Frank Sinatra once sang “you’re riding high in April, shot down in May” – I’m not sure, but I think I heard Phil Mooney humming the same tune at the end of last night’s game against the Brumbies.
Sure, the Reds might not have been exactly riding high last week, but after their ground breaking win against the Blues, there was more than enough to suggest that there might at least be a bright end to the season.
There can be no argument however that the Reds have well and truly been “shot down in May” with the record drubbing the Brumbies handed them.
While stopping short of accusing his players of lacking heart, Mooney took aim at what he termed ‘clocking off’ by some players.
A despondent Mooney said after the game.
“I can’t explain it like that (lacking heart), I’d have to give it a bit more thought. Every time someone clocked off or didn’t do the job required, they exposed us very well – I’m not quite sure how you term it. Guys certainly go out there to try, there’s no doubt about that”
What’s the difference? If you play with heart surely you aren’t prone to ‘clocking off’ are you?
It is clear there are plenty in the Reds team that lack the skill to play Super 14, but what is most concerning is the way the Reds roll over with morbid resignation and allow themselves to cop it up the ginger.
Twice this year teams have raised the bat for the 50 against the Reds, and when you add the meek capitulation to the Force and Lions, it appears as though there is a crisis not only of skills, but also of pride around Ballymore.
As Mooney forlornly offered about the Reds hopes next week
“We’ve shown we can turn things around, but we tend to need a crisis to do it”
Make no mistake – this is a crisis the Reds will not recover from. To be outplayed by a better team is going to happen from time to time, but to allow teams to win through players not showing the required level effort is a totally different animal.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2739 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=2739">6 Comments
Good article. Wanted to acknowledge it. But I am over talking about the Reds. Easily the worst aspect of my life right now.
amen, I feel your pain brother
I have just heard that Tasi has a broken hand and is also in doubt for next week.
Andrew Shaw from Brothers is a must, put Crofty in the mix as well – the catholics do a lost cause better than anyone else!!!
Amen and can I get a alleluia… Yes we catholics have a long history of being thrown to the lions and big shoulders to boot.
You article read like the local obituary… and may the Reds rest in peace.
Great article.
Surely that must be all the bad karma gone now; a dicking’s one thing, but to lose every decent player you have through injury during (or warming up to) it is cata-fucking-clismic.
Unbelievable to see how much the whole house of cards relied on Berrick Buns. Apart from his height and comedy chin, why the fuck is Horwill captain? (from what after the first QLD try, you could ask the same thing of Smith and Hoiles)
Quade Cooper – can he regress any further? He’s now back to pre end of 08 tour joke status.
Genia – worthy under study to the Burgwan in the Green and Gold this year!
Pretty sad stuff. They’ve been at the bottom for a while now.
Barnes, Digby, Genia and Hynes for some awesome Wallaby squad action. Horwill too I spose, and MMM if not injured.
Email from my father, the quintessential Reds man:
we went to horrible rugby game sat night. i cannot recall a worse display by a Queensland side in 40 years. they were shatterred by injuries but the ones on the field were awful. Cooper will never be a wallaby and horwill is not a captains arsehole-thick as a brick. i haven’t seen the recording and may not bother looking at it-there was no leadership in the forwards and absolutely no defence-they just stood there looking on-clearly the culture is still not improving the QRU lost $4.4 million last year and losses will continue. it will continue until the ARU support Qld in aquiring players like richard brown and retaining players like mmm and ione and barnes. it seems ridiculous that mitchell transfers to the waratahs to be closer than perth to family in brisbane.