Reds 2018

[TOCC]

I know comparisons have been made between Thorn’s success coaching Qld Country and Stiles previous success coaching Brisbane City. But I feel like Thorn has done it with a more limited roster.

Off the top of my head from the GF team only Tuttle, DP & Nabuli are the regular super rugby starters while Mafi & Tupou are probably next level down & Timu is a super rugby starter in waiting IMO. Not sure how CFS should be classified - plenty of super rugby experience, but limited success to this point.

Most of the rest are up and comers or good club players. But Thorn has bought technique & application. They’ve played some really good, up tempo rugby. Some of the support play was very good to watch.

I think it’s also probably a much higher standard comp then even last year.

Someone did the comparison of age and Super Rugby caps, and more or less the QLD Country lineup this year were pretty similar to the Brisbane City lineup from 2014.

 

[TOCC]

Thorn has pretty bit wraps on Paul Carozza.. he could be the other assistant coach they’re looking for.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Paul Carozza, Queensland Rugby doesn’t realise what it has in this guy. He is a champion and a great coach, and I’ve played under a few” said Thorn.

 

[TSR]

Someone did the comparison of age and Super Rugby caps, and more or less the QLD Country lineup this year were pretty similar to the Brisbane City lineup from 2014.

Damn you and you’re stupid facts.

 

[amirite]

Brad Thorn deserves a lot of praise for this year and optimism for next. The Stiles parallels are obvious, but that doesn't mean Thorn won't cut it. It does mean there's no guarantees though, so here's hoping he does well.

STILL, did anyone thing his post-game humility was a bit weird? That and the fact that he was wearing an unbranded jacket instead of team gear. Like, it's possible to say a few words as coach without overshadowing the boys, and I just don't think it's acceptable for a paid professional to wear some random jacket to a granny.

None of this is the end of the word, but like I said just a bit weird.

 

[TOCC]

Theres quite a bit of similarity between 2014 and 2017.

Comparing the two Grand Final XV's;
Brisbane City in 2014 had 7 capped players, totalling 291 caps.
Queensland Country in 2017 had 8 capped players totalling 349 caps.

Both teams had 19yr old fly-halves, front row age of Brisbane was around 21 in 2014, its also 21 in 2017. In 2014 Frisby was one of the 'experienced' players at halfback with 26 caps, in 2017 Tuttle filled that role with 18 caps.

I think the average age of 2014 Brisbane City may be marginally more then 2017 Queensland Country, but not much else separating them besides that.

 

[TOCC]

STILL, did anyone thing his post-game humility was a bit weird? That and the fact that he was wearing an unbranded jacket instead of team gear. Like, it's possible to say a few words as coach without overshadowing the boys, and I just don't think it's acceptable for a paid professional to wear some random jacket to a granny.

None of this is the end of the word, but like I said just a bit weird.

No? I don’t really find this weird:

“Just incredible, it’s just incredible.

“I’m a bit lost for words.

“We were down two converted tries. I’ve got that many 19-year-olds, 20-year-olds in there. I spoke to them before the game, and I just said, ‘it’s not going to be perfect’. And the boys just went to work.

“Far out, how proud of them are you, as a coach. It’s just outstanding.”



His rugby.com.au post game interview he was wearing what he was wearing during the game:

 

[TSR]

I don’t disagree with your point Amirite. Sponsors make the whole thing go around after all.

But if we win the Super rugby GF (or even make it) he can turn up in a dress for all I care.

 

[amirite]

No? I don’t really find this weird:

“Just incredible, it’s just incredible.

“I’m a bit lost for words.

“We were down two converted tries. I’ve got that many 19-year-olds, 20-year-olds in there. I spoke to them before the game, and I just said, ‘it’s not going to be perfect’. And the boys just went to work.

“Far out, how proud of them are you, as a coach. It’s just outstanding.”



His rugby.com.au post game interview he was wearing what he was wearing during the game:

Mate, I'm not inventing things. Rewatch the game for the apparel and look what happened when he was called to the stage post game.

He did do some media stuff but not others, so like I said a bit weird. I think to call it a talking point isn't outrageous.

 

[amirite]

I don’t disagree with your point Amirite. Sponsors make the whole thing go around after all.

But if we win the Super rugby GF (or even make it) he can turn up in a dress for all I care.

This I agree with.

 

[TOCC]

Mate, I'm not inventing things. Rewatch the game for the apparel and look what happened when he was called to the stage post game.

He did do some media stuff but not others, so like I said a bit weird. I think to call it a talking point isn't outrageous.

Mate didn't say you were inventing things nor that it wasn't a talking point.. Just didn't see what you saw, replay doesn't show the on-stage stuff post match, and the only post game interview i've seen is the one below, was just pointing out that he wasn't wearing it during the game and must have put it on after the initial post-match stuff

 

[dru]

Mate, I'm not inventing things. Rewatch the game for the apparel and look what happened when he was called to the stage post game.

He did do some media stuff but not others, so like I said a bit weird. I think to call it a talking point isn't outrageous.

Noone will be talking about it in 6 months bro.

 

[RugbyReg]

Someone did the comparison of age and Super Rugby caps, and more or less the QLD Country lineup this year were pretty similar to the Brisbane City lineup from 2014.

Here it is. But done from the respective first games of the season.

 

[TSR]

I’ve got to say I think this is a case of stats not telling to full story.

Maybe I am guilty of being over confident with the Country team but, if anything the country team is a fair bit superior IMO.

Which hopefully means good things in the future, but pretty much works completely against my original statement.

 

[TOCC]

I’ve sort of been against using the NRC as a justification for a Thorn because I think Stiles displayed similar credentials in his first season in charge of Brisbane City.

But building on what you’re saying TSR and in trying to find some positives in the coaching merry-go-round, I think QCountry 2017 played with more composure and a better game plan then the 2014 version of Brisbane City. Specifically some of the big games in Fiji against the Drua and coming form behind in the Grand Final.







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[TSR]

Yeah - even as I write my posts I know that it is far to early to make predictions on next year.

If I look back to this time last year I was very similarly optimistic about the season to come.

Coaching will be the absolute key and for me whether Thorn will thrive or not is a hunch, rather than a certainty.

But I am reminded of a saying (from Ian Chappel I think) - show me a great cricket coach and I’ll show you a team with two great opening bowlers.

At the end of the day you can’t coach without the cattle. Personally I think the evidence is there that the skills gap between Australia and New Zealand is closing. Mind you, it was a bloody big gap, but it’s closing. I also think the fitness levels of our elite players have improved.

Champion players often don’t translate to champion coaches - but that’s often because they can’t coach their ability to read play or their inate competitiveness.

It seems to me Thorn coaches attitude, attention to detail, drive & determination. He is not & S&C coach persay but his own attention to his physical preparation was known to be meticulous.

At the end of the day I do prefer to look at the positives - but I don’t think that necessarily means that I am off the mark. We’ll start the year with a talented squad and a coach who is a proven winner.

I’ve been optimistic with less.

 

[Ash]

That 2014 City team also got back Gill, Browning, Fa'agase as the season went on, although lost Kerevi at the end. Didn't Cooper also play a few games in the middle as well?

The tag team of Gill and Kerevi was unstoppable though, those guys in 2014 and 2015 (especially with Hunt in 2015 as well) were just team killers in themselves. I don't think Country had a dominant player like either of them, although Paia'aua comes the closest. Overall, I'd say it was a better team performance from Country.

The 2014 NRC was a funny beast though. The Rising dominated all season, then inexplicably lost the semi.

 

[amirite]

Noone will be talking about it in 6 months bro.

You know what's funny? I can't actually find the point where I wrote they would be.

 

[amirite]

Mate didn't say you were inventing things nor that it wasn't a talking point.. Just didn't see what you saw, replay doesn't show the on-stage stuff post match, and the only post game interview i've seen is the one below, was just pointing out that he wasn't wearing it during the game and must have put it on after the initial post-match stuff

I can guarantee he was wearing it during a game. Watch the replay.

It's obviously a talking point if you decided to talk to me about it.

Frankly, what's with the beef?

 

[TOCC]

There’s no beef mate, I wasn’t paying attention to what Brad was wearing when I watched the replay so I’ll take your word for it.

 

[TOCC]

Anyway, team for next year factoring NRC form:

15. Hunt
14. Daugunu
13. Kerevi
12. Paia’aua
11. Perese
10. Cooper
9. Tuttle
8. Timu
7. Smith
6. Higgers
5. Tui
4. Rodda
3. Tupou
2. Moore
1. Slipper

16. Fa’agase
17. Mafi
18. ?
19. Douglas
20. Wright
21. Frisby
22. Stewart
23. Nabuli




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