Reds 2019

[Bobby Sands]

I love the Reds & think losing Jordy was a genuine Greek tragedy.

He is our most important player because of his rare (it shouldn’t be) ability with ball in hand & ball play which creates space for those inside and outside him. He essentially is another player maker because of the indecision he creates in the opposition.

Without him our attack is pedestrian & Samu, as good as he is, is a big part of that problem as so often the ball dies with him (even if he does make the gain line).

I would really like to see us get Noah Lolesio back from the Brumbies and reunite that Oz schools center partnership of he & Jordy.

Can’t wait for next week.

BS

 

[Scoey]

The Reds didn't cope with a very effective Tahs defense who were sending shooters hard at the attack. Often missing, but really screwing up their timing

The non-existent offside line didn't help either. Both teams metres offside consistently throughout the night. The Tahs adjusted to this and we didn't. Steadfastly sticking to what we said we'd do even though it clearly wasn't working. So that, and basic execution was the problem.

 

[RedsHappy]

The non-existent offside line didn't help either. Both teams metres offside consistently throughout the night. The Tahs adjusted to this and we didn't. Steadfastly sticking to what we said we'd do even though it clearly wasn't working. So that, and basic execution was the problem.

Let's think back to when the Reds delivered 'basic execution' team-wide on a reasonably consistent basis.

2012, maybe 2013?

We are talking ~6 years ago. From that time forward even the most casual of rugby observers could see that 'basic mis-execution' has long been a Reds hallmark.

That such has not been addressed over that period by enhanced player skill development programs and adequate to good team coaching is beyond reprehensible.

 

[liquor box]

On sports bet the Sunwolves are a 3.5 point favorite to win. Sunwolves are paying 1.72 and Reds 2.13 for the win.

Sorry to those opposed to sports betting to quote odd and points starts but surely this is a concern.

NRL starts this week and the Broncos are equal second favorite to make the finals, how do we expect to sell tickets in this situation?

I think what we miss most since the Link era is his ability to have a different game plan based on who the opponent is and who is available to play. I sometimes wonder if we actually have a plan.

 

[dru]

I sometimes wonder if we actually have a plan.

This. It's the question we should all be asking. I think we do. I don't think it's sophisticated. But for now it suits Thorn.

I suspect it will get increasingly uncomfortable.

 

[emuarse]

What is/was extraordinary is that the proven-as-woefully-incompetent QRU should consider this undeveloped and fragmented Reds base squad as best HC-ed by a totally unproven (at senior provincial level) person like Thorn. This was an utterly mystifying decision and strategic policy - but yet again the QRU is expert at doing precisely the opposite of what is best required in any particular set of circumstances.

Then on top of that super high-risk call - vs recruiting a proven, top-flight pro coach from overseas - they needlessly compounded the error by indulging Thorn's recklessly puritanical streak in jettisoning QC (Quade Cooper), Slipper, Hunt etc when what the QRU's credibility and finances desperately needed was not personal off-beam HC ideologies and pretty PC values statements but Reds' Super wins and lots of them.

Nonetheless we were fed the 'Brad will bring the better culture, culture's been the Reds biggest problem' line - and numerous posters here and our pathetically lazy ruby media bought all that superficial nonsense hook, line and sinker.

The Reds core problems were not 'cultural', they were exclusively about continuously poor elite coaching (all aspects), idiotic recruitment policies and poor player and skills development (of course these all go together). Culture may have deteriorated _because_ of these deep problems - endless losses with no respite will drive any team to 'cultural' decline - but such was if true a symptom and not a cause.

I said at the time of Thorn's appointment this could all prove yet again another of the QRU scandalous and almost never-ending sequence of coaching blunders and so it is proving as we open the 'promising' 2019 season with 3 straight losses and only 1 of those where the Reds played well. Horrendously, the Reds' current multi-year loss record vs the Waratahs is now at humiliating proportions.

And FFS: how on earth does Thorn think a Super title - or even making the finals - can be attained with a 10 like Stewart or even a worn utility player like Hegarty. Super titles are _never_ won by teams with weak 10s, the evidence is overwhelming. Worse, poor Stewart is now being replaced by Hegarty who's been with the Reds for 10 minutes - this is just farcical.

The 2019 Reds team is performing little better than, say, some of R Graham's better games (there weren't many) when the Reds still lost but had at least a sniff of coherence about them (which promptly vaporised next game).

There is very little evidence that, in his crucial second year, Thorn has even mastered the basics of sound elite rugby game planning let alone anything finer on top. And what is doubly alarming is the paucity of evidence that any of the new Reds ACs are adding demonstrable value to the team; why this is so is at present a disturbing mystery.

Comments are a bit harsh, considering the Reds have played only one home game this season, and that against the best side in the competition, after starting out of the gate after a first round bye

 

[RedsHappy]

On sports bet the Sunwolves are a 3.5 point favorite to win. Sunwolves are paying 1.72 and Reds 2.13 for the win.

Sorry to those opposed to sports betting to quote odd and points starts but surely this is a concern.

NRL starts this week and the Broncos are equal second favorite to make the finals, how do we expect to sell tickets in this situation?

I think what we miss most since the Link era is his ability to have a different game plan based on who the opponent is and who is available to play. I sometimes wonder if we actually have a plan.

lb: our expectations re the SWs (and subsequent Reds oppositions) HAVE to be kept low on rational, not irrational, grounds.

Why? How can we expect a team that (a) has unquestionably been subject to many years of poor coaching and poor player and skills development programs (b) has been subject to years and years of spirit-depleting losses (c) is coached by a near-rookie HC who's shown no particular breakthrough-type abilities thus far at Super level and (d) has few genuinely distinguished or especially talented players ............to attain, let alone sustain, a high Super win-loss % ratio?

It's not going to happen if you look at the fundamentals. The QRU has baked this very cake, now they have - yet again - to live with the consequences of its sour taste.

 

[RedsHappy]

Comments are a bit harsh, considering the Reds have played only one home game this season, and that against the best side in the competition, after starting out of the gate after a first round bye

At the beginning of every season since R Graham started coaching the Reds, people here have been telling me that (some far less politely than you have), or similar. And for the consistent Reds' mediocrity, I have heard every excuse and apologia in the book. Thus far, all my assessments have been proven correct with both foresight and hindsight. (As you argue, this time they may not and I'm fine with that.)

I say the above with the deepest sense of regret as:

- I love the code with a passion (hence have been posting here for 9 years)

- I was a highly committed Reds fan for a number of years and celebrated and recognised and invested personal $s in their many achievements when they were well coached.

- unless corrected very, very soon the sustained deterioration in the team and results quality and financial viability of the Tahs and the Reds poses a serious existential threat to the future of rugby in this country.

 

[Jets]

I think RedsHappy is spot on. Round 4 just past and we are bottom of the table, where we deserve to be.

 

[emuarse]

The game against the Waratahs was disappointing, and we should have/could have done better.
BUT, the fixtures schedule for the Reds this year could not have been more damaging or demanding, compared to the other sides.
I mean, a bye in the very first round followed by an away game at the Highlanders, who had the opportunity of gelling as a team in their previous game against the Chiefs. Even then, we nearly won which would have been against the odds, given the facts stated.
Then, our one home ground advantage game out of the four first games, against a red hot Crusaders side, losing by less than other Super 15 teams.
So to all the doomsayers, complainers, wingers, etc. take time out.
Lets see what the season, which is still in its infancy, brings before going off apeshit.
And yeah, but (prior year performances), but (the coaching) , but (player commitment), but (player positional selections)...yakety yak.
just park it for now.

 

[Scoey]

That's pretty much where I'm at too Emu. I'm pretty disappointed with our start but the hope that I had that we'd win one (possibly 2) of our first three was pretty optimistic. That's how I start every Reds season though - full of hope and optimism. Where we are currently, I'm close to zero in my hope budget but it's a long season and I'm still keen to see how it pans out.

 

[liquor box]

The game against the Waratahs was disappointing, and we should have/could have done better.
BUT, the fixtures schedule for the Reds this year could not have been more damaging or demanding, compared to the other sides.
I mean, a bye in the very first round followed by an away game at the Highlanders, who had the opportunity of gelling as a team in their previous game against the Chiefs. Even then, we nearly won which would have been against the odds, given the facts stated.
Then, our one home ground advantage game out of the four first games, against a red hot Crusaders side, losing by less than other Super 15 teams.
So to all the doomsayers, complainers, wingers, etc. take time out.
Lets see what the season, which is still in its infancy, brings before going off apeshit.
And yeah, but (prior year performances), but (the coaching) , but (player commitment), but (player positional selections).yakety yak.
just park it for now.

There have been positives and us fans will always find something positive but there comes a point where we have to be realistic. We did better than expected against the Crusaders and Highlanders, but they are still losses.

If we lost every single game by one point would it be a positive year or a negative year?

It is getting hard to see us winning more than 3 or 4 games this season, and that may be a bit of a stretch.

 

[Jets]

Petaia was a positive, Lucas is a positive, Samu's a positive, Sorovi was positive in the first game, Rodda was a beast in the first game.

The Crusaders had there worst performance of the year against us as they rested a bunch of players and took there foot off the pedal when they were comfortable. I don't think that's a sign of success. In 2017 we beat the Highlander, lost to the Force and should have beaten the Crusaders (still think it was a dodgy penalty), the powers that be chose to get rid of the coach after his first season in charge. We are in a dark place and I'm not sure an inexperienced coach is the answer.

I thought we picked a team last weekend to run over the top of the Tah's but we tried to attack them through the backs, there strength. It didn't make an sense to me.

I want the Reds to do well, we have some great young talent, I just can't see it happening (come on boys, prove me wrong).

 

[gel]

I want the reds to succeed. I really do.

But I just can't see it happening when the fundamentals of a winning side just aren't there.

A season of close losses won't happen either because we'll before the season is over they will completely drop their bundle and just lose horribly for whatever the balance of the season remains. That's just human nature.

If they are gonna change their fortunes, this week is when it needs to show.

 

[gel]

The damage the reds performances are doing for the sport in Queensland cannot be underestimated.

Cloistered in what eve r rugby centric circles peeps may travel in potentially shields them from the reality of the situation.........

I can tell you that the circles I travel in rugby union is detested and the red are a source of ridicule.

 

[RoffsChoice]

If we lost every single game by one point would it be a positive year or a negative year?

I can tell you that the circles I travel in rugby union is detested and the red are a source of ridicule.

Dad's a diehard Reds fan. Loves them more than any team in any sport he's ever followed, even loves them more than the Wallabies. But over the last two years it's reached the point where he'll just turn off the TV and walk away if any small thing goes against the Reds.

It could be conceding an early try, or losing a scrum on their own feed, or giving away a yellow card, whatever, but he just turns it off after ten minutes and says he doesn't want to watch them lose. My hopes of getting him to watch the full 80 minutes aren't helped by how often he can just turn around after the fact and say "look, I was right, they did lose, and I'm glad I didn't see it."

This isn't a guy who spits the dummy just because his team is struggling. He's supported the Reds in whatever form since the South Pacific Championship. He travels interstate just to see them play in Brisbane. He shows up to Brumbies games in his full Reds kit and asks which teams have won a title this decade. It's just drained his spirit to endure all the little problems with Queensland Rugby for as long as he has. He talks about them as if they were a child he could never not love, but that he hates his love for them.

So, if you lost every game by one point, I'd say it would be an unmitigated disaster. The bandwagon fans will come and go as they do in every city. The stalwarts who have been with the team since it began are getting sick of it and, while they aren't supporting other teams, they refuse to watch the Reds play anymore.

 

[RedsHappy]

The damage the reds performances are doing for the sport in Queensland cannot be underestimated.

Cloistered in what eve r rugby centric circles peeps may travel in potentially shields them from the reality of the situation...

I can tell you that the circles I travel in rugby union is detested and the red are a source of ridicule.

It’s terribly sad. But it’s terribly true.

How many really motivated, caring posters are in 2019 left here and still bother commenting to show they do?

And the QRU’s reported home crowd figures are notoriously a subject of mirth in almost all circles, including Suncorp’s own. Take at least 25-30% off for a true figure approximating paying patrons that truly want to be there in a pay-up sense.

 

[RugbyReg]

Horrifying financials for the QRU

https://amp.couriermail.com.au/spor...ad91395ef3c5849e452?__twitter_impression=true

The cash-strapped Queensland Rugby Union will report a $1.09 million loss primarily because property group Majella has failed to pay a seven-figure jersey sponsorship.

The black eye on the balance sheet for the QRU’s annual general meeting on March 30 is due mainly to a $1.3 million shortfall from Majella as a bad and doubtful debt.

The contract money still being paid to Quade Cooper, James Slipper and Karmichael Hunt while they play for other Super Rugby clubs can also be revealed.

The QRU was so intent on shifting the trio from Queensland Reds’ deals active for 2019 they were prepared to pay for it.

It has cost the Reds $366,000 to watch Cooper reignite his career for the 3-0 Melbourne Rebels, Hunt play solidly for the NSW Waratahs and Slipper do the same for the Brumbies.

That figure listed as onerous (future) player payments would particularly grate with a number of QRU members who yesterday received advice on the QRU’s financial position.

 

[kiap]

Monsour's Majella Group was known to be in trouble for a long time. It's not a surprise.

Paying an average of 122k for each of the exiled players is lower than I thought, though.

 

[Jets]

The QRU’s new three-year plan has four key pillars.

Becoming leaders in coaching, turning Ballymore into a world-class precinct, growth in playing numbers, including the reinvigoration of schools rugby, and winning Super Rugby by 2021 are a mix of the achievable and the dreamy.​

All but the last seem possible.

Some funding for Ballymore would be great. Unfortunately it's not a brand any politician want to be associated with.