The Reds vs Sunwolves game shaped as a perfect way to test my wavering faith in rugby.
I’d spent winter to-ing and fro-ing over whether to unshackle myself from worried brow-furrowings over the state of the game or just end it all and continue down the path to casual fandom.
So I was looking for something from this game to break the tie and settle the issue once and for all.
But, if anything, I am even less sure of my position than before the game.
I’ll start with the good. Suncorp Stadium (and surrounds) is excellent and the standard of rugby was good too, with not many dropped balls and plenty of tries.
The Reds’ set pieces were contested well, and the backs finally seemed to click together, albeit against a depleted Sunwolves who were courageous in the circumstances and provided worthy opposition.
To temper the good we also had the lacklustre crowd – officially 11,000, but poor nonetheless – and some refereeing ‘deciding’ the outcome.
George Smith’s final game probably deserved a little more fanfare and hype, but he was roundly applauded as he was shown onscreen towards the end of proceedings – and I would assume he was consulted on this.
George Smith (Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons)
It was the last game of the season for both teams, and at times it showed, but all up pretty good.
So, why am I still left undecided?
It’s a strange feeling to have seen your team win back-to-back matches pretty handsomely and not really engage. I’m sure the team feels settled and building nicely for a good season next year, but that’s them, not me.
I feel left out, and I can’t seem to find my way back into the Reds.
It might be part of my greater malaise, but I feel a lack of connection to the game and players, and I’m not sure why.
The dead rubber certainly didn’t help. Maybe it’s general sporting fatigue setting in after watching the FIFA World Cup. Either way, I will continue seeking answers to these questions.
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In other news, the weekend saw the group stage of Super Rugby wrap up for the minority of teams taking part in the competition. While the abacuses were slowly being worn out to determine the chances of certain teams making the finals, things fell the way they did, as only the rugby gods decide.
How unfortunate for the Rebels it was, but honestly, they were never going to win the competition. In fairness, I will eat my hat if the Sharks get the title too – not because they aren’t good teams, but it’s just the other teams look better.
Also, by having more than half the teams make the final, it is poor form to blame anyone else for not making the finals.
One thing that I do feel certain of is that the change to the three conference system feels more balanced going into the finals. I hope they continue with this in future, rather than going back to the two-division-four-conference system of the last couple of seasons.
I wish we had some sort of data on the ‘unfairness’ factor facing some teams, but I’m sure the Hurricanes would feel it is ‘fairer’ this season than it was last.
So, another week of rugby passes and the malaise hasn’t passed… I can only hope the pointy end of the season embiggens the fever lying dormant within.
If you would like to hear more Reds and rugby discussion, check out the podcast ‘What the ruck’ which has a special guest this week: me!
Big Red V
Guest
Correct Bobby. I am a Queeslander and was supporting the likes of the Reds, Richmond and St George (the last 2 long before the Lions and Broncos showed up) and have stuck with those hem through thisk and thin ( a darn lot of thin in there I can tell you). My belief is like voting. If you vote, you have a right to whinge. Don't vote, shut your pie-hole!! If you support your team (in whateever manner you choose), you have a right to criticse, praise, love or hate them. Give up on them, then you were never a supporter in the first place!!
Bobby McGee
Guest
Sorry the post never came up for almost an hour but now I have 2 posts saying the same thing lucky me
Jacko
Guest
Not a lot of hope Neutral as crowds are down across all SR Aus teams by very similar %ages. NRL is also undergoing big issues with crowd numbers and it appears people dont want to go to live games like they used to. 2018 stats say...... NSW Waratahs (14,949) Queensland Reds (12,101) Rebels (9,821) Brumbies (8,391 Article from 2015 )In 2006, South Africa posted an average Super Rugby crowd of 34,000, Australia 24,000 and New Zealand 22,000. By 2012, those numbers had dropped across the board: South Africa was down to 28,000, Australia 20,000 and New Zealand 16,000. And they keep dropping
Bobby McGee
Guest
I cant agree. I am a fan, not a team owner and as a fan I have no right to coach, select or name the team. My SR team has had coaches and players I did not want but thats not my decision to make. If being a fan based on the coach or team is your go then so be it but I will support my team no matter who coaches or who is named in the squad or in the match day 23 each week and will be a supporter until the day I die or the team is disbanded. I do not believe in being a fickle fan and only supporting or attending if I like the coach and he selects who I want in the side. If I want that then I will attempt to become a coach
Bobby mcgee
Guest
My SR team is being coached by someone I would never have picked either but I dont pack a big sad and have a sook about it. I will be a fan until the day I die or the day they shut my team down...If being a ficle fan is your thing thats fine but its not mine. Life isnt always about what I want or dont want and us fans are here to support our team, not to decide who coaches or who plays for them. That is what team owners do.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
I can’t get into club rugby because I have lived all over Brisbane and don’t identify with any of the teams. However, I have enjoyed the NRC and Super W games that I have attended at Ballymore, for the same reasons others get into their club footy, a carnival atmosphere with lower prices. It is an added bonus to be at the spiritual home of rugby in Queensland and to see future Reds in development. Maybe you could get along to some of those games Andrew?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Gabbie, I'll see your Townsville and raise you a New York. I'd be very happy to get to attend any game - Super or club, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Townsville or Dungog. I'm resigned to being able to see a replay of Super matches or occasionally get up at 5:30 am for a live game in OZ or sometimes see a live game from South Africa at a reasonable time. My ironic disappointment is that I'll actually be in Sydney in October and November - too late for the RC, but in time to see the Northern Hemisphere tests in the middle of the night when I could have seen them comfortably in New York. And I'm even struggling to find an NRC match I can attend then.
Andrew Kennard
Roar Pro
How are the force going? We aren't getting any advertising for the matches here on the east coast, but the games are being shown on free to air, so that is awesome. I actually saw the last part of the Samoa game last weekend, it looked very wet... It will be interesting to see what happens next year when the competition starts up officially.
Andrew Kennard
Roar Pro
Cheers Geoff, I'll definitely try to get to some NRC matches this spring. I will cover it in another article, but I guess the question of what role super rugby is playing is part of the problem. I feel it is trying to be too many things at once.
Andrew Kennard
Roar Pro
Hey Gabbie, yeah they probably need to be rebranded as the Brisbane reds... I know they used to play a game each year up there, but they dropped that what 10 years ago...? The cowboys are up there every second week, unfortunately, rugby is not. Where does the QLD country team in the NRC play their games?
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Ive been to every Force game this season (even last weekend in almost cyclonic conditions). So what if people say "it's not a real competition", It's great fun with a ton of kids laughing, watching and enjoying the game along with the adults. There is a great atmosphere and a real "brothers in arms" feeling among the crowd. Last year's NRC matches here in Perth also had a great carnival feel about it, I'm looking forward to this year's comp.
SOS
Guest
Couldn’t agree with you more! This year was the first year that I didn’t make it to a Reds game since the 80’s, even in 2000 when living in London, I travelled to South Africa to see them take on the Sharks and the Cats, but the manner in which they have managed the QC situation and even Stiles amongst other things has left me hollow for the team. Gone are the days that I am willing to fork out money for a jersey (didn’t even feel this way in 2006 when I purchased both the home and away kits), gone are the day that I am willing to jump on a plane and spend my hard earned cash on a road trip, gone are the days of getting up a 2am to see a South African derby! Whilst there is great talent coming through, I just don’t have the passion for the team and I think this has been brought about by the lack or respect shown management to the loyal and passionate supporters. Like everyone else commenting, I find myself connecting with club rugby more and more now and whilst I have always enjoyed the club scene, I am now opting to take in a club game over Super rugby.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah I noticed that a lot a suncorp for the ol reds lately. It's all sorta half open.
Jumbo
Guest
I myself struggle to get out to games these days because of work and age. I think the lagging crowd numbers are just the sign of the times. Most of the younger generation don’t head out to these events these days, they live in front of the iPad instead, live streaming while IMessaging and a few lollie waters is the hip thing now. Good bye to the good ol days, when there was nothing on tele anyway and you headed to the rugby for a few beers and a yarn with the boys.
woodart
Guest
yes, the spectator experience at club rugby is usually far supieror and far far cheaper. you can usually get very close to the sidelines, and really get a feel for the effort that the players put in. its easier to move round the ground to look at different parts of the play. try that at most big grounds and some security guard will give you a hard time. taking super games away from the main ground and back to the sticks is something that really works and all super teams should be doing.it breeds goodwill to the teams ,that no amount of overpaid spruikers can do.
Hoy
Roar Guru
If I didn't go to Reds, I would struggle to get out in Brisbane these days... as I age, there isn't just a "Saturday night" reason to go out anymore... So on one hand, I love it... But at Suncorp, it costs $20 for three chicken pieces and chips and a water. $20!! The staff apologise to you when they announce the price. Not to mention the prices of beer! Boy it stings at times. Plus, this year, we all suffered the indignity of having half the place shut up... half the toilets were shut, so I had to take my child 50 metres up the field to the closest open toilets... I mean it's the self fulfilling prophecy isn't it? "Not big crowds, so we will shut up toilets so we don't have to clean them..." "No toilets are open, and it costs heaps of money to get food and drink, so I won't go..." Anyway, that's my whine.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
In 2014. 2014 was the start of the decline. Early season crowds were strong but as lack of results game they dropped off, only propped up by a late Waratahs game.
Danny
Roar Rookie
I like what you saying there Nick. I have only missed one Reds home game this year, and I actually a Cane's supporter, but probably more just a rugby tragic, and reds play where I live. Like most regulars there it was quite hard to get into it a lot as at times it looked a little 1 step forward ,2 steps back, then maybe 3 steps forward etc etc. I know I will continue to watch Super rugby until the end, but in the meantime mate and I have decided rest of season maybe taken up with GPS college rugby, get a connect with some young un's coming through etc. I honestly believe next year will be an improvement, they will try and curtail the TMO's involvement I think, and I really believe generally the Aus teams will be more competitive.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
The crowd numbers between 2011-14 are very very impressive. So where did it all go wrong? Is there still hope that the Reds can attract that kind of crowd numbers again?
Bob
Guest
Queensland Reds Season Average Attendance 2011: 33,254 2012: 34,217 2013: 31,848 2014: 28,190 2015: 20,199 2016: 21,780 2017: 15,115 2018: 12,101 (source: Wikipedia)