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At the beginning of every season since R Graham started coaching the Reds, people here have been telling me that (some far less politely than you have), or similar. And for the consistent Reds' mediocrity, I have heard every excuse and apologia in the book. Thus far, all my assessments have been...

lb: our expectations re the SWs (and subsequent Reds oppositions) HAVE to be kept low on rational, not irrational, grounds. Why? How can we expect a team that (a) has unquestionably been subject to many years of poor coaching and poor player and skills development programs (b) has been subject...

Let's think back to when the Reds delivered 'basic execution' team-wide on a reasonably consistent basis. 2012, maybe 2013? We are talking ~6 years ago. From that time forward even the most casual of rugby observers could see that 'basic mis-execution' has long been a Reds hallmark. That...

This.

In pro sport, 'potential' has to be rapidly realised. There is no time for long 'educate and slowly grow' indulgences. You'll go broke waiting for bankable results.

What is/was extraordinary is that the proven-as-woefully-incompetent QRU should consider this undeveloped and fragmented Reds base squad as best HC-ed by a totally unproven (at senior provincial level) person like Thorn. This was an utterly mystifying decision and strategic policy - but yet...

Re the 2019 Reds' backline/attacking prowess: is a reasonable executive summary 'no evidence as yet that J McKay has changed much in terms of skills, tactics and execution'?

USAR - I have looooooong said here that, remarkable though it is to say it, RA knows nothing substantial or of quality regarding a strategy or process for the selection, training and technical development of elite rugby coaching resources in Australia. (Many posters here keep on assuming this...

Given the laughable slack of substance in the RA announcement re the Larkham 'sacking', there can be no doubt that his removal - whatever its intrinsic objective merits - is in part a scapegoating, self-serving and diversionary ploy by Cheika who has long charmed and swarmed the RA board to his...

Yes and closely note how these Aust rugby elite bodies have been near-obsessed with getting 'prestigious' ex-senior bankers or financiers to head their boards as Chairmen. Correlations with observable outcomes anyone?

Maybe to your first 2 paras above but what about the clear need to get some sort of sustained, overt and objective performance-based culture (vs a kind of mates-driven and fellow-travellers culture) into the core institutions of Australian rugby? Larkham was a failure as HC with the Brumbies...

Re the Larkham 'sacking'... It’s laughable - by any standard more a satiric charade than serious, insightful decision-making. 4 years together and just now MC and SL work out that their attacking philosophies are ‘incompatible’ - they’re obviously very slow communicators. Larkham was the...

Not that I agree with the choice but I agree that's a very real possibility in the minds of RA and is consistent with all of the 3 points re this DoR role I noted above in #4975. SJ's direct hands on HC coaching record is hardly encouraging. Prima facie he'd be a very high risk choice as...

Ain't that the truth! And why on earth could the 'financially struggling' RA afford a (probably) $400,000 + pa new executive as DoR just to manage 'off field' Wallaby matters when there's not been the slightest bit of evidence from any source anywhere that 'Wallaby off-field tasks and...

It's also gratifying to see Chairman Clyne relaxed and comfortable with Cheika and the Wallaby set-up. There is the future to look forward to. And, most particularly, that 'processes' are being adopted and followed (from today's www.rugby.com.au):

Raelene C has brought new clarity to the respective role definitions of Wallaby HC and the new Director of Rugby. I for one find them compelling and can see how they might usher in an entirely new capability in Wallaby performances whilst reversing 2016-18's somewhat worrying performance trend...

Not quite, of course not quite. But given RA's appalling track record in almost all matters strategic and tactical re the governance of rugby in Australia over at least the last 5-7 years (some would argue much longer), we should be exceedingly cautious re assessing 'apparently positive' RA...

Where are the genuinely structural changes in the administration and control and leadership of the code in Australia? I missed these.

Yes. Let's recall: 1. RA has cried loud and clear that its financial circumstances are extremely tight; hence most particularly the 'financially essential' culling of the Force 2. Leaks to the media by RA re 'the difficulty we would have paying out coaches' contracts' and so on 3. We have...

Thanks for doing RA's pre-emptive work for them in this forum and 'correcting' me. How silly and impertinent of me to pose questions of RA that they 'have no obligation to answer.' Hell, I actually haven't sat on the RA board so I would have no ability to comment or assess such moves as they are...