Reds 2016

[TheKing]

Who should replace Richard Graham as head coach for the Queensland Reds?

It's simple. He is known as 'The Professor'. He is widely regarded as "one of the most astute and analytical thinkers in world rugby."

He designed a game plan that changed the way Rugby was played, the strength of which has won consecutive Rugby World Cups as well as back-to-back Super Rugby championships.

His game plans are the most dynamic and entertaining in world rugby.

He's experienced extraodinary success as a backs coach, defence coach and counter-attacking expert.

Following New Zealand's Rugby World Cup victory in 2015, he's taken a break from coaching, but is expected to return to the fold in 2017.

According to John Eales in 2015, "The best rugby coach I've ever seen at work is Wayne Smith at the All Blacks. I've never met a man with a better rugby intelligence."

December 2014: "If I ever do [coach overseas] it would need to be significant for me. It would more likely be running a campaign that's not in the top tier - that's not a threat to the All Blacks. I would struggle to coach against them if it was a genuine tier one threat."

2015: Hansen said they were delighted that Smith had accepted the offer to return to the All Blacks.
“He is one of the most astute rugby coaches in world rugby and having worked with him in the past we know just how valuable he is to any team he is involved in. ‘Smithy’ will add another dimension to what is already a strong coaching group in what will be a big year for us. We look forward to welcoming him back into the fold.

“Smithy’s role will be purely around defence, but as we do with all our coaches we will tap into his vast knowledge of other areas of the game.”

​

October 2015: Wayne Smith, the New Zealand head coach for a year from 2000 who was part of the triumvirate with Graham Henry and Steven Hansen that masterminded the 2011 World Cup success, rejoined the coaching team in the summer with responsibility for defence. He had fended off interest from England three years before.

The All Blacks have conceded four tries in six matches this tournament with Smith, who forged his reputation as an attack coach, making his mark.

“Smithy has been excellent,” said the full-back Ben Smith. “He gives us a great insight into how other teams will be looking at us and what they will be seeing. He is having a big input in the team and we have been good in defence. He has good individual skills and you can talk to him about position specific things to help your game.”

“It has been good having Smithy back in the camp and he has added to the coaching group,” Mealamu said. “He has had a big influence, smart in the way he can see things players do not pick up on, and has put some good systems in place. He has a good rapport with the players and is very good at getting his teaching points across. Defence is partly about attitude, partly about getting the right structures in place. It has been handy having someone back with such an attention to detail...”

October 2015: "[Wayne] Smith insisted recently that he was not interested in a heavyweight coaching position after the World Cup. He is due to take a sabbatical to travel around Europe next year and sources in New Zealand indicated that his position was not likely to change."

February 2016: "Wayne Smith has confirmed he has "several options" after Sky sources revealed the former New Zealand coach is in talks with Harlequins to succeed Conor O'Shea at the end of the season.

Smith, who helped coach the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cup victories, left his national side to take a sabbatical after last year's triumph and is known to be keen on a return to club rugby.

The highly-regarded coach was one of the early favourites to replace Stuart Lancaster at England before Eddie Jones' appointment.

 

[TheKing]

Seriously, the QRU need to do every single thing in their power to make this man our coach for 2017.

Hansen literally begged him to come help coach the All Blacks.

Ben Smith and Keven Mealamu, two of the greats of the modern era, took time out of their World Cup Final press conferences to sing his praises.

He's won 2/3 in Super Rugby campaigns. Do you remember how exciting the Chiefs were back then?

He rejected England because he didn't want a heavy duty coaching job, so they settled for Jones. He's taking a break in 2016 and wants to coach at a club level in 2017 so he doesn't clash with the All Blacks!

How perfect is this for the Reds to bring him in

 

[Train Without a Station]

I presume one of those opportunities you're referring to is the Kurtley Beale tackle in the game against the Waratahs. But personally I think it's unfair to say CFS "stuffed it up". It was a bloody good, very effective tackle from KB (Kurtley Beale). Sometimes this happens..a great tackle stops a try.
And it was certainly acknowledged by all his teammates and Tahs supporters.
Perhaps 9 times out of 10 on other occasions it may have been a different result.

Surely running straight into Beale increased the likelihood of him making an effective tackle.

The tackle was completed 5m in and 2.5m out from the line, with CFS laying sideways. If he pinned his ears back, even if Beale took him around the legs he likely would have got close enough to reach out and dot down.

They hit about 5m in and 5m from the try line. Would Beale have hit him with enough momentum for force him out?

 

[liquor box]

I presume one of those opportunities you're referring to is the Kurtley Beale tackle in the game against the Waratahs. But personally I think it's unfair to say CFS "stuffed it up". It was a bloody good, very effective tackle from KB (Kurtley Beale). Sometimes this happens..a great tackle stops a try.
And it was certainly acknowledged by all his teammates and Tahs supporters.
Perhaps 9 times out of 10 on other occasions it may have been a different result.

It was a great tackle, but if CFS had passed the ball prior to the tackle he would have set up a try.

 

[Red-L]

It was a great tackle, but if CFS had passed the ball prior to the tackle he would have set up a try.

....or run anywhere other then directly into the defender.

 

[dru]

I think its a good time to back off all the players. Its going to be a trying time. Lets watch closely what MOC and Stiles do. Itll need a few weeks to be much different to the Graham era I think.

 

[Jets]

Even if he dropped his shoulder as he ran into Beale it would have made a difference. He just ran into him completely upright.

 

[pjm]

A few months ago you said Stiles was a crap set piece coach

And I said I'd give him a fresh look over.

Are you saying the Reds forward play outside of set pieces is acceptable?

 

[Scoey]

Yep, you gotta respect the defence. As soon as you don't they will stop you and make you look silly.

Time for a story.....
We were just inside our 22 and had secured turnover ball. I was dropping back from the ruck to get ready for the kick chase and next thing I know the 9 picks up the ball and tosses it to me - I am one of those very rare non-kicking locks .

I knew I had to kick but there was a hole in front of me so I figured I'd run through that and then kick. I get through the gap and there is nothing but wide open space in front of me, so I pin my giraffe ears back and run. The fullback had dropped right back as had their winger. I managed to fend the winger (wasn't hard, he was a tiny guy who really wasn't at home on a Rugby pitch) and had the full back to beat. A mere formality; I was about to score a length of the field solo try. How to beat him though? My massive forward's brain sprang to life for the first time in the match and I quickly came to the conclusion that I was probably one of the biggest guys on the field and he was a back. Obviously I would run straight over the top of him if he wasn't smart enough just to step aside and applaud me as I scored.

The next thing I know, I am flat on my back and in a world of hurt. I don't remember ever being hit much harder than that. I also don't recall it, but apparently some time before I was folded in half I went to toss the ball to a support runner outside of me but missed and ended up throwing the ball into touch.

You gotta respect the defence.

 

[Ignoto]

But personally I think it's unfair to say CFS "stuffed it up". It was a bloody good, very effective tackle from KB (Kurtley Beale). Sometimes this happens..a great tackle stops a try.

Without taking anything away from KB (Kurtley Beale)'s tackle, what did CFS do to increase his chances of beating KB (Kurtley Beale)? There was no attempt at a fend, a drop of the shoulder or any fancy steps to offset KB (Kurtley Beale)'s balance and timing.

I do wonder if what we're seeing of CFS stems from his time at schoolboy level where he was so dominate due to his size advantage over the other kids. Once he started playing on a level playing field, his lack of skillset other than bulldozing over the top of people becomes apparent.

You look at the big bulldozing wingers currently of Savea and Nadolo and pay attention to their footwork. They have the sheer size and momentum advantage, but, they do whatever they can to upset the tackler getting into a dominate position to tackle them.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Without taking anything away from KB (Kurtley Beale)'s tackle, what did CFS do to increase his chances of beating KB (Kurtley Beale)? There was no attempt at a fend, a drop of the shoulder or any fancy steps to offset KB (Kurtley Beale)'s balance and timing.

I do wonder if what we're seeing of CFS stems from his time at schoolboy level where he was so dominate due to his size advantage over the other kids. Once he started playing on a level playing field, his lack of skillset other than bulldozing over the top of people becomes apparent.

You look at the big bulldozing wingers currently of Savea and Nadolo and pay attention to their footwork. They have the sheer size and momentum advantage, but, they do whatever they can to upset the tackler getting into a dominate position to tackle them.

I think you gave hit the nail squarely on the head.

CFS was an awesome schoolboy. He was identified as such and fast tracked up the ladder.

He has had some great runs blah blah but certainly has not continued to improve into an awesome Super player. He has the ability but I now start to question that he is deficient in those other "things" (including the mental "steel") that make players great.

 

[I like to watch]

To be fair to CFS,he probably saw KB (Kurtley Beale) coming across & thought he had the momentum to absorb the impact and score.
Seriously,who here thought KB (Kurtley Beale) would hit him the way he did?
Kudos to KB (Kurtley Beale).

 

[Pieman]

O.K., so clearly my views on CFS are not shared by everyone on this thread. That's fine, however I still think he has a lot to offer.
It would have been interesting to see how he developed over the last couple of years with Ewen McKenzie in charge of the Reds.

 

[Pieman]

Anyway, maybe it's time we concentrated on looking forward to a Reds renaissance. Team announced St.George Queensland Reds team to play Rebels in Melbourne

 

[TheKing]

CFS was an awesome talent at school, but it was a combination package of size and speed.

He had massive issues with his hamstrings at a professional level - don't forget how many seasons of development he missed.

The hamstring would certainly have affected his top line speed, as well as possibly his footwork in to contact.

We saw him at his best in Premier Rugby finals, then he flashed his form at NRC before getting injured again. I'd be starting Kuridrani over him at this point.

Absolutely love that Sef Fa'agase and Ready are starting, but slightly disappointed they couldn't find a starting spot for Browning. It's apparent he's busting his arse out there, but Schatz' lineout work must be valuable enough to the coaches.

 

[Waterboyrugby]

I'm a fan of CFS. It's hard to believe he's only 22... Watching the difference in his effort (not competition) between his club and super rugby performances, I believe that it takes a special coach to get the best out of him, and that at Souths, the team culture / environment allowed him to flourish and the effort was there.

What is the biggest concern I have seen this season, is his tendency to drift inwards in defence and get caught napping with a cutout pass. This happened live in front of me numerous times in the Brumbies trial when Joe Tomane ran rampent down his flank. Again in round 1, the Waratahs exposed this with Guilford. I can't remember if it happened in the Force game.

I get the impression that he doesn't want (or care) to be out there. Whether that is a by product of the current environment, I have no idea. If someone can light the fire within CFS then the undoubted talent and ability will begin to show.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Yep CFS under Link may be an interesting point of debate. But time has moved on.

Some lads (big and skilled as youngsters) are "identified" Often some kids are bigger and stronger than others at an early age and they get the early leg-up. Some of these lads seem to think they have made it by making the top squad and eventually never fulfill the promise(they showed as youngsters)

Other kids toil away and get there in the end by sheer hard work and the will to keep having a crack

Talent identification (as ut stands today) is very easy. Pick the biggest fastest and dominating kid.

The real trick is looking behind that a wee bit and trying to assess the mental toughness, dedication,the ability to physically grow (thru training and weights), the team mentality of the lad (whether he is a team player or an individual), the cultural aspects (will he "BLEED" for Queensland)

Easy to say it here but very hard in practice

 

[Swandive]

as opposed to not being able to turn dross into silk

You may have hit the nail on the head there Groucho.
This may be the main problem.

 

[dru]

Anyway, maybe it's time we concentrated on looking forward to a Reds renaissance. Team announced St.George Queensland Reds team to play Rebels in Melbourne

Well thats interesting. Certainly more change than I suspect is strictly due to injury.

Ant is back with Hunt's best position stated as FB. God I like an affirmation. But also action in the centers.

Respect given to the depth of our set piece, and "seconds" players brought in who are thought to offer more ball handling and over the ball ability.

Is it just me, but the conversation already feels more open and honest.

Anyone know who "the selection committee" is? Need to know more about Mafi and Waita Setu.

OK, so far so good.

 

[girtbysea]

Yep CFS under Link may be an interesting point of debate. But time has moved on.

Some lads (big and skilled as youngsters) are "identified" Often some kids are bigger and stronger than others at an early age and they get the early leg-up. Some of these lads seem to think they have made it by making the top squad and eventually never fulfill the promise(they showed as youngsters)

Other kids toil away and get there in the end by sheer hard work and the will to keep having a crack

Talent identification (as ut stands today) is very easy. Pick the biggest fastest and dominating kid.

The real trick is looking behind that a wee bit and trying to assess the mental toughness, dedication,the ability to physically grow (thru training and weights), the team mentality of the lad (whether he is a team player or an individual), the cultural aspects (will he "BLEED" for Queensland)

Easy to say it here but very hard in practice

Waterboy, Like you I reckon CFS can play. But am I right in saying most of his development rugby has been in the centres ? We tend to do it a lot in Qld (and Oz too compared to NZ who keep their specialised wingers right where they want them) if we have a talented centre and selctions are a bit tight we tend to move them onto the wing and say away you go son. (eg; Magnay and Perese) The skill sets are very different, the instinctual defending and attacking lines are different, contact and ball security and presentation are different. The required evasion skills (and speed) are different. There is even a significant difference between the right and left wings. For those of you in the engine room think the difference between THP and LHP. I am not saying these skills cannot be taught or learnt but they take time and are not automatically transferable.