of this has presided over Carmichaels watch. His stock was once at an all time high, now he's at the other end of the spectrum.
Armchair sportsfan
Guest
'Laurie Monaghan' David Lord at his best!