Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
I'm of the mind that it's probably time for Cordingley to move on (particularly if there's to be a change of head coach) but I'm not sure that development argument is entirely fair.that shows a one track mentality though.
He has stuck with a core group and failed to develop the wider group. The bloke to model on is Wayne Bennett he always has a bunch of "new" up and comers in the wings.
The Reds under Cordingley really embraced the NRC and it was a strategy that was just starting to pay dividends when it was cut. As the super rugby side that had their NRC teams most tightly integrated into their development pathways it's no wonder they're feeling it's loss hardest. Certainly there needs to be change in strategy with it gone, but that has started with things like the challenger series and Japan tour filling some of the gap there. It's still a far cry from the benefit of 2 centrally managed teams playing in 7-10 round competition, but that's not really something you can replace overnight, particularly not with the external upheaval and uncertainty over the last few years.
Arguments around contracting, coaching make up and on the squads ability to kick on to the next level hold more water for mine, though there are still external factors at play there. For example RUPA really appear to have abrogated their responsibility around player agents and have generally been an issue when it comes to having a clear, consistent and transparent salary cap that is rigorously enforced in recent times. This is something that thankfully appears to be changing, hopefully new super rugby management structures will see all this improve further.