Thankyou McKenzie

[Geeves]

Damn but what a turnaround this year has been. From 13th (19 points) in 2009 to 5th (39 points) in 2010 the ride has had its fair share of highs and lows but overall it has to be regarded as a huge success. I would like to thank McKenzie and his assistants for their coaching and leadership in moulding QLD rugby in 2010. McKenzie has managed to harness the attack that Mooney started and some of the polish Deans applied to (Genia and Cooper). This combination of nurturing now has arguably best halves combination in Australia taking the right decision at the right time with blistering pace and lethal precision that has carved up the opposition in a few brutal minutes (Lions, Sharks, Hurricanes, Highlanders) or taken the single opportunity in the match (Bulls and Stormers).

To this attack Link has started applying the grinder to the forwards by trying to mould a pack out of the 2009 rabble that often went MIA for long phases. To this Link has been partially successful, huge strides have been made but the young side still needs to develop and maintain the graft and commitment it showed against the Crusaders, Force, Bulls and Stormers and apply it against all sides. There have been games that have simply come unstuck when injuries to key forwards (Van Humphries, Braid and Weeks) and allowed not only the opposition to dictate the terms (Brumbies) but to allow teams to extract them out of the pounding they were suffering (Highlanders, Lions and in the worst cases loose the match (NSW, Sharks, Hurricanes, Blues).

So the 2010 season has been a huge success after years of suffering watching a series of coaches either being knifed by all and sundry (McBain), plainly gave up (Slack) and those that should not have been appointed (Miller and Jones).

Link now has a huge challenge to get the side ready for 2011 as teams will be ready for them next year. The squad depth is lacking and needs building. However, this year I’m positive the influence of Link on future selections and their attacking flair will encourage players not only to stay in QLD but to move to QLD. It’s going to be strange to see the flood of good players wanting to move from QLD to better their international chances turn into a trickle and perhaps trickle back to QLD.
Now I have got to wait like a little kiddie for X-mass to see who Deans picks to play for the Aussie A and wallabies. I’m hoping that a number of QLD players get to go into squad land to get some of that Deans polish and confidence as it can only improve their outlook for next year.

QLD certainties : Genia, Cooper, S.Finger (Moore is out), Hynes, Ioane, Horwill (when back from injury)

Players I would like to see make the squad for Aussie A for the experience and Deans polish: A.Finger, Chambers, Davis, Higginbotham, Daley, Weeks (Yep I know he is a rebel next year), Humphries .

 

[Tangawizi]

Here is copy of the overall table from the Reds website. Massive improvement is obvious. Most tries and points scored in a season not mention actually winning 2 & then 3 games in a row for the first time in who knows how long.

So many what ifs from this season but my top 3 are:

1. What if Quade had been able to tackle Palu?
2. What if Pollock had blown the penalty for Ndungane coming in from the side at fulltime againts the Sharks, and
3. What if we hadn't been shit against the Brumbies & Hurricanes.



Super Rugby Summary 1996-2009
Year P W L D Pts F Pts A Tries F Tries A League Pts
1996 12 9 3 0 345 290 38 33 41
1997 11 4 7 0 263 318 29 37 20
1998 11 6 4 1 273 229 29 22 31
1999 12 8 3 1 255 198 21 22 36
2000 11 6 5 0 317 305 31 36 30
2001 12 6 6 0 306 307 29 30 32
2002 11 7 4 0 336 287 36 29 34
2003 11 5 6 0 281 318 30 36 26
2004 11 5 6 0 217 246 28 28 25
2005 11 3 8 0 185 282 24 33 17
2006 13 4 9 0 240 320 25 36 22
2007 13 2 11 0 201 438 15 52 11
2008 13 3 9 1 258 323 32 37 18
2009 13 3 10 0 258 380 36 49 19
2010 13 8 5 0 366 308 43 38 39
Total 178 79 96 3

 

[Sagerian]

Seconded, although I get the impression that the turnaround started higher than Link. The whole organisation seems to be on a better track and it's great to see.

 

[David]

Seconded, although I get the impression that the turnaround started higher than Link. The whole organisation seems to be on a better track and it's great to see.

Completely agree, you have to look no further then the entertainment at the game. Previous years you'd rock in and there was very little atmosphere, this year you rock in and there good music, people playing beats on steel drums etc. It just makes for a very good time, I would put this down to Jim Carmichael the new Reds CEO, he has really added the type AFL mentality to the home games.

 

[RugbyReg]

Rocky and Berrick shunning us may have been the best thing to happen to us.

 

[fatprop]

Rocky and Berrick shunning us may have been the best thing to happen to us.

Agreed

 

[mark_s]

great post geeves. I think everyone has enjoyed the Reds revival this year and hopefully it turns into wallaby success. The red bulls game was my favourite S14 game this year, even more so than the tahs demolitions of the blues and canes. The growth in the reds young players has been impressive.

Not trying to pour rain on the parade here, but the draw also favoured them in 2010 (they wree the only team to play all of the top 4 teams at home) normaly I would expect that to make next year tougher but I guess we will have a whole new draw with the rebels coming in.

 

[RugbyReg]

the thing about Rocky is that he was all but coming and it would have been our biggest profile signing since Dell. He'd come from blitzing it up north and was the incumbent Wallaby skipper - it was instant credibility to us. And then he actually called the Brumbies himself and said 'ahhh, no. don't want to play for the Red'.

Chairman at the time Peter Lewis was handling the negotiations (cause we had no one else). So I'd suggest, yes, Rocky not coming did indeed play a massive role in restructuring.

 

[Lindommer]

Rocky and Berrick shunning us may have been the best thing to happen to us.

Don't know about Rocky, he wasn't on the payroll when the shit hit the fan the last few years. But Berrick, I hope there's a small twinge of thanks his resignation precipitated a changing of the guard at the QRU. It would be fanciful to say he was the cause of the rout but his action was probably the straw which broke the camel's back.

 

[Reddy!]

the thing about Rocky is that he was all but coming and it would have been our biggest profile signing since Dell. He'd come from blitzing it up north and was the incumbent Wallaby skipper - it was instant credibility to us. And then he actually called the Brumbies himself and said 'ahhh, no. don't want to play for the Red'.

Chairman at the time Peter Lewis was handling the negotiations (cause we had no one else). So I'd suggest, yes, Rocky not coming did indeed play a massive role in restructuring.

It has actually before Rocky was made Wallaby captain, however, that is irrelevant given his form he showed up north. Who would have thought with the loss of Berrick, McMM and losing Rocky from our grasp and completely revamping QLD headquarters that we would have been in a position to make the finals, coming fifth in the end. Great storey.

 

[David]

Agreed, what has impressed me greatly this year in the boys willingness to play for each other. Saturday night showed it well, players working well together and not trying to score the tries themselves, Chamber for example. I think you'd be very hard pressed to break the Genia, Quade, Ioane and Hynes combo for the test season. How often did a break come from 2 of more of these guys working together? There was a definite pattern from kick returns this year, the winger, Quade and Genia all got back, Genia hung back on the blind side in the tram tracks, Quade outside him with Hynes receiving the ball then having the options of Digby/Davies on the outside and Quade and Genia to attack the blind side. Alas I am rambling a bit, a big thank you to McKenzie.... and of course Rocky and Berrick, I never thought Barnes was a major loss, I was pissed about missing on Rocky though, but Higgers ended up having a better season then Rocky.

 

[Reddy!]

Anyone see the video montage that foxsports made to celebrate the Reds season post game? It was spine tingling stuff.

 

[Lion]

The place has been on the improve since Pope and Jones were shown the door.

Mckenzie should get Mooney back as an assistant coach and talent id. Remeber he is responsible for the Id and recruitment of most of the players in the current squad. Including Higgers, Braid, Genia, Cooper and Chambers.

Does any one know if 2 try hero Tusy Luifuto (sp) has been resigned?

 

[RugbyReg]

he hasn't been re-signed as yet.

 

[David]

Anyone see the video montage that foxsports made to celebrate the Reds season post game? It was spine tingling stuff.

Could you please link me to this montage Reddy?

 

[scrubber]

The place has been on the improve since Pope and Jones were shown the door.

Mckenzie should get Mooney back as an assistant coach and talent id. Remeber he is responsible for the Id and recruitment of most of the players in the current squad. Including Higgers, Braid, Genia, Cooper and Chambers.

Does any one know if 2 try hero Tusy Luifuto (sp) has been resigned?

Mooney as assistant - could not work - something a cuckoo in the nest

 

[Groucho]

Great post Geeves. The Reds were the best Australian team for most of the year, and at times the best team in the comp. Like many I was a big critic of Link's at the Waratahs but he has really learned at lot, it seems, in France. The next Wallabies coach for sure.

 

[Biffo]

Good year for Qland and thanks a'plenty are due. While you are at that, Qlanders, how about a very big thank you to New South Wales for supplying the coach and a high proportion of your players? Don't ever say we let you down when you needed us. Good luck in 2011.

 

[Lion]

Good year for Qland and thanks a'plenty are due. While you are at that, Qlanders, how about a very big thank you to New South Wales for supplying the coach and a high proportion of your players? Don't ever say we let you down when you needed us. Good luck in 2011.

Good wind up Biff but your facts are off the mark,

Link is a Victorian by birth I believe. Which players are you refering to?
I tell you what how about we have the QLD players back that you stole?

Ben Mowen
Barnes - you can keep
Drew Mitchell

 

[Scotty]

Biffo, you should know that NZ and the pacific islands have supplied the majority of our players, not NSW.