Agreed Ash. I will always support the Reds.... rain, hail or shine. However as Ash said that doesn't mean we have to be happy with or support every aspect of the organisation.
The Fact of the matter is that the players didn't look like they knew what to do in attack or defense(the set piece also seems to have gone backwards). Either the game plan is terrible or there is a disconnect between the coaches and players. Either way I see that as the coaches responsibilities. Graham joined the Reds in mid 2013 I believe(?)... surely there should be some semblance of a game plan by now.
It's not like they have been sitting on their arse or training only twice a week during the pre season. They(the collective) have had more than enough time to get a team playing with some sort of shape in attack, sting in defense and effectiveness at the breakdown.
I think the reason why some of the supporters are unhappy is the distinct lack of improvement from the season last year to now. Yes it is the first game. However it was also the first game for the Rebels, Force, Cheetahs, Stormers, Chiefs and of course the Brumbies. Look at the difference in game plan, physicality and simple determination between those teams and the Reds performance on Friday night. I'd say all those teams looked as good as, if not better, than they did last year.
Of course I pray to the rugby gods that last Friday was just a blip on the radar, nothing to worry about. RG should hold his position for the season unless we see those score lines every week. The QRU should be looking forward to next season and possible head coaches who can get the most out of an incredibly talented group of young players. I am worried, if the issue is the coaching team, that a lot of these players will head elsewhere to further their rugby career. That would be the biggest blow to the Reds and a very real prospect.
