Reds 2016
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wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
Gill out for a month or more with stress fractures in his lower back. Really weird article by Wayne Smith is already making excuses for why Graham is more unlucky than incompetent.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...t/news-story/b0f85ac7d0cb06d5408056660ea15605
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...t/news-story/b0f85ac7d0cb06d5408056660ea15605
waiopehu oldboy
Stirling Mortlock (74)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ from behind the PayWall:
"Think what you like of Queensland boss Richard Graham’s coaching ability but there is little doubt he is one of the unluckiest coaches in Super Rugby, with Liam Gill joining the Reds’ mounting injury toll before the season has even started.
"The Reds will open their 2016 campaign with a match against the old enemy, NSW, in Sydney on Saturday, but before a ball has been kicked in anger the Queenslanders have lost three of their best players.
"Lock Kane Douglas was first to be ruled out, with a knee injury sustained in the World Cup final, then captain and Test loosehead James Slipper required shoulder surgery. And now Gill has been sidelined for at least the first four games with a stress fracture of his lower back.
"The injury is unrelated to the heavy knock he suffered during the trial against the Brumbies on February 13 but a subsequent examination proved the truth of former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s claim that no good ever came of having precautionary scans.
"It is deeply disappointing news for Gill, who was the runaway winner of the Pilecki Medal by a record margin last season. He is in his final season before heading off to France, and while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has already indicated he has plans for the brilliant openside flanker this year, the window won’t stay open for long if he is battling injury.
"But arguably it is worse news for Graham. The Reds have been dogged by injuries for the past two seasons and, while the Queensland rugby fraternity has never cut the coach any slack because of the horrendous casualty list, there is little doubt it has had an impact.
"Graham’s coaching survival will surely be determined before the Super Rugby season is even half over, yet it’s unlikely Gill, Slipper or Douglas, Wallabies all, will have played any rugby by that point.
"Gill’s absence will particularly be felt at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night when the Reds come up against Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper, the man who might well have been acclaimed as the best backrower at the World Cup were it not for David Pocock.
"Still, it opens the door for former Churchie and Australian Schoolboys backrower Michael Gunn to make his Super Rugby debut, unless Graham decides to go for experience by choosing regular blindside flanker Curtis Browning when he names his side this morning.
"Hendrick Tui, Japan’s World Cup backrower, will hopefully get to make more of an impact than last season when a leg injury restricted him to the final two games, while Jake Schatz should round out the loose forward trio at No 8. With captain Rob Simmons, he has been one of the Reds’ surest lineout winners in recent years.
"Tui's Japanese teammate, Ayumu Goromaru, who scored 24 points in the astonishing victory by the Brave Blossoms over two-time world champions South Africa in September, almost certainly will have to bide his time on the reserves bench before getting his first taste of Super Rugby.
"Given that he has spent only the past fortnight at Ballymore, Goromaru will not be rushed by Graham, although the Reds have so few scoring weapons at their disposal it would be astonishing if he is left languishing on the bench for long.
"It is doubtful the Reds have ever started a Super Rugby campaign with such low expectations. Every upset victory stretching back to Thermopylae has been cited this week as proof that a Reds victory on Saturday is not out of the question.
"That may be and they may well conquer the Tahs. But if so, their captain Simmons will surely be sporting a new nickname on Sunday morning: Leonidas."
"Think what you like of Queensland boss Richard Graham’s coaching ability but there is little doubt he is one of the unluckiest coaches in Super Rugby, with Liam Gill joining the Reds’ mounting injury toll before the season has even started.
"The Reds will open their 2016 campaign with a match against the old enemy, NSW, in Sydney on Saturday, but before a ball has been kicked in anger the Queenslanders have lost three of their best players.
"Lock Kane Douglas was first to be ruled out, with a knee injury sustained in the World Cup final, then captain and Test loosehead James Slipper required shoulder surgery. And now Gill has been sidelined for at least the first four games with a stress fracture of his lower back.
"The injury is unrelated to the heavy knock he suffered during the trial against the Brumbies on February 13 but a subsequent examination proved the truth of former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s claim that no good ever came of having precautionary scans.
"It is deeply disappointing news for Gill, who was the runaway winner of the Pilecki Medal by a record margin last season. He is in his final season before heading off to France, and while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has already indicated he has plans for the brilliant openside flanker this year, the window won’t stay open for long if he is battling injury.
"But arguably it is worse news for Graham. The Reds have been dogged by injuries for the past two seasons and, while the Queensland rugby fraternity has never cut the coach any slack because of the horrendous casualty list, there is little doubt it has had an impact.
"Graham’s coaching survival will surely be determined before the Super Rugby season is even half over, yet it’s unlikely Gill, Slipper or Douglas, Wallabies all, will have played any rugby by that point.
"Gill’s absence will particularly be felt at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night when the Reds come up against Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper, the man who might well have been acclaimed as the best backrower at the World Cup were it not for David Pocock.
"Still, it opens the door for former Churchie and Australian Schoolboys backrower Michael Gunn to make his Super Rugby debut, unless Graham decides to go for experience by choosing regular blindside flanker Curtis Browning when he names his side this morning.
"Hendrick Tui, Japan’s World Cup backrower, will hopefully get to make more of an impact than last season when a leg injury restricted him to the final two games, while Jake Schatz should round out the loose forward trio at No 8. With captain Rob Simmons, he has been one of the Reds’ surest lineout winners in recent years.
"Tui's Japanese teammate, Ayumu Goromaru, who scored 24 points in the astonishing victory by the Brave Blossoms over two-time world champions South Africa in September, almost certainly will have to bide his time on the reserves bench before getting his first taste of Super Rugby.
"Given that he has spent only the past fortnight at Ballymore, Goromaru will not be rushed by Graham, although the Reds have so few scoring weapons at their disposal it would be astonishing if he is left languishing on the bench for long.
"It is doubtful the Reds have ever started a Super Rugby campaign with such low expectations. Every upset victory stretching back to Thermopylae has been cited this week as proof that a Reds victory on Saturday is not out of the question.
"That may be and they may well conquer the Tahs. But if so, their captain Simmons will surely be sporting a new nickname on Sunday morning: Leonidas."
waiopehu oldboy
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Pretty sure he did.
This from Jim Tucker in the CM a coupla days ago caught my eye:
"A MID-SEASON review of Richard Graham’s performance as Reds coach is certain now influential backer Rod McCall has stood down as Queensland Rugby Union chairman."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...n/news-story/1b965a7bec1e450633b22979f5912f50
There's what appears to be a similar piece ("Rod McCall's exit could signal end for Reds coach Richard Graham") in the Strayan but I can't get behind that particular paywall to confirm...........
T
TOCC
Guest
That's 3 of the Reds best players now out Injured: Douglas, Slipper and Gill
gel
Ken Catchpole (46)
RG is no more (or less) "ünlucky" than any other coach ever is.
There are plenty of seasons of injury woe for any number coaches over their careers that have caused havoc for their plans, but their systems and preparations have allowed them to muddle their way through and maintain some results (Ewen had a rough trot with injuries throughout 2012/2013 and we did OK).
There are no excuses for RG's results to be made here.
He has been dealt the same as any coach has ever been dealt, with the exception not being held responsible for his team's performance.
A part of me is empathetic to his plight, but the situation is his to deal with and how he copes with it will show just what sort of coach he truly is.
There are plenty of seasons of injury woe for any number coaches over their careers that have caused havoc for their plans, but their systems and preparations have allowed them to muddle their way through and maintain some results (Ewen had a rough trot with injuries throughout 2012/2013 and we did OK).
There are no excuses for RG's results to be made here.
He has been dealt the same as any coach has ever been dealt, with the exception not being held responsible for his team's performance.
A part of me is empathetic to his plight, but the situation is his to deal with and how he copes with it will show just what sort of coach he truly is.
T
TOCC
Guest
Lolo Fakaosilea has a ruptured hamstring from the Brumbies trial, that's in addition to Adam Korcyzk who did his ACL? In preseason.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
dru
Tim Horan (67)
Douglas, Slipper and Korczyk have been known for months and should well and truly be covered with the team planning. In deed where we are in the front row and locks looks good to me. Luck has nothing to do with it.
Lolo and Gill are unexpected injuries. I'd have a smidge more sympathy for RG if he hadnt given every appearance of deliberately pissing off Gill over the seasons. (Ditto pretty much any Red of experience.)
The toll of unexpected injuries is small. We havent kicked off round one and we already see RG apologists hitting the tape. I realise that professional coaching is a harsh world and that every person is a critic. But honest, he is years past being given the benefit of doubt.
Dickie, quit the bitching and get on with it. We are over it.
Lolo and Gill are unexpected injuries. I'd have a smidge more sympathy for RG if he hadnt given every appearance of deliberately pissing off Gill over the seasons. (Ditto pretty much any Red of experience.)
The toll of unexpected injuries is small. We havent kicked off round one and we already see RG apologists hitting the tape. I realise that professional coaching is a harsh world and that every person is a critic. But honest, he is years past being given the benefit of doubt.
Dickie, quit the bitching and get on with it. We are over it.
Ignoto
John Thornett (49)
The Reds knew well in advance that both Slipper and Douglas were by in large going to miss this Super Season. Alternatives could/should have been arranged in they were concerned about the pickle the injuries would put them in.
As Slipper wasn't allowed to get surgery on his shoulders prior to the WC and Douglas injury happening in the WC Final/under Wallaby control, I'm sure the ARU would have allowed special consideration for the Reds to sign two additional players and allow the ARU to cover some of the cost.
Gill's injury should be treated as business as usual, you play rugby games, you expect casualties. Douglas while a loss, is covered quite well by Simmons and Neville. Meaning that extra money could have been spent securing a replacement for Slipper. Perhaps an Argie prop would have been willing to forgo a winter in Europe for a super season?
As Slipper wasn't allowed to get surgery on his shoulders prior to the WC and Douglas injury happening in the WC Final/under Wallaby control, I'm sure the ARU would have allowed special consideration for the Reds to sign two additional players and allow the ARU to cover some of the cost.
Gill's injury should be treated as business as usual, you play rugby games, you expect casualties. Douglas while a loss, is covered quite well by Simmons and Neville. Meaning that extra money could have been spent securing a replacement for Slipper. Perhaps an Argie prop would have been willing to forgo a winter in Europe for a super season?
T
TOCC
Guest
I didn't mention those injuries to get sympathy RG, i couldn't care less about that subject..
I mentioned them because this is the Reds 2016 thread and thats usually where that sort of thing goes, the extent of Lolo's injury was previously unknown, and in addition to Gill it means the Reds are down 3 backrower's, there aren't any more backrower's in the squad behind those named for the Tahs match or injured.
I mentioned them because this is the Reds 2016 thread and thats usually where that sort of thing goes, the extent of Lolo's injury was previously unknown, and in addition to Gill it means the Reds are down 3 backrower's, there aren't any more backrower's in the squad behind those named for the Tahs match or injured.
Lance Free
Arch Winning (36)
Reds bench has got nothing (apart from maybe Goro & Talakai)? Hooper v Browning. No contest. Can't afford to have the luxury of leaving Goro on the bench. Stupid (unless he's carrying niggling injuries). Going to get belted.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
TOCC I was thinking about the paywall article. Not your info.
I think he's chosen reasonably on that front. I think Browning was already ahead of Quirk and Robinson whilst a great clubman is certainly getting old and Gunn is presumably on minimum wage. If he could have kept Robinson on a similar minimum wage then maybe there was more of an argument to be had, but Gunn is surely an investment in the future.
I think there's potentially been some mistakes in the past when you look at players they've missed out on like Sean McMahon, but that happens to every team. It's hard to decide whether the guy you've invested a couple of years in should be ditched in order to sign a kid fresh out of school.
Lance Free
Arch Winning (36)
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