Reds boss Jim Carmichael backs under-fire coach Richard Graham after failed season
BESIEGED coach Richard Graham must transform the Reds in the opening eight games of next season or the calls for his head will be deafening.
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BESIEGED coach Richard Graham must transform the Reds in the opening eight games of next season or the calls for his head will be deafening.
The crumbling of the Reds empire from fifth to a ragged 13th in one season has been so complete that such hard marking is demanded.
A two-week inquest into the Reds failed season will be immediate and it must draw out blunt, honest assessments on players, coaches and tactics.
The inept finishing in last Saturday night’s 34-3 tumble to the NSW Waratahs highlighted the decay in confidence and basic skills which need an overhaul.
Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Jim Carmichael on Sunday rejected outright any stopwatch being put on Graham’s tenure when backing his coach.
MORE: Watch full highlights of the Waratahs’ big win over the Reds
The QRU boss said he was prepared to cop flak for the season’s deficiencies but would not be giving peeved fans a coach’s head.
“We won’t be able to deliver a year like this next year,” Carmichael said.
“But mark the Reds, Richard and I on the first game of next season when we are back in the arms race with a new player list and more high performance support around the team.
“I’m not so silly that I’m waking up today surrounded by carnage and asking ‘what do I do?’
“Over the past 12 months we’ve been planning and been very honest about our shortcomings, the player changes we need and the remedies.
“From scouting, getting our best Under-20s talent up to speed quicker and skills support … we’ll be adding to infrastructure. Coaching is only one part of it.”
With a sombre mood around just five wins from 16 games, Carmichael said it might still be a month before he announced the biggest lift — key signings.
“I’m not going to buy a happy headline today by announcing a signing just because we have had a tough end,” he said.
Former Wallaby James O’Connor’s signing, it seems, will now be made by video link because he has started pre-season training with Toulon for a five-month stint in France.
“We are set on the player front for next year but for a few bits and pieces and strategically leaving two or three spots open,” Carmichael said mysteriously.
Seven players are gone which means that many new faces at least.
“Richard is a developing coach with a very good ability to teach and nurture and he’ll get whatever resources he needs to take the team to the next level,” Carmichael said.
“I believe you could see him here at the Reds for five years.”
Strapping Fijian centre Samu Kerevi has been the one rookie to break through this season although flanker Curtis Browning, 20, had strong patches too.
Kerevi’s 12 runs for 97m plus several expert off-loads made him look at home against a Wallaby-studded NSW backline except for three late errors.
Originally published as Reds boss Jim Carmichael backs under-fire coach Richard Graham after failed season
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