Eleven rounds into the Super Rugby season with only two wins on the board after a 46-17 loss to the Chiefs, the Reds could use a season-wide stocktake, fun though it may not be.
That said, the Reds are only seven points shy of Australian conference leaders the Brumbies, plus they have done all their tough travel and don’t have to play any of the top tournament teams. Therefore it is worth considering what they might need to do to improve from here.
First it is important to consider what the Reds are doing well, and the stats indicate what we see on our screens – they have a very credible attack. They have scored 29 tries in their ten games (2.9 per game), which nothing to be ashamed of, and have scored 25 in the seven games Quade Cooper has been steering (3.57 per game), so there is clear evidence that if he plays, the Reds play considerably better.
The Reds are also fortunate to have a backline full of strike weapons for Cooper to feed, with Duncan Paia’aua, Samu Kerevi, Izaia Perese, Etonia Nabuli, Karmichael Hunt and Campbell Magnay all able to damage the opposition. That’s without mentioning some very handy forward runners in Scott Higginbotham, Hendrik and Lukhan Tui and George Smith.
Of particular note is that the Reds lead the Australian conference in the number of offloads this season, with 140 being the fourth highest in the competition. They also lead the Aussie conference when it comes to own ruck success, which sits at 95 per cent as another facilitator for them to succeed at ‘running rugby’. Hopefully the Reds will keep this up and build on it.
But despite the ability to damage the opposition, the Reds are coming up short when it comes to the most important statistic: wins on the board.
The reasons for this include scrums and lineouts, which have been fair to poor. The former is perhaps more understandable given the loss of the Red’s best propping stocks overseas and to injury, but given the experience of players such as Stephen Moore, Rob Simmons and Higgenbotham in the lineout, they should do better than eleventh in the competition at winning their own – though in fairness to Higgers, he has stolen five lineouts this season, a tremendous contribution.
But the statistics that really stick out relate to discipline and defence. Topping the competition with nine yellow cards and a red is not good enough, though aside from Smith’s yellow card against the Chiefs it was good to see a game where the Reds were only penalised five times. I had the impression that they were being more careful in that regard.
Defence, however, was poor and has been all season, particularly in the backline. Some players, like Kerevi and Nabuli, have dropped their tackle completion rates by ten per cent or more this season – in fact not a single one of the regular starting backs has a tackle completion rate of 80 per cent or higher.
One thing that caught my eye on Saturday night was that Campbell Magnay, in only his second game of the season, was outstanding in defence, making nine from ten tackles.
As per last year when he first played Super Rugby, Magnay frenetically stalked the backline with those long legs from 13, looking for defensive work and hitting hard when he found it. His tackles were the difference that blunted the Chief’s attack on a couple of occasions.
Magnay is not scared of hitting a breakdown either – sometimes to the detriment of his own attacking opportunities, because he tends to look for contact when a 13 should be looking for space – but nobody can doubt his spirit or power, and, to an extent, getting him the ball in space is the responsibility of the players inside him.
When he is given the ball in space by the playmakers, Magnay is as dangerous as any of his teammates, and he can break the line and when he does he is fast enough to accelerate away from most defenders.
I wonder whether Nick Stiles needs to start Magnay more often this season. He can play wing or outside centre and could be rotated off the wing to cover the centres in defence.
Not only would this stiffen the Reds defence without compromising the attack, it would also send a message to the likes of Kerevi, Perese and Nabuli that irrespective of how good they are with the ball in hand they are expected to succeed in defence if they want to keep their starting spots.
Waxhead
Guest
Agree Rhys. But as most of us who played at high level know - defense is mostly an attitude and desire thing. And most of our super players individually can tackle great when they really want too. Look at Wallabies v Wales in 2015 RWC pool game for an example. Yes structures and trust levels can be improved but ................ The current defense issue looks to be mostly player attitude imo
Xiedazhou
Guest
Yeah ironically, the defence against the Kings went to pieces after the much maligned Cooper was rested. And some of the Reds worst defensive performances were during his suspension. yet some folks can't help themselves and single him out. Sad really..
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Thank Pinetree. I don't know why they fade, could be fitness l?
Rhys Bosley
Guest
"Call me old-school, but there is a strong case to be made to go ‘back’ to putting defense first for the rest of this Superugby season for all teams." Agreed, that is what Larkham appears to have done and while the Brumbies aren't setting the World on fire, they are leading the conference by a game with a game in hand.
Rouaan
Guest
I am pleased somebody wrote an article on the defensive woes of the Reds. However it is currently (for the last few years already) the BIGGEST problem for me in AUS rugby. It looks like all the NZ teams have now adopted the so-called rush defense, although they don't do it at all times, but it is now clear they do it most of the times. When they play each other, you never see a blow-out score, like when they play the AUS teams. I don't understand Cheika's comment a few weeks ago that the AUS teams must just play better. It looks like neither the coaches nor the players have a clue how to play better. Call me old-school, but there is a strong case to be made to go 'back' to putting defense first for the rest of this Superugby season for all teams. It should be a national directive. That way it will force coaches and players to work out a 'national plan' so that the Wallabies' defense can be better than last year. It is now common place for the AUS teams to miss between 30-45 tackles per match and they are always out-flanked on the field with a few attackers. A totally broken system for all 5 teams. That is just ridiculous.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
We don't seem to have recruited a replacement full back.
DOUBLES
Guest
Yep his knee is not good..He is not going to get a crack at a Wallaby jersey even if on one leg he has more try assists in one game than Foley does in 30. . He`ll just go back to club rugby in june with the mighty south magpies..He turns up to a fair few club games with Samu ( Magpies) ... Lukhan Tui even runs the water for premier grade.
Ballymore Brumby
Roar Pro
I agree that's another issue for Qld, is that with 10-15 minutes left in the match they just switch off - the Kings match at Easter was a case in point where you'd think they were already down Caxton Street having a post match beer instead of trying to finish off the match. Up in the stands nobody had any nails left as the Kings staged a pretty decent comeback effort.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Waxhead, everyone loses something on the backend of an ACL reconstruction (Tim Horan the exception). I cannot recall the exact chronology but I remember Cooper playing some of his best rugby on an end of year tour post recovery, maybe 2014? Watching him in the last two games it's pretty obvious he's carrying a knee injury. His shoulder reconstruction knocked him around too.....he's had a bad run regardless.
Pinetree
Guest
Great stuff here Rhys, enjoyed that read. Out of the 42 tries conceded for the Reds this season, I see that 17 were first half tries and 25 were 2nd half tries. But more telling is that 15 tries have been scored from the 60-80 min mark. Do you think that this could have something to do with bench management? Is the coach bringing on players at the right time? Is he leaving players on that are tired or has the bench not added the impact? Only the Rebels (19) and Cheetahs (17) have conceded more tries in the final 20 mins of the match, and the next worst is the Stormers on 11 tries conceded in the last 20, so the Reds certainly have to sure up their defence in that last quarter. The Tahs and the Crusaders matches come to mind with that defence letting them down in the last quarter in winnable games.
Waxhead
Guest
yes and with GENIA inside him. But Quade has never been the same player after his knee reconstruction. He lost a metre of pace, lost his step and zip and it has never returned. For a player like him that was deadly and turned him into a journeyman mostly. He's greatly improved his defense to his credit but his goal kicking & error rate remain a disappointment imo
Waxhead
Guest
OMG Rhys talk about clutching at straws :) After Reds concentrate on defense they should concentrate on attack imo - cos it's pedestrian. After concentrating on attack they should move to set pieces, discipline, tactical kicking, goal kicking, kickoff receiving and closing out the last 20 minutes. Then they need a vastly improved player roster, a new captain and a new better coach too.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But I believe he is never a good player when he is “the main man”. For example, he was much better when he had Berrick Barnes alongside him…long time ago, I know. Except that's not the case. Quade never became a test option until Barnes left the Reds and he started playing without Berrick. Almost the opposite of what happened in fact. Quade made his name as a Super Rugby player, playing alongside Anthony Fainga'a.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
They are finals contenders, one Aussie team gets a spot irrespective of how crap we all do, so it is worth fighting for. In any case my highlighting the Red's good performance in attack, was more to serve the purpose of juxtapose how they are letting themselves down in the setpiece, discipline and defence. I.e. "ok, we know you can score tries Reds so how about concentrating on tackling for a bit".
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Tru dat cuw
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Ta Rugnut.
mzilikazi
Guest
Glad you have written this article Rhys...lot of things aired that need to be. Very hard year for all who love, and have pride in Qld. Rugby. "For as long as Cooper is selected, Qld will have a easy line to break…..just run directly at him. This has been proven time and time again, but the blind just will not see. Qld’s season is over. Try Hunt at flyhalf and find/blood a new goal kicker. Cooper is not worth the minimum salary he is paid – ask Toulon." Yes Realist, a very good post. I am saddened that Quade has not been able to do better this year. But I believe he is never a good player when he is "the main man". For example, he was much better when he had Berrick Barnes alongside him...long time ago, I know. I think he is basically not a good footballer....and certainly not a "smart" player. By that I mean that he lacks the finesse and judgement at critical moments in a game, and makes very basic and costly mistakes too frequently. Cancels out the good moments he has. Yes, Qld's season is over. So what now ?? Must be salvaging some pride, but more importantly, build now for next year. Concentrate on the young and promising players. Straighten out Kerevi's faults... he is one good player, a real powerhouse, and must not be wasted. Would George Smith not have been a better choice as captain in the past few matches ? At least he has been a leader by example.....maybe it is not something he is comfortable doing ? Don't remember him ever being a captain ? On the coaching side, I can't see the current group surviving. So a good head coach will need to be found. There is a Queenslander coaching bin Europe...Les Kiss with Ulster. I wonder if he is not well worth consideration, if available... at a price.....seems he may be easing out of the Ulster scene currently ??. Though with a Rugby League background, he has been involved in Union now since 2001....Springboks, Ireland and Waratahs. It is interesting to note that Andy Farrell is very involved with the Lions heading out to NZ...and Nic Bishop can tell us all about Phil Larder...both from Rugby League. Also look towords Rugby League for some advice/cross code help. Look at the people in Qld. who could be called upon on a one off basis perhaps...the likes of Wayne Bennett, one of Australia's all time great motivators of players. Jonathan Thurston, one of the best backs in the world in either code. I would also think that George Smith should be retained in Qld. for his ability to motivate and develop backrow players...he must be near retirement now...so get him into a coaching support role. Is Brad Thorn still with Qld ? I would have thought he would be a great asset to the Qld. A superb work ethic, I would think he would be ideal to put a hard cutting edge onto any forward pack. So, desperate times here in Qld. Rugby Union....but a time to get stuck in and rise from the ashes !
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Geez your memory is short Andrew. He had a stab from 46m against the Tahs. Had the distance but just off. I had the same view of his kicking so I looked at the numbers. After the weekend he is kicking at 66%. Most interestingly before the weekend he was kicking at 70%. When 3 shots can change your percentage so much I wouldn't read too much into it, but he'd need to improve over the course of the season certainly to show he's a decent kicking option. The big difference between him and Foley and Lance (both are superior though) is penalty shots. They have kicked at a higher percentage for penalties. However as noted, Quade has taken some from 45m out, which neither Lance or Foley have.
puff
Guest
BB, you are probably a bit more forgiving than most but professional sport is just that. In a five team home SR conference, the supporter of any franchiser has precious little to smile about. Therefore if you consider that two premier teams have most of the established talent, the game nationally is not in a good space. As both the Reds & Tah’s have struggled all season to perform for 80 minutes, hence you have used the word professional very carelessly. A club like the Reds would have an extremely competent team of behind the scene specialists who are skilled in numerous areas from medical experts to on field specially coaches. What rewards are these folk receiving for their hard work, sorry nothing.
Harty
Roar Rookie
Can't remember him taking one at that distance for a while TWAS. Both goal and general kicking has been poor this year. I'm gathering he's injured. Distance is down and last weekend just seemed like panicked kicking (I wondered at the time if it was an emotional response to NZ crowds). Straight to McKenzie to run back at us time after time...pretty risky strategy. Let's not forget the obligatory out on the full or two each game as well. Anyway he's still one of my favourite players and a big improvement on poor Jake McIntyre but he is not playing well atm.