It only took two rounds of the Super Rugby season for the first coach to bite the dust.
Perenially under pressure Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham has copped the sack from Queensland Rugby Union, after back-to-back losses against the Waratahs and the Force.
Graham will be replaced by interim co-coaches Matt O’Connor and Nick Stiles until a replacement is found for the 2017 season.
The two convincing results have made the Reds backflip on the move to reappoint Graham at the end of last season, where the incumbent coach did enough to convince the powers-that-be at Reds HQ that he was the man to lead the team’s resurgence, having been forced to reapply for his job.
QRU Chairman Damien Frawley thanked Graham for his contribution to the Reds.
“I’d like to thank Richard for his contribution over the past number of years. Richard is a proud Queenslander who has spent his life in Rugby and while he hasn’t achieved the success we all would have wished for during his time as head coach, he leaves with our gratitude for his service to the game.
“QRU conducted a high-performance review in the middle of last year and as a result implemented significant change across our Rugby department. At that time the Board made the decision to reappoint Richard as head coach for a year, but we always said there would be periods within the 2016 Super Rugby season where we would take stock of how the team was performing.
“We believe, through our high-performance review process, we have implemented the necessary changes to support both interim head coaches during the 2016 season and whoever takes on the head coach role in 2017.”
QRU CEO Jim Carmichael praised Graham’s contribution to the Reds.
“Richard’s loyalty to the organisation is beyond question and we thank him for all he has done during a difficult time for the Reds.
“He has helped identify, develop and nurture many future stars of the Reds which fans will come to know and love in time as this young side reaches the potential we know it possesses.
“As he has done through his time at QRU, Richard handled this difficult decision with characteristic humility and stoicism.”
Graham said: “I’m naturally disappointed. I loved my role with the Reds and enjoyed my time with the QRU. I am in a high-performance environment and the results haven’t been to a satisfactory standard. I have to accept that and move on.
“I wish everybody the best and want to formally thank the competent and dedicated support staff I have worked with over the last three years for their tireless efforts.
“I really hope the team and Reds coaching staff have success going forward.”
Reds captain James Slipper said: “It’s disappointing it has to end like this for someone who cares so much about the place. Richard has always had the best interests of the players and the team in mind and we’ve always had respect for him and the genuine care he has for the Reds and Queensland Rugby.”
It was only August last year that Graham was reappointed as coach, and they said at the time he was the right man to lead the team to future success.
“The recent Reds High Performance Review made clear recommendations around the structure of our organisation,” the Reds said at the time.
“On the back of further recommendations from the review, QRU ran an open and thorough process for the roles of head coach and also attack and defence coaches. The Coaching Review Panel considered over 20 coaching applications from the local and international Rugby markets.
“We fully understand that the results of the Reds over the last two seasons have been unacceptable, however we feel strongly that Richard is the right man to lead us into the 2016 season under this new structure.”
Originally coming in as a successor to Ewen McKenzie after being head coach of the Force, Graham has not enjoyed much success at Super Rugby level, but it was believed he was the right successor to the Wallabies coach in waiting.
Under Graham’s coaching the Western Force won seven of 24 matches, while the Reds won nine of the 34 matches he was in charge for.
Hello
Roar Rookie
Now JIM CARMICHAEL TO STEP DOWN AS QUEENSLAND RUGBY UNION CEO AT YEAR'S END http://view.e.redsrugby.com.au/?qs=0d201a2e74c987756081c0a12dacd14873b90b099dcfa6e898513a33ecfdc9fda4e9affa557653e615ddf9e33e014b28cf547f57a2662a21f3d83284e5804f038f640a100e8bdb86
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
At the end of Extra Time. When they were 12-all at Full Time. Not sure how you can say any team that forces a game to extra time were never in it. They were a penalty away from winning at at 80 minutes...
Bakkies
Guest
Are the Stormers bosses fans of Split Enz?
Bakkies
Guest
Howard is wasting his time in Cricket and get slaughtered in the press regardless of what decisions he makes.
Bakkies
Guest
He had to bring through players. It's a constant thing at Leinster as you can go through periods where over 30 players are out through injuries, under 20s and test call ups. His solution was to bring in more high end imports which isn't allowed as you're only limited to four non eligible players and one player who is willing to commit to become eligible. Kane Douglas bailed out due to Cheika's input in bringing him back to Australia so another lock how to be brought. Rank average players with no upside and geriatrics were played in that position. Now Ross Molony is getting games (got man of the match in his first start) and there are capable of players in the Leinster A squad who have been identified. He refused to play Garry Ringrose now he is in the Irish squad pushing for a test spot. We will see what will happen when Henshaw joins Leinster next season. Josh van der Flier only got a run at the end of last season through injuries and Séan O'Brien missing a truck load of games, Cullen has made him a regular now and he is pushed out Jordi Murphy. Isaac Boss and Gopperth played brutal Rugby last season passing up opportunities to build up a combination between Luke McGrath and Madigan. Sexton was brought back for this season while MOC was still head coach. Madigan is so disillusioned he has signed to play for Bordeaux. McGrath has just started to make up lost time.
Bakkies
Guest
Leinster weren't in it. O'Brien scored in the last minute when the game was over. The signs were there in the QF. Leinster didn't score a try against Bath and George Ford cut them up twice running through gaping holes that led to tries. Can't do that against Giteau, Bastereaud, Mermoz and co.
kombiutedriver
Guest
"Moribund" really summed up the Red's performance on Saturday night.
riddler
Guest
dave.. well put.. i am an unabashed fan of the the guy.. class him as a friend, albeit from way back.. besides being a quality bloke he was, before he busted his leg, one of the best players i ever played with or against.. it was time for a change, saturday's game was a bit of a shocker.. the players looked slow and without purpose.. no pride.. hope for rugby's sake, that they pick it up this week now that the coach has gone..
riddler
Guest
twas u seem to be in the loop.. i am certainly not.. but mckenzie, from what i have been told, fell out at the tahs, stade and then the reds maybe there is more than we know.. and also the reds were not too flash in mckenzie's last season.. bit like woodward with england.. people conveniently forget the not so good stuff thatc came after the glory.. i am not one for politics, just want to enjoy my rugby and if my teams win then even better, but unfortunately politics is a big part of the sport.. hopefully we get a good coach, who knows how to play that political game, bring back some smiles to the reds fan and more importantly gets people playing and watching the game..
riddler
Guest
bakkies he followed patty howard at the tigers and that is one name i would love to see back in rugby and love him to get the reds job..
riddler
Guest
true bakkies.. mates in ireland have said the same.. he was sacked two years into a three year contract if memory serves me correctly.. also i am not a big believer in stiles.. the scrum has been good.. the lineout has been good when simmons is there.. the rest of our forward play has been decidedly below average.. the buck stops with the head coach, naturally, but stiles and o'connor are not going to get this ship right...
RobC
Roar Guru
I wonder how the Bulls see the red cloth. Is there an estoque behind somewhere?
Harry Jones
Expert
RobC The Missing Link returns. Brisbane Born Again. I think you miss QC. Ja, I am not a fan of all this red in the Stormer kit. Unless it's on the socks. I believe in not making your opponents see you so easily.
RobC
Roar Guru
Howzit Harry. Some Reds teams win one way or the other: - How about the Lions eh? - Stormers also wearing Red - Even Sunwolves didnt lose this week. - The real reds lost the game, lost a coach, lost the plot, lost the season Next? - May get messy. Players are boss-less - Administrators will be in survival mode. Remove the coach, deflect the fact they have no Plan B, and wasted another season Technical. Too many too add: - Key imo is BREAKDOWN and DEFENCE re coach. You live by the sword (EM), you die by the sword (RG). No idea. Some thoughts: - Laurie Fisher available next year. Awesome man manager, along with BD + D - Poach one of the NZ Sth Island head coaches? - The boldest move is to bring back EM. He will have no WB ambitions and have some scores to settle. And we love him. Direction? Easier said than done. Article coming
Bakkies
Guest
The Brumbies set piece was mostly solid in that mess. It only went to pot when Alexander got in to the habit of putting his hand on the ground at scrum time.
Bfc
Guest
Yep...on Sat night our attack truly sucked! We dominated the scrums and lineout but did zilch with the ball...why isn't the "attacks coach" also under pressure? We had less attack than England....
Bfc
Guest
Mate...we live in hope!
Who?
Guest
Also, they do a lot of 1 and 3 game memberships.
Harry Jones
Expert
RobC my man. What's next for the Reddish Reds? What direction? What about Big Kev as coach?
Harry Jones
Expert
He was a lover; not a fighter.