Queensland Reds 2026

[Strewthcobber]

That was one of the strangest things I found also, but I also think they chopped and changed the locks and back-row that much it’s hard to find the common denominator..

Agree it's hard to blame one person, but it really doesn't look good.

Before LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) got injured the Reds had statistically the worst lineout in all of world rugby.

From the Brumbies match through to the end of the year, the Reds lost two lineouts total from their last 8 games

 

[Wilson]

Agree it's hard to blame one person, but it really doesn't look good.

Before LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) got injured the Reds had statistically the worst lineout in all of world rugby.

From the Brumbies match through to the end of the year, the Reds lost two lineouts total from their last 8 games

That's largely down to his first two games back though (vs Highlanders and Force), a time when there was a lot of changeover in the pack. The rest of those games the lineout success rate was above 80%:

Round	Opposition	No of Lineouts	Success Rate
6	Highlanders	14	79%
7	Force	20	55%
8	Chiefs	11	82%
9	Brumbies	13	92%
11	Blues	11	100%
12	Drua	13	85%
13	tahs	13	92%
	Overall:	95	81%

The large number of lineouts in that Force game (almost double the average) meant it really skewed the overall success rate, but it was still 81% for the period Salakaia-Loto was in, only 2% less than the season as a whole. I don't think there's any evidence in the stats to suggest he was the problem. He wasn't ever the main target though, but given Canham was going very well for most of the season and Uru has always been excellent that's not unexpected. As far as wallabies implications go the main one is probably just that he can't pair Skelton, but I'm not sure that was ever really on the cards.

Success rate also isn't everything though, and there were separate issues at the lineout in some of these games - the Chiefs one for example, we really struggled with our handover for maul setup, but iirc that was Canham/Brial to McReight, and appeared to be an issue with McReight's shoulder still being sore and a bit limited in movement coming back from the AC joint injury from a weeks prior.

 

[TSR]

A thorough post season review will highlight plenty of areas for improvement, but a couple of points worth noting.

By virtue of finals structure the Reds ended up with the Crusaders at Christchurch where they are now 30 - 0 for finals matches. They’ve never lost there to anyone and conditions certainly weren’t in the Reds favour. Reds certainly could’ve played better but just highlights what an enormous task it is to win there.

Last year the Crusaders & Tahs had comparable injury tolls. To my recollection not as many but probably as damaging in terms of key players. And they came 9th & 12th respectively. The Reds came 5th. Injuries are part of team sport but that doesn’t mean they should be discounted as a factor in the Reds results.

 

[Coleman Rees]

@Nuggetyflyhalf stop sending me DMs thanks. I’ve got nothing to discuss with you that shouldn’t be in an open rugby forum.

Well you won’t engage with him in a mature way and are just spraying him to all who will listen in the forum. To be honest I’ve had enough of both of you. I want to read and discuss the Reds not adjudicate some rubbish argument between two people who have clearly come on here to argue.

Moving on…

 

[Coleman Rees]

I’d like to see some emerging Hospital Cup talent on the bench for the Lions game and I’d like a rookie as captain.

 

[Major Tom]

I’d like to see some emerging Hospital Cup talent on the bench for the Lions game and I’d like a rookie as captain.

That’s a huge leap!

 

[Coleman Rees]

You’re right but I think it could fast track some talent.

 

[TSR]

I’m not sure that fast tracking talent from outside the squad is necessarily the solution we need unless there is some absolute rough diamond out there that is going to push past the established names in a short space.

But certainly hope guys like De Lutiis, McCulloch, Werchon, Goldsborough, Bryant, Brial & McLaughlin-Phillips are part of it as their continued development (and availability) will be pretty important for the Reds.

McCulloch & Goldsborough in particular could add some size and power to the Reds backline in time.

 

[Tomthumb]

Christ you're hung up on one game.

Throughtout the season the Reds have clearly demonstrated a plan on how they want to play. It has been the clearest we have seen since Link was here.

The lack of a game plan is apparent for a number of reasons. Who's to say if Canham or Brial didn't knock on and we go into the half 12-7 with Lynagh still on the field that the same result happens. The Reds have demonstrated they come home with a wet sail even two weeks prior against the Canes.

It feels like a theme after they were run over by the Chiefs in the QF last year too. IMO it feels like a stubbornness of Kiss to play his "style" even when the occasion, weather and opponent all scream for a more pragmatic approach

 

[Major Tom]

I’m not sure that fast tracking talent from outside the squad is necessarily the solution we need unless there is some absolute rough diamond out there that is going to push past the established names in a short space.

But certainly hope guys like De Lutiis, McCulloch, Werchon, Goldsborough, Bryant, Brial & McLaughlin-Phillips are part of it as their continued development (and availability) will be pretty important for the Reds.

McCulloch & Goldsborough in particular could add some size and power to the Reds backline in time.

Yeah, they're all young squad members. De Lutis will play if fit. Werchon, Bryant and Brial will too because they'll rest Tate, Fraser, Wilson. McCulloch could come in for Daungunu but he'll need to string a few games together at hospital cup level for the body.

 

[TSR]

I’d like to see some emerging Hospital Cup talent on the bench for the Lions game and I’d like a rookie as captain.

One question on this post - who are the LHPs floating around who might be worth a look. Not sure if Aidan Ross can be parachuted in but, without him and given the current injuries were very skinny there. Very skinny both sides in fact - especially if Nonggorr isn’t released and if we’re throwing a rookie in would prefer it was someone who at least has some form holding their own in the scrum. There does appear a genuine opportunity at LHP in the squad at the present.

 

[JRugby2]

That’s a huge leap!

Remember last time we fielded a combined NSW/QLD Country side against the lions with a few blokes who were picked from their local bush leagues (in amongst a team of mostly Super Rugby/ NRC Level talent of course)

 

[JRugby2]

That's largely down to his first two games back though (vs Highlanders and Force), a time when there was a lot of changeover in the pack. The rest of those games the lineout success rate was above 80%:

Round	Opposition	No of Lineouts	Success Rate
6	Highlanders	14	79%
7	Force	20	55%
8	Chiefs	11	82%
9	Brumbies	13	92%
11	Blues	11	100%
12	Drua	13	85%
13	tahs	13	92%
	Overall:	95	81%

The large number of lineouts in that Force game (almost double the average) meant it really skewed the overall success rate, but it was still 81% for the period Salakaia-Loto was in, only 2% less than the season as a whole. I don't think there's any evidence in the stats to suggest he was the problem. He wasn't ever the main target though, but given Canham was going very well for most of the season and Uru has always been excellent that's not unexpected. As far as wallabies implications go the main one is probably just that he can't pair Skelton, but I'm not sure that was ever really on the cards.

Success rate also isn't everything though, and there were separate issues at the lineout in some of these games - the Chiefs one for example, we really struggled with our handover for maul setup, but iirc that was Canham/Brial to McReight, and appeared to be an issue with McReight's shoulder still being sore and a bit limited in movement coming back from the AC joint injury from a weeks prior.

Loving this data but really not appreciating having to continually challenge my own assumptions and gut feelings.

 

[dru]

It feels like a theme after they were run over by the Chiefs in the QF last year too. IMO it feels like a stubbornness of Kiss to play his "style" even when the occasion, weather and opponent all scream for a more pragmatic approach

I'm completely comfortable with the Kiss "style" at the Reds. Maintained through wet weather game after wet weather game. No, not comfortable, I'm enthused.

 

[Nuggetyflyhalf]

Winning is more important than game style.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Is anyone able to put together data from last year to this year?
I.e. is our lineout better? Tackle efficiency? Discipline?

Finally found some time to do this - based off Super Rugby stats.

Usual caveat with these things - there doesn't seem to be much correlation with any of these stats and where you end up in the tournament.

 

[Braveheart81]

I'm completely comfortable with the Kiss "style" at the Reds. Maintained through wet weather game after wet weather game. No, not comfortable, I'm enthused.

Is playing the same style each and every game the best way to play particularly if it is becoming more apparent that the style being played isn't giving you a chance to beat sides that are better than you?

This has hallmarks of something Cheika was criticized for regularly. Wanting to play your own style and not be dictated to by the other team is great except when that other team is good enough to neutralize the way you play.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

View attachment 22412

Finally found some time to do this - based off Super Rugby stats.

Usual caveat with these things - there doesn't seem to be much correlation with any of these stats and where you end up in the tournament.

I feel like the Reds played in a lot of crap weather in Brisbane this season and I think a 5-10% drop in some categories can almost be written off to that. Offloads going up almost flies in the face of that but shows how that is a key part of the game plan and cohort.

 

[Major Tom]

View attachment 22412

Finally found some time to do this - based off Super Rugby stats.

Usual caveat with these things - there doesn't seem to be much correlation with any of these stats and where you end up in the tournament.

With these stats, doesn't look like the Reds have really regressed. They've pushed more offloads which is impressive given the conditions they played in. With that I wonder what the handling errors were.
There was an extra game last year too. So, all stats would've been up or close to even?

 

[Sword of Justice]

Yeah I interpret those stats to just show a game plan much more through the middle plus slightly more mature props. Part of that can definitely be attributed to rain.

To up the level of this team I think the work ons are better recycling in rucks, better maul defence, better passing off 9, better kicking (other than Lynagh and possibly Campbell if he stays). Those are all technical pieces.

Aside from that we struggle to get the ball from 12 to the wingers so need to develop the centres’ creativity a bit.