I cannot understand this 'justified over-rating' thesis pre this season.
Why?
The clear and present danger signs were there the moment the infamous QRU 'extensive global search' picked ...........'the good local QLD rugby man''.........just as they had shown was their preference in type in April 2012 in picking Graham.
Like Graham, Stiles was wholly unproven in attaining excellent results at Super level. All he had done since 2013 was improve the Reds scrum; their loose forwards play under Stiles was ordinary and uninspiring at best.
The Reds did not improve when Stiles was promoted to co-Interim HC last year.
Then the QRU poured more risk onto the burning fire of anticipatory danger, the QRU and Stiles picked a bunch of utter greenhorns as Reds Assistant Coaches.
The risk this total lack of relevant experience and track record would end in, best case, just clinging on to mediocrity, and, worse case, genuine disaster, with this entire coaching combination, went through the stratosphere.
Then they repeated their reckless love affair with 'prestige' signings at high prices - Moore, Douglas, Smith, Cooper etc - despite this approach having delivered nothing for them in the past (and btw delivering nothing now).
When has the above formula EVER delivered a top finals team in Super rugby?
This was in truth not a basis for rational optimism; it was a basis for great caution and fear of what might come of it. Even more so if one added to the mix the 'good local rugby-loving QLD-er who'd never run a sports organisation in his life' as the new QRU CEO.
The consequences - 1 win from 7 games in 2017 - trending worse than even RG's record - now unfold.