Reds 2014
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SouthernX
John Thornett (49)
I tend to agree on the part about calling for someones head after 2 games is a bit tough.
However after 1 season & not getting the desired results (top 6_... I'd probably say it's time for him to go. I understand you gotta let coaches develop just like players.. But in my eyes Richard Graham has already had a season & half under his belt working with Link.
He doesn't deserve time if things go south & quickly.
I was upset of how he landed the role (Twitter buddies with Link & suddenly a rival coach is in charge of my beloved REDS WTF!!!)
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
As a dispassionate onlooker, I have to say one of the areas the Tahs completely (almost) outplayed the Reds was in the second row. Other than a towelling in the lineouts, Douglas, Potgeiter and Skelton were massively better than Simmonds and Horwill. I especially liked the way Douglas targeted Simmonds in defence. He hit him often and hard.
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
And in # 7 - Hooper on fire
I like to watch
David Codey (61)
But that's my point,depending on who you talk to,last year was either
A) OK,not great,but not bad..Good job Link
B) not good enough,cos RG is fucking hopeless.
I just don't understand why any negatives from last year get sheeted home to RG and any kudos, goes to the main coach Link.
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
We need to remember that it is calling for his head after one game....was anyone upset last week?
I think the biggest issue is complacency, is the talk of Genias attitude at training towards young players and indication that he believes he has the right to be in the 9 all the time. Maybe a bit of a shakeup is required and some of the stars need to be benched and told to earn their spot.
Nah. McKenzie was starting to get some good performances out of the Wallabies last year. With the Tahs and Rebels improving, he might have some even better options and depth at his disposal. Plenty to offer.
I seem to recall Cheika making no secret of the fact he would like to have a chance with the Wallabies one day, but he really seems to want to prove something at Super level. I'm happy with that!
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
After the Reds trials I posted on this thread concerns regarding the Reds defensive structures and asked who was doing the coaching with respect to that.
Last night was not a one off. It was there in the trials and there in the loss to the Crusaders last year which was a fairly limp effort as well.
Yes the Reds were smashed at the breakdown, and in the tackles, but the Reds secured first phase possession from most lineouts and had secure scrum ball for all the first half and the end of the second half. If you cant play with clean first phase possession then you need to look to your own structures and not to what the opposition is doing.
Cooper is a playmaker. Who was running off him to execute the plays he made. Certainly no significant forward runners, and few backs, and even then there was no support in depth. Contrast to the Tahs who string together multiple passes for most of their tries. with even more players running in support. Tight 5 forwards were some of the first to Folau the congratulate and provide the now compulsory hugs and pats on the bum after his first and second tries even though they were executed from a fair old distance.
The enduring memory for me is the sight of Hooper over the ball at the tackle and the arriving Simmons and Horwill attacking the ruck with much vigor or and no accuracy, such that they blew straight past the ruck and lay on the ground behind Hooper who was moved not one CM.
Finally I do not understand what the game plan was from the Reds, even from poor Tahs kicks to the Reds the first play was to look for territory and then once the game was gone they still kicked but bombs instead. With all of the Tahs backs bar AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) great runners and passers of the ball and willing to attack from depth with huge support why kick it to them. I was astounded, good first phase possession was on so many occasions kicked.
I was unsure of Graham, but am becoming very sure of his abilities at this level now.
The Reds must look to attack and that requires changing their structures and I would start with the centres. The lack of depth in the forwards is a concern and speaks to a lack of long term planning there.
As for the defence, I don't know what to say, I can't see it getting better, it has been deteriorating for some time.
Last night was not a one off. It was there in the trials and there in the loss to the Crusaders last year which was a fairly limp effort as well.
Yes the Reds were smashed at the breakdown, and in the tackles, but the Reds secured first phase possession from most lineouts and had secure scrum ball for all the first half and the end of the second half. If you cant play with clean first phase possession then you need to look to your own structures and not to what the opposition is doing.
Cooper is a playmaker. Who was running off him to execute the plays he made. Certainly no significant forward runners, and few backs, and even then there was no support in depth. Contrast to the Tahs who string together multiple passes for most of their tries. with even more players running in support. Tight 5 forwards were some of the first to Folau the congratulate and provide the now compulsory hugs and pats on the bum after his first and second tries even though they were executed from a fair old distance.
The enduring memory for me is the sight of Hooper over the ball at the tackle and the arriving Simmons and Horwill attacking the ruck with much vigor or and no accuracy, such that they blew straight past the ruck and lay on the ground behind Hooper who was moved not one CM.
Finally I do not understand what the game plan was from the Reds, even from poor Tahs kicks to the Reds the first play was to look for territory and then once the game was gone they still kicked but bombs instead. With all of the Tahs backs bar AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) great runners and passers of the ball and willing to attack from depth with huge support why kick it to them. I was astounded, good first phase possession was on so many occasions kicked.
I was unsure of Graham, but am becoming very sure of his abilities at this level now.
The Reds must look to attack and that requires changing their structures and I would start with the centres. The lack of depth in the forwards is a concern and speaks to a lack of long term planning there.
As for the defence, I don't know what to say, I can't see it getting better, it has been deteriorating for some time.
SouthernX
John Thornett (49)
I honestly don't know of these negatives from last year you are talking about?
I was happy with Link last year knowing he had a weaker team then in years past (No Higgers, No Diggers for part of year- suspension & injury)
I was not critical of Richard last year because the reigns hadn't changed. However i was crystal ball pessimistic when he first received the job because I never rated him & didn't like how he was parachuted into the non-vacancy.
But going back to your original point... 2 games is not fair time to make assessment of whether he is a good coach or not. But a 2nd season I would not risk if the results are disappointing on acct that he was suppose to be messiah like after Link left to steer this ship 2014 and beyond. There's still a whole lot of footy to be played this year.. It's just I don't hold out a lot of hope for RG.
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
If you are an arm chair critic you blame the coach.
If you are of the inner sanctum and accountable for your decisions, you suck it up and face the reality we got fucking belted, then you knuckle down and address the issues and move on.
Before the anti Graham tripe gets rolled out, let's re-visit this same clash in 2011. We got toweled that night in much the same fashion. Link was the coach and the one who played Horwill at 6 and Quirk at 7 that night.
The coach bashers might want to remember this before passing judgment with the benefit of hindsight and rose colored glasses.
the sabanator
Ron Walden (29)
I have thought a common theme of Reds losses over the past few seasons has been as a result of getting smashed at the breakdown and a poor defensive performance. They have the ability to be excellent in defence - last week in Canberra showed that - but an off night like last night is almost impossible to recover from. The defensive ringleaders in the Fainga'a's and Gill put in a good defensive performance each week, the rest of the team need to lift up to this standard.
The key to beating the Reds is smashing them at the breakdown, which happens quite easily when they come out not looking up for the contest. The Crusaders smashed them like this in Christchurch last year, the Waratahs did last night, the Brumbies did this time last year. When the Reds get into the game they can play with anyone, but when they're out of it they get blown away. I firmly believe this comes from their ability to compete at the breakdown and get front foot ball. Going forward the backs look great, with the forwards going backwards its just a shambles from Genia onwards.
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
He did not outplay Gill.
biggsy
Chilla Wilson (44)
The reds also went on to win the Super Rugby Comp, can't see that happening this year or even getting Close... Hope IM wrong
Im guilty for having ago at RG, and started when he played Ant finger at 12.
But I'm just a disappointed Arm Chair critic who knows last night Reds Performance is not how the boys like to play rugby.
gel
Ken Catchpole (46)
twenty seven
Tom Lawton (22)
Sadly he did, particularly when distributing the ball. Hooper demonstrated a much better understanding of the game.
Reds have headed down a path that has concerned me for a while.
One thing they did not do well last night was bend the line. Ball carrying forwards were few and far between.
Quirk had more guts then the others, sadly his name was not mentioned when he did the hard yards, that credit was given to others.
gel
Ken Catchpole (46)
For a NSW/QLD match it was very odd. I can't recall either of those two sides (in league or union) playing without conviction like the reds did last night.
Don't get me wrong, the tahs were great, but the reds just seemed to take it as if the result was inevitable, instead of fighting back (and the reds took it from about the first minute of the game).
Complete lack of conviction. Very odd.
Don't get me wrong, the tahs were great, but the reds just seemed to take it as if the result was inevitable, instead of fighting back (and the reds took it from about the first minute of the game).
Complete lack of conviction. Very odd.
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Agree with the Quirk comment. Thought he tackled and hit the ruck with so much more intensity than the others.
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
To right he did, Hooper out pointed him in so many areas.
I saw Gill tackle and that is it - Gill topped the tackle couldn't but ball in hand, ball distribution, pilfers, and leading by example he was well behind.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
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