Thankyou McKenzie

[Biffo]

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

Gold, Scotty, Gold. I am just having a little fun with you blokes. It's Mad Monday, isn't it?

I didn't write that NSW supplied a majority of the "Reds".

I was unaware the a majority of the Reds are from UnZid and other Pacific Islands. Add on the interstaters and how many real Qlanders are in the squad? :fishing

 

[TOCC]

No one cares biffo, qld has the 2nd largest kiwi population outside new zealand, it's only natural that it's reflected in the rugby side

 

[liquor box]

I thank the QLD police for arresting Cooper and also his hair dresser, this was the turning point for the Reds! Imagine how S Fainga'a would go with a proper hair cut!


I think that the best thing to happen this year was picking players on their energy levels and commitment at training, there were a number of untried starters that certainly stood up to be counted. Mooney was responsible for the recruitment of many of these players, but he was not the one that gave them a chance and showed some faith so I give the credit to Link.

What a season, looking towards next season, if you knew that every home game would be the same quality as this seasons home games then the Reds finances would be greatly improved, I would pay a lot more than face value to see this years games.

Thanks Link, I am becoming posessive and hope you never get the wallaby job (not really!) as I want you to be a long term coach

 

[Ash]

I was unaware the a majority of the Reds are from UnZid and other Pacific Islands. Add on the interstaters and how many real Qlanders are in the squad? :fishing

2.47

But they are the ones. Someone needs to carry the bags.

 

[Lee Grant]

Geeves

A great post mate - enjoyed it.

I will always be a Tahs fan and go to their games but there was a point this year when after several years of attending games, including those coached by Link, I asked myself why I bothered. Even if they won, most of the games were dreary and fellows like Tuqiri and Turner weren't getting the ball.

This year I was looking forward more to watching the Reds play on TV than the Tahs on TV when they were away. The Reds played with a joy that lifted their fans but it also lifted rugby heads like myself.

I think that it may have given a bit of joy to the IRB alickadoos also. Defence had evolved so well, including the ability to slow he ball that teams were too scared to hold the ball. The ball was hoisted a lot and the ping pong virus infected the game. The IRB imprimatur that refs should enforce the breakdown laws as they were written seemed good in theory but dodgy because referees had bad habits, but they worked a treat.

The Queensland Reds in the Super14 and to a lesser extent, the Northampton Saints and Bath in the GP ***, have shown that enforcing the laws at the breakdown resulted in better quality ball and the expansive benefits that go with that. It helped having expansive players such as Genia and Cooper at the Reds and Foden and Ashton at the Saints and those teams blossomed under the new paradigm.

Queensland won more matches that were winnable than in previous years but all their lost games except in Canberra, were winnable, and they damn near got rolled by the Clan last weekend. That comes from having more inexperienced players than the average Super14 team but if there is one thing that Link will be thinking of for next year it is finishing games off.

I have digressed - thank you McKenzie for letting your young lads express themselves and lifting the hearts of Australian rugby tragics.


[ *** The European refs did not observe the law crackdown uniformly or constantly. Had Northamptom played in the Super14 under SH refs they would have made their mark.]

 

[Doc]

RE: the 'what ifs'. I was quite annoyed after the tahs game watching quades new kicking style. HAving seen him kick at club level for years and bury sides with 8/8 days.

What if we had a goal kicker?

 

[TOCC]

what if we had a goal kicker who could kick a goal 8m in from the sideline to put the Reds ahead 38-36 with 2 minutes to go???

oh wait, we do

Quade obviously isnt the best kicker getting around, but i dont think that in the games lost by the Reds that the loss can be blamed on the kicker.

 

[scrubber]

Thanks Ewen for a great season and being instrumental in resurgance of QLD pride in rugby - am sure there are plenty of others involved in the "team" but hey the buck alwways seems to stop with the coach

 

[Rugby Rat]

yep. Good season. Thanks.

 

[Geeves]

Firstly yes, the board needs credit as well. Their lack of comments about the team may have had a lot to do with the next to no media coverage in QLD. Secondly as the board was sacking itself over a deficit budget they may have wanted as little spot light on themselves as well. However, the initial decision to replace Mooney at the end of last year and from outside appearances to let McKenzie run his own ship has proven to be sound. The board infighting, board coaching via the media and media harpooning of the side and coach is something that NSW coaches must hate and McKenzie must be enjoying the contrast.

I don’t see a lot of point in dwelling on what if scenarios all they give you is heart burn. Could have, should have but didn’t and congrats to the team that won. However, I do allow myself to complain bitterly about the ref but really there was not a hell of a lot you could complain about in the Reds games this year from the refs. Yes some applied a different approach to the breakdown than others but as long as the ref is consistent then it’s up to the team to adjust their style and switch into plan ‘B’ or ‘C’.

The switching of plans was used by McKenzie and implemented beautifully by the team not only from game to game but at half time as well. By the end of the season the injuries took their toll and this luxury was lacking. Although I hate to say it, I’m partly glad they didn’t make the finals series as the injury toll (Genia, Higginbotham) as well as a couple of other waking wounded would have had a shadow of the side (not 14 players like the Bulls but) running out and possibly facing a smashing this weekend. At least by just missing out and finishing on a nail biter it makes it for one hell of a season. A hiding at the end of the season is not something they deserved.

 

[cheezel]

Well done Ewen, he's been a magician.

I don't think he can be given all of the credit to this years success. Underachieving players (like the two fingers) have stood up and made a massive contribution.

Great season and some great results. I couldn't have asked for more

 

[George]

Thankyou so much to all, and Ewen who has been instrumental, for the most wonderful season. After years of disappointment, and still backing my boys proudly each week, has been so amazing to have friends and all commmenting on the Reds, in a good and positive way, this year!!! Thoroughly enjoyed and so looking forward to next year. :yay

 

[disco]

Definitely a great season for long suffering Reds fans & we finished higher than the Brumbies :yay

Need to get some depth for next season, I thought Weekes was big loss until I saw Slipper play last week but we definitely need another lock.

Would love to see MMM return but if not what is Tom Hockings doing? Is he still under contract with the Force?

I suppose we need to re-sign Cooper & Hynes 1st as we certainly can't afford to lose either of them.

Next year will be tough but the Reds will be tougher especially at home.