The Reds need Quade Cooper. They’ve been woeful in 2016.
Without the 58 test playmaker at Ballymore the Reds have been about as entertaining as root canal therapy, displaying the aggression, speed, urgency, communication and ball skills of a statue!
Despite the imminent arrival of veteran stars Stephen Moore and George Smith, the Reds are not only lacking a head coach, they are lacking a genuine back line general to capitalise on the formidable forward pack assembled for 2017.
The much yearned for success at Ballymore sought since their inaugural Super Rugby title in 2011 will fall father from the Reds radar if the Queensland Rugby Union fail to select the right coach and furthermore secure Cooper’s signature for the next three years.
However with Cooper reserving a decision on where he will ply his trade until the coaching make up at the Reds is finalised, more questions are raised.
Are the Queensland Rugby Union potentially going to avoid hiring a preferred coaching candidate to cater to Cooper’s wants?
It’s a seminal call if they do as Cooper would have clearly stated the influence he intends to bring to Ballymore in his second tenure.
I for one would not accept during negotiations Cooper has not made his own thoughts known to those making the decisions. Why would he make the QRU guess? It just does not seem logical.
It is reported that Queenslander Nick Stiles is Cooper’s preferred option and further to that it is understood that the former Terrace prop is very highly regarded by those making the decisions.
Why wouldn’t he be considering his own playing pedigree coupled with his success as an NRC coach of Brisbane.
If this is so, why are those at Ballymore not announcing their decision until next week? Do they rate Matt O’Connor or the likeable New Zealander Todd Blackadder higher but have been unable to sell either to Cooper?
It is whispered that prior to Cooper signing on with the ARU at least one person of influence at the QRU did not rate Todd Blackadder, so I would be surprised if we were to seek the former All Black skipper with the clip board at Ballymore.
I’m not writing him off but if Cooper is influencing things serious consideration must be given to the turbulent relationship between Cooper and another former Crusaders Coach in Robbie Deans.
Perhaps the Cantabrian style is not one conducive to Cooper and the QRU do not wish to take that risk despite Blackadder’s credentials?
If Quade is going to have an influence on the final say, the question for the QRU is what coach will allow Cooper the latitude and freedom to play his best rugby as without that, success remains well on the horizon.
Whomever it is I suggest they take a leaf out of Ewen McKenzie’s book and give Cooper leadership responsibility.
Why not? If he is going to have influence why not give him leadership also? Who could doubt that when given the Wallaby vice captaincy on the end of season tour of 2013 Quade Cooper did not play some outstanding rugby despite a undeserved yellow card and on-field argument with fellow Queenslander Rob Simmons during the Welsh test?
I submit that despite Matt O’Connor being credentialed enough to take on the role, Quade Cooper and the Reds would actually be better served by local boy Nick Stiles.
It is no secret Queenslanders like to keep things ‘in house’ but Quade Cooper and his backs will need front-foot ball if they are to threaten higher honours. Whilst Michael Foley might be looking for a forwards coaching role, I can’t think of a better combination that Nick Stiles and Brad Thorn sharpening the likes of Moore, Kane Douglas, Leroy Houston, and Smith, whilst also developing Taniela Tuopo, Michael Gunn, and Andrew Ready along the way.
Wallabyies coach Michael Cheika would quietly be comfortable with such an arrangement. Cooper, Queensland and Australia need the same thing – front-foot ball.
As legendary Queensland prop Greg Holmes stated: “What he’s done (Stiles) to help Sef Fa’agase, Taniela Tupou and Andrew Ready, three of our young props and hookers, is going to put them in good stead for seasons to come.”
In considering this I submit Quade Cooper at 28 knows enough about back line play but needs a coach that will give him the forwards to weave his magic.
I think he would flourish under Stiles with the captains armband as the man himself said, “I’m 28 and I don’t want to waste another day of my career because of my own doing or someone else.” I think we are on the cusp of Quade Cooper reaching his true potential as a rugby player and leader. I hope the QRU gives him the right coach to do so.
Timbo (L)
Guest
I think that the readers have taken the article as fact, not just someones sensationalized opinion. As an employee, Cooper has a right to make sure he is happy with the "new boss" His option is to go somewhere else, if they will have him, not choose the coach as the title of the article implies.
Timbo (L)
Guest
Let's not kid ourselves Toulon dumped Cooper, not the other way around.
Vic rugby
Guest
Lol deliberately avoided the point there twas
Buk
Guest
Marius I am a Queensland supporter. Good to read your views.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Where has Quade tried to dictate anything here?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What top players has Blackadder attracted?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
When was Meehan a successful coach? He took Bath to a Challenge Cup Final, but was also let go a year before the end of his contract. Since then he was attack coach at the Force in 2013 - Massive Fail Reds attack coach 2014 to 2015 - Massive Fail Queensland Country Head Coach in 2014 - Fail. So at the end of 2015 when he left the Reds, he'd hardly shown any recent coaching ability in Australia. Graham may be well regarded by he was a proven failure as a Head Coach before coming to the Reds. Interestingly him and Quade worked together quite well when he was an assistant with the Wallabies.
Squirrel
Guest
What a joke. He failed miserably in Europe and thinks he dictate here. Try league you imposter
Boz the Younger
Guest
Well said Redsback, with Styles and Thorne coaching the forwards the Reds can leave it to Quade to get the ball to the big, fast ball runners it the Reds backline. That is what McKenzie did and he got the best out of Cooper of any coach.
Boz the Younger
Guest
"Toddy" just capped off 9 years coaching some of the best players on Earth with another failure to with the Super Rugby title. We don't need him but we need Cooper.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
1992 was not part of Super Rugby as we now know it (in spit of name similarities). Following the collapse of the South Pacific Championship in 1990, a competition know as Super 6 was started in 1992 with teams from Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington, along with two Aussie state teams, Qld and NSW, and Fiji. That was won by Queensland. It was further revamped in 1993 to Super 10 post apartheid to include teams from South Africa. The teams were from Auckland, North Harbour, Waikato, Otago, Natal, Transvaal, Northern Transvaal, Qld, NSW and Western Samoa (as the Pacific Nations representative). The Super 10 was won by Transvaal (South Africa) in 1993, and by Queensland in 1994 and 1995. These were amateur tournaments. "Super Rugby" (as we now know it) coincided with the professionalism of Rugby in 1995 post RWC in South Africa and commenced as a professionally run tournament administered by SANZAR in 1996. Super Rugby continues with expanded number of teams to 18 in 2016.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
You Will W QOS are not wrong in remembering that ..... "Blackadder was the coach when against all odds post earthquake still got Crusaders to final against Reds without having played a ‘home’ game?" ... That was in 2011. I recall that year well and recall your memory did not fail you ... how do I know that ... I was with you at the final at Suncorp! ... *S*
RobC
Roar Guru
I think the is the silver lining from hiring RG, is the return of Nick. I think he is an awesome leader, an excellent communicator, a peerless SR set piece coach and very good NRC head coach. SR? playing against the Kiwis at home and in NZ? Preparing for tours in elevated SA? Playing against other Aussie teams like the Rebels and Rising, is different to playing against NZ teams like the Chiefs Crusaders Landers etc. Case in point: Brums HC and WB attack coach, Bernie Larkham. The best thing imo, is to build a winning coaching / player combination with an experienced international level campaigner. Then hand over the reigns, whilst instituting a coaching academy in Qld
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday Nick. I think its also very simple. Reds will choose a coach within the month. QC will decide soon after. Just like many of us. Whilst it may not be obvious. Im a HUGE HUGE fan of QC. Bigger than Train even. Ive researched him probably more than anything or anybody else. And I want him back in Qld. BUT. I would discard him 100x over for the right coach. There's many reasons for that. I'll just state one. He was injured for long spells every year since 2011 except 2013. Odds are, it will happen again. Hanging the Reds hat on him, is not good management.
RumB01
Guest
What? Since when does a player pick a coach? This bloke hasn't even been signed by the Reds but already he's pulling strings to parachute him into a comfy cosy spot to see out his days. The Reds are desperate, sure, and QCs track record is not something to be proud of but this is a very wrong way to go.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
So having played in a different era you're an expert in Quade Cooper personality analysis. Not to mention coaching. Did you coach in a different era alongside Deans / Graham et al as well ? And it's terribly rude of people to trundle out stats is it ? Why is that do you not like the intrusion of facts into this cute little "former player" narrative you're trotting out?
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Thanks Marius, it's never a chore talking rugby and getting other people thoughts, insights and opinions etc.
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Hi Rob, no problems. I don't think any of the candidates were imbeciles but clearly the Reds have lost credibility with their owns fans since 2011 and the business of rugby in Queensland simply can't afford not to be a credible, viable competitive option in the south-east Queensland sporting market. I think The Australians own Wayne Smith (The best rugby scribe in the land) is doing a fantastic job highlighting the ARU's preference for the Waratah's as it is important for the code to have such a presence in the Sydney sporting market.Cheika's argument for Hayne is a valid one, but if the ARU's development plan, as well pointed out by Smith is to fork out coin for players who can't even play for the Wallabies then we have issues. If it came down to having Jarryd Hayne or Quade Cooper at the Reds next season I would take Cooper every day of the week and twice on Sunday. The man gets people through the gates, but also makes Queensland such a better side when he is in that #10 jumper. And that is what is required. Queensland Rugby needs Quade now more than ever, what Queensland does not need is a coach who is going to constrict Cooper, but one that will collaboratively work in partnership with him. Whilst Nick Stiles may not be the greatest communicator, he has Brad Thorn around who is highly regarded around Ballymore and no doubt with the players. With Cooper on board they won't need to fork out for a backs coach - give that responsibility to Quade. Just get him a damn good advisor who Quade can work with. Clearly Cooper's past is an issue for some, but that past is now a fair way behind him. He handled the Wallaby vice captaincy well and has a record now of performing when given leadership and responsibility. Give him more. Didn't seem to phase Dylan Hartley too much.
Peter Hughes
Roar Rookie
HEY all you guys NICK STYLES has been one of the coaches all season. You can't validly state he's not partly responsible for the Reds performances this year.
longblakdock
Guest
reds need a new style of rugby - they need to look over the ditch,