In 1894, to reflect Queen Victoria’s robes, the Northern Union (now Queensland rugby union) wore the maroon strip for the first time. Now in 2019, Queensland league and union are united at least by colour again.
It is fitting and no surprise that this should be under head coach Brad Thorn, supported by his assistant, defence coach Peter Ryan. Both Thorn and Ryan are ex-maroon State of Origin players and dual NRL and Super Rugby Champions.
They get it. The never say die Maroons attitude and team comes first attitude.
This attitude was ingrained into them by the successful title-laden dynasty coach Wayne Bennett of the Brisbane Broncos. Thorn also experienced this mantra under title-laden Canterbury Crusaders dynastic coach Robbie Deans.
In Robbie Dean’s biography Black Red Gold, Thorn compared Bennett and Deans.
“Both are very competitive men, Thorn says, but stress doing the simple things well.
“They don’t over complicate the game, but empower their leaders and are always looking for anything – and sometimes the ideas come totally out left field – which will give their team the edge.”
For instance, as a recent convert from league, to assist Thorn’s line out technique, Deans “had Thorn’s 113-kilogram frame perched on a fence post, catching shoes being lobbed at him by the coach” (pg. 195).
Another left field idea, Deans would take a new recruit for a boat ride. Then, unexpectedly right before the river split into two paths, Deans would hand the helm of the boat over to the recruit.
Not knowing which path to take, the recruit would ask, which way to go? Deans wouldn’t answer. The recruit needed to make a decision. Hopefully the right one. Deans noted his boat never crashed.
Later, when the Crusaders lost a match due to poor decision making, Deans would say something along the lines of, ‘it doesn’t matter how expensive the boat you have, or how hard you run it, it comes back to decisions you make at the helm’.
The players got it. Hopefully, the Reds will too.
By all accounts, there is a new humility to the Reds. The 2019 Reds want to learn – they are hungry.
Just like the Maroons and Crusaders, there is a wealth of coaching experience backing them up.
Before Thorn, Ryan was the only man to win an NRL title (Broncos), and a Super Rugby Championship (Brumbies). Brad Thorn noted on Redsrugby.com that, when appointing Ryan as his assistant defence coach, “He was a tough operator as a player, and I know he will bring that attitude and hard edge as a defence coach here at the Queensland Reds.”
For attack, the Reds have brought back their 2011 Championship attack coach Jim McKay, as well as strength and conditioner Brynley Abad.
Jim McKay, the former Wallabies attack coach is a student of the game.
He even completed a Masters Degree on ‘The Role of Unstructured Practice in Elite Rugby.’
For scrums and physiotherapy, there is Cameron Lillicrap, former World Cup-winning player in 1999 and former Wallaby scrum coach at the 1999 World Cup.
Next is a welcome surprise to Reds fans, David Alred was Johnny Wilkinson’s former kicking coach and is now the kicking coach of the Queensland Reds.
This type of initiative is just plain smart on the part of Reds management.
As interviewed on rugby.com.au, Alred hopes to “Gain some additional yardage (for the Reds)… (and) create a kicking game that actually puts the back three under pressure, instead of just giving them the ball and taking it from there.
“If you like I’m trying to put the attack back in the defensive kick.”
The Reds seemingly have got their act together. CEO David Hanham has been kicking goals as interim CEO and has now been confirmed his position has been made permanent.
The coaching staff is first rate. So, we come to the players.
Do the Reds have the cattle to make a real go of it in 2019?
The simple reality is, it comes down to the players. Whether they put the hard yards in and have the fire in the belly to show up, rip in, take charge on the field and learn what it takes to win.
Until a few games are played, it is difficult to get a full lay of the land. Currently, the bookies have them as $51 odds to take the title.
My bet? They will unleash like Phar Lap out of the gates.
How will the Reds go in 2019? (AAP Image/Albert Perez)
The Reds have recently secured the services of NSW flyhalf-fullback Bryce Hegarty – who hails from Ashgrove – and Wallaby flyer Sefa Naivalu, who ran a 10.5 for a 100m back in 2011.
Slowly the pieces are coming together. To the Reds squad, remember the words of a former Maroon from yesteryear;
“If you do find yourself up against a supposedly superior opponent, and you will, don’t lose through fear of failure.
“Instead, stand tall. Work harder and smarter. Fight tough as nails.
“Put up a wall the opposition must climb over. Make them earn any victory over you. Make them sweat. The higher the pressure, the calmer and more aggressive we become.”
Do that and the maroon colour will slowly and surely become a dominant force in Super Rugby.
Good luck in 2019. The future looks bright once again in Queensland rugby.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I've heard issues with his social behaviour not aligning to the same standards that Thorn holds the players to. But that's only a rumour, not a fact.
Bobby
Guest
It comes from a senior forwards player at the Reds, told to me in confidence some time ago ! Believe it or not. It wasn't really a discussion point, just a statement.
Stephen Creagh
Guest
Lillicrap rubbish? That's certainly a first from what I know. He has long been regarded as one of the world's top scrummagers in his day and up there with the best scrum coaches in the game. And on top of that he is the team physiotherapist. A sterling appointment, most would say.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Didn't Perese walk too?
Garry
Guest
Rubber boots? Fence posts? While we still can, let's throw on the rose coloured glasses and celebrate some of the other wisdom of Dingo the Genius. I remember him selecting the Brumbies props, but swapping them to the opposite sides of the front row. Let's not forget continually selecting an underperforming No.6 Dean Mumm, as one of the locks. Right outta left field huh? Except our scrum regularly disintergrated on the field. And when common thinking when playing the high veldt was to go up a week before to acclimatise, or, travel up the day before, Dingo had the WB's travel up sometime in the middle. Unfortunately, the WB's were over run in the last quarter. Genious? I remember that it took him a number of seasons to learn what a WB bench was for, despite losing so many games near the death. And his legacy? Instead of disciplining them, continually selecting the 'three amigos' despite there off-field antics, and setting them on thier documented courses. At the time, many wondered if it was just his international inexperience. But such was the liteny of foolishness, just as many pondered if it played a more sinister role in the NZ RWC 2011 (the year that broke the chokes). It goes a long way to the feelings of reservation some of us have about a non Aussie coach (although at the moment we'd take anything). Anyhoo, where ever you are Dingo, shine on you crazy (????) diamond.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Rhys, work reluctance is a major problem in Australian rugby. When they start winning games and not just scrums then the song will change.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
David, you could say the same for all our Super rugby franchises. We seem to be focused on getting 'Jesus Christ' who will save us all. When we eventually understand that you build a team, bringing in only those who will meld with the team and add value, we will always be looking around for better players. We also fall for talent first, when it is often hard work that brings out the best in players. Look at the players we have lost overseas who have turned out so much better than they were here under our coaches and environments? We need better teams! I think Brad Thorn is building one. Go the Reds (I'm a tah supporter).
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Yeah nah. All the support coaches have better credentials and more experience than a pig headed head coach. This is going to end in disaster... Again.
Realist
Guest
If the Reds fail to show improvement by the 2nd half of the Super Rugby season then his position will come under serious scrutiny though I think most Qld fans are backing him in regards to removing some of the players (especially the philandering, code-hopping ‘Junkie’). Where it gets confusing is why Campbell Magnay didn’t return to the Reds. Where it gets concerning is whether the rumours are true Thorn blocked moves to recruit a reportedly interested Liam Gill returning to ‘create his new culture’. When Cheika is finally punted and the opportunity to earn a Test jumper returns to Qlders, the Reds will need a quality spine of locally produced forwards in 2020. Players like Gill & McMahon I think would be great as senior figures
Double Agent
Guest
Phar Lap never really unleashed out of the gates. I'm thinking Sunline or Might and Power or better still the Queenslander Vo Rogue.
CUW
Roar Rookie
He played a few for Blues - i forget if he started . he is nothing to write home about in 2016 ( i think) - perhaps now he is a better player . also if i recall correct Blues made Piers Francis play at 10 that season - so u can imagine the quality of MM.....
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Peeko, surely you can’t disagree the dynasty was the greatest ‘sustained’ feat over multiple years of origin to date. When it started in 2006, the Storm only had Cam Smith and Inglis in the team, Cronk and Slater would come later. Need to also add other strong cultural leaders from 2006 team; Lockyer (captain), Price, Civoniceva, Scott, Myles and JT. The other great period for Queensland in a best of three series was when Beetson was coach, Lewis captain, with other strong leaders Meninga, Miles, Vautin and a no doubt a bunch of other leaders only those team members would know.
David Hancock
Guest
The good 10 is paying in Japan for Toyota. The Reds recruitment policy has been poor for decades, that is why the astute NRL and other Super Rugby franchises get first pick of Queensland rugby schoolboys.
Rugby wizard
Guest
The loss of parese is massive,but the reds have got enough talent too reach playoffs.Barnes would have been a very good addition if signed. There is 1 big worry and it is a wallaby worry as well and that is the decision making of Kerevi in defence. Was watching a under 20 game in South Africa with a few mates a while ago and everyone had no doubt that AUS rugby has got a special talent in Hockings, if there is one thing us South Africans know when we see it,it is a good lock.
gatesy
Roar Guru
..hope you are right. Just don't think they have the bottle for it for at least another year, but always happy to be proved wrong. They have good cattle, just not enough caps and that's what creates "bottle". Whatever, happy new year to all Roarers!
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah when I read the headline I thought "we'll know by June" :)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Paia’aua appears to have chosen the highway. Word is that Kerevi is also set to.
Harry
Guest
We've been here before Rhys for the last 5 seasons ... hopes up in December and January followed by a fairly horrible reality check. Don't forget we've still got plenty of time before the first SR game ... Queensland normally cop one or two season ending injuries in the trials.
Harry
Guest
Well it may be the Xmas glow but reading these comments makes me a bit more optimistic than my post above. Thugby and Andrew I forgot about McGahan, who may be a good signing at SR level. I think all three young halves are very good prospects ... more importantly, I hope the experienced coaches work on these young players games. An extra experienced prop a necessity ... any chance we can get Reds stalwart Greg Holmes back from English league leaders Exeter for the season?
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
The halves are definitely the biggest question mark for the Reds, but I reckon Jim McKay will make a big difference there, he was the one who trained Will Genia and Quade Cooper after all. Also, there is three deep competition in each position, it all bodes well for a big improvement this season.