Queensland Reds 2026

[Strewthcobber]

With these stats, doesn't look like the Reds have really regressed. They've pushed more offloads which is impressive given the conditions they played in. With that I wonder what the handling errors were.
There was an extra game last year too. So, all stats would've been up or close to even?

Does anyone think they have regressed? The criticism that seems to be getting thrown around is that they haven't improved, or at least haven't closed the gap on the "good" teams

Same number of games as last year. 14 regular season + one finals game

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think they have performed exactly how Les kiss sides perform. While at Ulster they were around 4-5. Took over LI and progressively got better and were 5th when the joint failed.

 

[Dctarget]

I think they have performed exactly how Les kiss sides perform. While at Ulster they were around 4-5. Took over LI and progressively got better and were 5th when the joint failed.

I'd take Aus going fifth right now, come on now give it the Kiss of Les.

 

[dru]

Is playing the same style each and every game the best way to play particularly if it is becoming more apparent that the style being played isn't giving you a chance to beat sides that are better than you?

This has hallmarks of something Cheika was criticized for regularly. Wanting to play your own style and not be dictated to by the other team is great except when that other team is good enough to neutralize the way you play.

I can’t deny how much I enjoyed Linc’s 2011 with the complete disparate game plans built on who they were playing. I feel here however, much of the bitching is fans concerned about the WBs and on this thread I’m completely fine with the “style” and chuffed that we held our ground for another 12 months of Les.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Just had a quick look, and to add to my previous caveat, the 2023 Reds team, which was demonstrably worse thann 2025 vintage, and yet made it to the same place - losing quarter finalist, had fewer yellow cards, way more offloads, a more successful lineout, beat more defenders, and gained more metres. So take all of these stats for what they are worth

The 2023 side had a much worse scrum, and probably the only one that makes any difference - way fewer tries

 

[Wilson]

Just had a quick look, and to add to my previous caveat, the 2023 Reds team, which was demonstrably worse thann 2025 vintage, and yet made it to the same place - losing quarter finalist, had fewer yellow cards, way more offloads, a more successful lineout, beat more defenders, and gained more metres. So take all of these stats for what they are worth

The 2023 side had a much worse scrum, and probably the only one that makes any difference - way fewer tries

It's a real pity those opta stats don't go back to previous seasons, their % offloads leading to a line break/try/either are so much more useful for judging the effectiveness of an offload game then shear numbers. Same for their maul metres and maul trys per game.

 

[Adam84]

I'll be a broken record, but i think the Reds are missing size in the backline. It was always a risk when they lost Petaia and Vunivalu.. Whilst Vunivalu was never the player you hoped he would be he was still a big body would could crash over the advantage line.

Without size to straighten attack, they rely on passing and creativity which only gets you so far.. If the forwards don't have dominance to create that front-foot ball, then a small backline will be smothered all day long.

Paisami, Pakeho and Daugunu were asked to play that role in the centres, to straighten the attack, but they aren't those kinds of players. They can't be the go-to player for crashing the ball up every time. Anderson also tried off the wing, and he was probably the most successful version of this.

In terms of the pipeline, Franke Goldsbrough might fill some of this requirement at 13, but still has a lot of work to do.

 

[Ignoto]

the 2023 Reds team, which was demonstrably worse thann 2025 vintage,

I dunno, that's a pretty big claim to make. There are definitely areas the 25 team are stronger than the 23 team, but through injuries and wide squad depth, the 23 team would get the nod in some spots.

 

[Wilson]

I dunno, that's a pretty big claim to make. There are definitely areas the 25 team are stronger than the 23 team, but through injuries and wide squad depth, the 23 team would get the nod in some spots.

It's a team sport, one team being "demonstrably worse" than another does not mean man for man worse.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I dunno, that's a pretty big claim to make. There are definitely areas the 25 team are stronger than the 23 team, but through injuries and wide squad depth, the 23 team would get the nod in some spots.

5 & 9 v 10 8 & 6 is pretty easy to demonstrate

 

[Wilson]

5 & 9 v 10 & 6 is pretty easy to demonstrate

8 & 6, but the point very much still stands

 

[Tomthumb]

5 & 9 v 10 8 & 6 is pretty easy to demonstrate

Yes but to be fair the 5-9 team ran the minor premiers super close in their QF and the 8-6 team got demolished in theirs

 

[Box_Kick_]

Not sure there are too many positives for the Reds this year

 

[Adam84]

This is the Reds 2026 thread thanks guys..

 

[Box_Kick_]

This is the Reds 2026 thread thanks guys..

2026, huh? Guess that means the Reds will finally stop promising and actually deliver... again. Seriously though, with their young core and some savvy recruiting, maybe this'll be their year. Or at least a top-four finish.

 

[PhilClinton]

And this is the conundrum we have with Australian rugby and super rugby.

When stacked up against other Aussie sides, the Reds have consistently been the best or second best side in the country probably since 2020.

But when it comes to SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) success, the gap is still a lot wider when it comes to ability and depth when compared to the NZ sides. We are always pushing shit up hill and I don’t think we have the pathways/player pool to close the gap in a meaningful way. That isnt just the Reds, that’s rugby in Australia.

The weekend just gone was a perfect example, the Brumbies couldn’t keep with the Chiefs and were blown out in the second half of the game.

Aussie sides need to play a perfect game (and have no injuries) in order to remain fully competitive week to week against NZ sides.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

And this is the conundrum we have with Australian rugby and super rugby.

When stacked up against other Aussie sides, the Reds have consistently been the best or second best side in the country probably since 2020.

But when it comes to SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) success, the gap is still a lot wider when it comes to ability and depth when compared to the NZ sides. We are always pushing shit up hill and I don’t think we have the pathways/player pool to close the gap in a meaningful way. That isnt just the Reds, that’s rugby in Australia.

The weekend just gone was a perfect example, the Brumbies couldn’t keep with the Chiefs and were blown out in the second half of the game.

Aussie sides need to play a perfect game (and have no injuries) in order to remain fully competitive week to week against NZ sides.

My thoughts exactly, I can only see SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (not the Australian Rugby necessarily) being saved if you get a NFL style system with a draft and NZ and AUS players playing alongside each other for the different franchises.

 

[WoodysRFC]

My thoughts exactly, I can only see SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) (not the Australian Rugby necessarily) being saved if you get a NFL style system with a draft and NZ and AUS players playing alongside each other for the different franchises.

Ideally too, they'd really push star power as well. NRL are great at elevating their stars, and Wobs have been pushing JAS hard, but NZ seem to want to protect the AB brand at the expense of pushing any one player above, which means a myriad of Warriors are becoming household names here in NZ.

 

[Nuggetyflyhalf]

2026, huh? Guess that means the Reds will finally stop promising and actually deliver... again. Seriously though, with their young core and some savvy recruiting, maybe this'll be their year. Or at least a top-four finish.

It will not be. They need to implement a whole new program to improve next year.

 

[Box_Kick_]

And this is the conundrum we have with Australian rugby and super rugby.

When stacked up against other Aussie sides, the Reds have consistently been the best or second best side in the country probably since 2020.

But when it comes to SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) (Super Rugby Pacific) success, the gap is still a lot wider when it comes to ability and depth when compared to the NZ sides. We are always pushing shit up hill and I don’t think we have the pathways/player pool to close the gap in a meaningful way. That isnt just the Reds, that’s rugby in Australia.

The weekend just gone was a perfect example, the Brumbies couldn’t keep with the Chiefs and were blown out in the second half of the game.

Aussie sides need to play a perfect game (and have no injuries) in order to remain fully competitive week to week against NZ sides.

That’s a defeatist attitude to have. We can and we will compete with the NZ sides if we’re a little more positive and change a few things.

Also, the Brumbies would have beaten the Chiefs on the weekend if Lelesio didn’t get hurt.