Reds 2014

[Piggy]

Quade is back to playing how he did before Link at the Reds and during Deans' Wallabies. He might look like someone who plays the game instinctively, but he needs a solid game plan and a solid plan B. You'll notice Link keeps saying he's the best implementer of a plan - not the best designer...

What happened to Taps on the weekend, he'd been in really good form and spent most of the game against the crusaders looking lost and disinterested on the wing.

Owen or Anae should be starting in front of Daley with Slipper out. Hanson's line out throwing was pants, especially at the start.

The use of the subs was also interesting. Rocket should have been on far earlier for JJ - the first non-chase of the kick! Browning was stuffed (his first run-on so not surprising) so they sub Beau and bring on another 6. The bench was also sadly lacking in any power in the backs. You don't need both Frisby and Lucas on the bench they play the same positions (Frisby played great at the U-20 WC as a fullback), we need an impact centre to come on and shake things up.

 

[Piggy]

See and hear it for yourself

scroll to about 26 mins in

The body language between Captain and Coach as they come in says it all...

 

[Scrubber2050]

First Half: Game Plan followed - great
Second Half: Game Plan chucked out the window and with it the dishwater.

Cannot blame a coach for the game plan not being folled. Maybe that comes down to the captaino - isn't he the one that is supposed to ensure the game plan (pursuant to the coaches instructions) is followed ??????

Obviously if the game plan is followed and we lose then its a shit game plan. If followed and we win then he's a champion. Tough job I reckon.

 

[Tangawizi]

Reds are paying for lack of a backup specialist 7 in the squad.

It's largely been a case of No Gill, no Reds.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Reds are paying for lack of a backup specialist 7 in the squad.

It's largely been a case of No Gill, no Reds.

Goes a lot further than that oversimplified problem identification

 

[Slim 293]

Reds are paying for lack of a backup specialist 7 in the squad.

It's largely been a case of No Gill, no Reds.

Didn't they win the comp with Beau?

 

[Train Without a Station]

And 7 hasn't really been there issue anyway. Beau seems to be doing far too much running at 7 to make up for Shatz. Surely he'd be more effective left to play a little wider.

 

[Train Without a Station]

And Gill has not really played great this year anyway.

 

[tigerland12]

And Gill has not really played great this year anyway.

Don't know what you were watching? All the games Gilly has played he has been one of our best on the park.

Beau is playing well, but to say Gill hasn't been great is a poor perception.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Gilly only plays good games, better games and betterer games. I think he has been good all year (when on the paddock) but not bettererer

 

[Train Without a Station]

I'm not sure what games your watching. His linking has improved however he is not getting pilfers or forcing penalties so I'm not sure how Gilly has been that great, or really better than Beau. For anybody to say, no Gill, no Reds sounds like they aren't watching the games.

 

[No4918]

Quade is back to playing how he did before Link at the Reds and during Deans' Wallabies. He might look like someone who plays the game instinctively, but he needs a solid game plan and a solid plan B. You'll notice Link keeps saying he's the best implementer of a plan - not the best designer.

McKenzie also said that Cooper was highly involved in coming up with the game plans and one of the more astute rugby minds he has coached. To say he is not a good designer is just wrong.

 

[Train Without a Station]

It's also a fucking ludicrous comment to say we are paying for a lack of specialist back up 7 in our squad. We in fact have a Wallaby Capped Premiership winning back up 7, whilst most do not have a back up 7. The Brumbies do not, the Waratahs do not, the Force have Alcock and the Rebels have Colby Fainga'a who is used as a 6.

Further to that Gunn is in the WTS. Would love to hear about these mythical Super Rugby standard 7s that are running around and just being overlooked.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

Signing players against the head coaches wishes - don't expect much improvement next season.

The brighter way to look at that would be that RG won't be there, so they don't really care about his wishes. I suppose we can live in hope.

 

[biggsy]

McKenzie also said that Cooper was highly involved in coming up with the game plans and one of the more astute rugby minds he has coached. To say he is not a good designer is just wrong.

Liked your post,
And has got me thinking even more about RG, I think what worked well for the reds is exactly what you mentioned. Link and quade working together, with also Genia and James. It was team effort all round. I have been thinking of late that RG is the coach and that's final, his way or the highway, I would have thought james, quade and Genia would have a more input in team selection and game plan and motivation. Perfect example Foley and hodgson with force.
Don't think the team gelling at ballymore and its showing on the feild.Someone mentioned to me it looks like the reds hate each other at the moment.

RG keeps blaming the team, "we didn't do this right" "we should have done that" we we we we fucken we.
These boys know there better than what they are, and I'm blaming it all on the RG for turning the reds into a laughing stock in a matter of games. It's the only thing that has changed. All links good work undone in weeks,

Robbie deans is back to haunt me in the form RG. Fan fucken tastic

I think I'm done, just like the reds are for the season. Thanks RG 5th,1st,3rd,5th and possibly 15th awesome, love your work.

 

[Tangawizi]

Goes a lot further than that oversimplified problem identification

Yeah, it's an oversimplification but want a pick a point in time when the season really started turning sour you can't go past Gill tearing his hamstring when we were holding on at 20-16 up vs the Lions. And we definitely missed him in the tight losses vs the Force and Brumbies.

Its clearly not the only thing to go wrong this season but it stands out for me as the start of the nightmare.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Yeah, it's an oversimplification but want a pick a point in time when the season really started turning sour you can't go past Gill tearing his hamstring when we were holding on at 20-16 up vs the Lions. And we definitely missed him in the tight losses vs the Force and Brumbies.

Its clearly not the only thing to go wrong this season but it stands out for me as the start of the nightmare.

The game against the Tahs was fairly defining but shit the Tahs played well that night

 

[Tangawizi]

The game against the Tahs was fairly defining but shit the Tahs played well that night

Yeah, but I was willing to let one slide as the Tahs also flogged us in 2011 and then our season turned for the good. This year, it's gone in the complete opposite direction.

 

[Redsman]

Before I start - I am not having a go @ individuals personally, rather their lack of intuition and forethought. - which undeniably has led to an incredibly frustrating season as a Reds supporter and no doubt will continue to run its legacy of lost revenues for the QRU & ARU.
People need to be accountable for their decisions.

I haven't bothered making comment this year as it was a foregone conclusion that Richard Graham (RG) NEVER had the credibility or the experience to follow in Link's footsteps.

Anyone who thinks he could have or would have been able emulate Link's success is INCREDIBLY lacking in intuition. And sadly for RG it seems the bunnies who make the decisions @ the QRU set him up for the fall...

I think Richard seems like a decent bloke but he simply out of his depth and furthermore... WHY the heck would the Reds recruit a severely losing coach from the Force anyway...?

The logic being:
Good Coach = Happy players = Success = Crowds = Dollars

versus:

Average Coach = Unhappy players = No Success = No Crowds = Bankruptcy

RG's simply got to be replaced or there'll be no fans left this time next year... Just imagine if the Lions or Broncos were firing.? Let alone the exclusivity that Rugby marketeers in Australia like to think they can monopolise...

FACT for QRU & ARU: successful people don't like losers.......

Idiot decisions by people showing extremely poor judgement - FTR I called this when I first heard Richard Graham was appointed to the Reds role... obviously got he's got some mates in there and I don't deny the fact he seems like a decent guy.... but he severely lacks presence and he must be a primary factor for this year's reversal in fortunes...

I would have sucked it up if nearly 60points weren't put on us @ home this weekend - but no more....!

RG's replacement needs to be found and while they're at it blame should also be cast @ the decision to employ the guy by QRU executive body.

- To add to open side debate - Hodgson from Force is not that far behind Hooper and in front of Gill this year any day.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Redsman - valuable comments.

Do you have a suggestion for the position ?? and when should it happen ??