Reds 2018

[TSR]

I imagine that Thorn won’t be afraid to make the tough decisions with Quade, or anyone else. But didn’t McKenzie always say Quade was one of the easiest blokes he coached. Maybe Thorn is exactly what Quade needs. At the very least, if he can get the forward firing it’ll help Cooper no end. And if he is fully fit and has regained at least some of his speed you would assume he’ll be better straight away.

I thought he struggled his year, but I am hoping it is not time to pass the baton yet.

We’ll see soon enough I guess.

 

[Ruggo]

Cooper has had form consistency issues but without doubt he has an incredibly good rugby brain. Link managed him in a way where he could exercise it and had buy in to the on field vision. I suspect that Quade will get that again under Thorn but Thorn will demand a few things of him such as a more solid presence in defensive contact. Quade's technique in front on defense is shithouse quite frankly. He always aims high around the chest as if he is more interested in the ball rather than putting the player on the deck. It is ineffective to say the least. As I said above, Thorn has a focus on players technically getting the low height to maximize their power in contact. If Quade works on his faults, he and Thorn will get on fine and in the Thorn environment he will be given the scope to exercise some leadership amongst the group. Thorn won't take any shit though. The other big consideration is that with Cooper being outcast from the Wallabies, he will get a full pre-season with Thorn to develop the relationship.

 

[liquor box]

Cooper has had form consistency issues but without doubt he has an incredibly good rugby brain. Link managed him in a way where he could exercise it and had buy in to the on field vision. I suspect that Quade will get that again under Thorn but Thorn will demand a few things of him such as a more solid presence in defensive contact. Quade's technique in front on defense is shithouse quite frankly. He always aims high around the chest as if he is more interested in the ball rather than putting the player on the deck. It is ineffective to say the least. As I said above, Thorn has a focus on players technically getting the low height to maximize their power in contact. If Quade works on his faults, he and Thorn will get on fine and in the Thorn environment he will be given the scope to exercise some leadership amongst the group. Thorn won't take any shit though. The other big consideration is that with Cooper being outcast from the Wallabies, he will get a full pre-season with Thorn to develop the relationship.

QC (Quade Cooper) not going to europe gives Thorn the chance to work on defensive flaws and the game in general.

 

[eldiablo]

An extension of people talking about QC (Quade Cooper) defensive issues:
As a team, we were #3 in the competition for most amount of line-breaks allowed (129), we were also #3 in advantage line % conceded (67.3%). We had the most sin bins than any other club with 13 for the year. If you're a stats man/woman, these aren't great - horrible even.

People out there that know better than I say that defense is an attitude. These stats paired with the sinbins only prove what we all know - we needed a shake up entirely. Hopefully Big Bad Brad can rejuvenate this part of our game (and the rest), as well as help Jason Gilmour improve on last years gross defense as it seems he has been given another crack. He is listed on the Reds website, Shane Arnold is not.. (**not sure if this has been mentioned)

 

[Scrubber2050]

QC (Quade Cooper) not going to europe gives Thorn the chance to work on defensive flaws and the game in general.

Well, he's got his work cut out for him then

 

[redstragic]

All this talk has got me fired up for next year. I know we ComReds do this firing up every year but fuck it, this time it is different, bring on 2018, glad I sorted my membership.

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[RugbyReg]

All this talk has got me fired up for next year. I know we ComReds do this firing up every year but fuck it, this time it is different, bring on 2018, glad I sorted my membership.

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Don't do it. #managedexpectations

 

[TSR]

I dunno Reg - for a few years now, the foolish optimism of summer has been so much more fulfilling than the harsh disappointment if winter. Might as well be optimistic.

In seriousness though - one of the things that really had frustrated me over the last couple of seasons is the number of coachable flaws in our game. I’m talking things like our high penalty count, high yellow card count and our poor kick chase. All things which should have been coached out of the players. As frustrating as I was watching a Cooper tackle, I had as much trouble watching Nabuli take out people in the air or other dumb penalties, or watching kick returns run 20 metres before confronted with a defender.

Maybe it is misplaced, but I am optimistic that Thorn will set exacting standards which will immediately make us a 5-15 point better team. I really don’t think it should be hard and have always struggled to understand how it was allowed to persist.

 

[TOCC]

Shambeckler Vui has signed for NSW, that’s a big miss for QLD. Reds are short THP’s and Vui is a local kid from Ipswich. Disappointing.

Don’t know who the backup THP will be in 2018 then.

 

[Scrubber2050]

^^^^^^
Suppose we will have to wait for 4 or 5 rounds to see the influence of Thorn's coaching, man management and "cultural" influences impact on the Reds in 2018.

As always injuries play an incredibly important part and hopefully the senior players remain unscathed n this respect.

As always at this time of year I remain optimistic.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I dunno Reg - for a few years now, the foolish optimism of summer has been so much more fulfilling than the harsh disappointment if winter. Might as well be optimistic.

In seriousness though - one of the things that really had frustrated me over the last couple of seasons is the number of coachable flaws in our game. I’m talking things like our high penalty count, high yellow card count and our poor kick chase. All things which should have been coached out of the players. As frustrating as I was watching a Cooper tackle, I had as much trouble watching Nabuli take out people in the air or other dumb penalties, or watching kick returns run 20 metres before confronted with a defender.

Maybe it is misplaced, but I am optimistic that Thorn will set exacting standards which will immediately make us a 5-15 point better team. I really don’t think it should be hard and have always struggled to understand how it was allowed to persist.

For starters, there should be fewer lock penalties next year. That's a plus.

 

[Ruggo]

Okay to be excited this year. There is a point of difference which is refreshing. I expect the Reds to be fitter and stronger but I am very curious to see how we play. When you look at the attributes of the players in the squad, there is scope to play various styles. Reds could be absolutely bloody lethal off set piece in my view, lineout especially.

 

[Ruggo]

The interesting one for me this year will be Higgers. I think Caleb Timu will force him to six which isn't a bad thing at all. Slipper, Moore, Thor, Rodda, Tui, Higgers, Smith and Timu for mine is a good pack with a good dynamic.

 

[dru]

The interesting one for me this year will be Higgers. I think Caleb Timu will force him to six which isn't a bad thing at all. Slipper, Moore, Thor, Rodda, Tui, Higgers, Smith and Timu for mine is a good pack with a good dynamic.

And it reinforces your earlier point on the line out. Now that is an expectation I’m prepared to place on the boys.

 

[TheKing]

An extension of people talking about QC (Quade Cooper) defensive issues:
As a team, we were #3 in the competition for most amount of line-breaks allowed (129), we were also #3 in advantage line % conceded (67.3%). We had the most sin bins than any other club with 13 for the year. If you're a stats man/woman, these aren't great - horrible even.

People out there that know better than I say that defense is an attitude. These stats paired with the sinbins only prove what we all know - we needed a shake up entirely. Hopefully Big Bad Brad can rejuvenate this part of our game (and the rest), as well as help Jason Gilmour improve on last years gross defense as it seems he has been given another crack. He is listed on the Reds website, Shane Arnold is not.. (**not sure if this has been mentioned)

Where did you find these numbers? I'd love to take a look at the other teams.

 

[eldiablo]

Where did you find these numbers? I'd love to take a look at the other teams.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/stats/teams

 

[Strewthcobber]

For starters, there should be fewer lock penalties next year. That's a plus.

George Smith - most penalised player on the most penalised team in the comp and Kane Douglas, who was leading the comp until he got benched are where Thorn should really be focussing his attention.

Some of the penalties those two gave away were just unforgiveable for senior members of the team

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[eldiablo]

George Smith - most penalised player on the most penalised team in the comp and Kane Douglas, who was leading the comp until he got benched are where Thorn should really be focussing his attention.

Some of the penalties those two gave away were just unforgiveable for senior members of the team

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I agree that the senior blokes should be leading from the front in terms of the discipline. But I will say, a player who goes looking for the ball as much as G Smith (a genuine 7) is going to get penalised every now and then. He was #2 in the comp for pilfers with 10 for the season. I don't know the break down of those individual penalties, but I dare say they were all ruck related - and that area isn't exactly black and white so is left to interpretation. Surely we take the good with the bad here? Maybe I just am bias towards the dark arts of the pilfer.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I agree that the senior blokes should be leading from the front in terms of the discipline. But I will say, a player who goes looking for the ball as much as G Smith (a genuine 7) is going to get penalised every now and then. He was #2 in the comp for pilfers with 10 for the season. I don't know the break down of those individual penalties, but I dare say they were all ruck related - and that area isn't exactly black and white so is left to interpretation. Surely we take the good with the bad here? Maybe I just am bias towards the dark arts of the pilfer.

All out Rugby stats has George took 15 turnovers (4th) for 7 ruck penalties (2nd)

Michael Hooper 17 (2nd) for just 1 penalty.

They'll have to decide if it's worth it

(Having said that, my main criticism is mainly the stupid non-ruck penalties he gave away all year)

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[Scrubber2050]

I wonder how long George Smith will remain as an elite Super player.

Age catches up with all of us.

Reckon young Wright will be blooded behind George next year and will probably be the starter from then on.

Think Liam has extended for 3 years so he is not even an option, moving forward.

Does anyone know how long George is contracted at the Reds ?