REDS 2011

Last season in Super 14 the Reds were a delightful revelation. They shocked important sides like the Crusaders, Bulls and Stormers by running them ragged. And there seems no reason why they cannot do it again for they have the players to break a game apart.

They recall the days when in Super Rugby Queensland reigned supreme, back in the days when it was the Super 10, back in the days when they had names like Tim Horan, Jason Little, Anthony Herbert, Peter Slattery, John Eales, Damian Smith, David Wilson and Ben Tune.

Somehow they slumped and then came the current crop who took rugby by surprise in 2010. They did not win the Super 14 but, heavens, they thrilled as suddenly they broke the tedious pattern of phases and thump-and-bang. Players like Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Peter Hynes and Digby Ioane led the way for them.

There is no earthly reason why they cannot be even better this year, as their 42-15 thumping of the mighty Crusaders suggests – even if it was a warm-up match.

Strengths: Unpredictability may just be their greatest strength, their sudden ability to turn defence into attack. Woe the side that takes things for granted.

Weaknesses: They have a pack that is no more than adequate but then they will half their matches against Australian sides who are likely to be in the same boat.

Noteworthy acquisitions: Guy Shepherdson from the Brumbies and Adam Wallace-Harrison from Kobe Steelers in Japan. Radike Samo has now upgraded his 2010 temporary contract to a full one and they have contracted half a dozen players from their own academy – Ed Quirk, Dominic Shipperley, Liam Gill, Ben Tapuai, Albert Anae and prop James Slipper who became a Wallaby last year at the age of 21.

Noteworthy losses: Daniel Braid who has gone home to New Zealand, Adam Byrnes, who has taken his nuisance value to the Rebels, Blair Connor, who is playing for Bordeaux in France, Sean Hardman, who has retired at the age of 34, a man who made a massive contribution to the Reds over the years, Jack Kennedy, Richard Kingi, a New Zealander who has gone south to the Rebels, Ezra Taylor, who is playing for Connacht in Ireland, Morgan Turinui, who was not wanted by the Reds and is playing in France for Dax, Tim Walsh, who is with Petrarca Padova in Italy, Brandon Va’aulu who is playing in France for struggling Bourgoin, and Laurie Weeks who has gone to the Rebels.

Coaches: Perhaps it has been Ewen McKenzie who has made the difference. Not wanted by the Waratahs and then Stade Français after a disastrous season, he seems to have struck gold in Queensland. He is the Reds seventh coach, starting with John Connolly in 2000. McKenzie is helped by Jim McKay, Matt Taylor and Alec Evans.

Captain: James Horwill, a lock, capped 24 times for Australia, must be a good captain to get the nod ahead of genius Will Genia who is his vice captain.  Horwill is back from the harsh knee injury which kept him out of most of last Super Rugby season – back and enthusiastic. Genia was captain in his stead last year.

Potential bolter: Speedy Luke Morahan.

2010 Position: Fifth
Best finish: First in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999 (they lost in the play-offs in each of those years)
Worst finish: 14th in 2007
Home Venue: Suncorp Stadium (capacity 52 000)

2010 Prospects: They have a gentle start to the season and play the tough sides – Bulls, Waratahs and Crusaders – at home. They could well make the play-offs in June. In fact you would expect them to.

Reds squad: Albert Anae, Will Chambers, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Anthony Fainga’a, Saia Fainga’a, Will Genia, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Michael Harris, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, James Horwill (captain), Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Ed Quirk, Radike Samo, Jake Schatz, Guy Shepherdson, Dom Shipperley, Rob Simmons, Kimami Sitauti, James Slipper, Ben Tapuai, Chris Timaloa, Lei Tomiki, Adam Wallace-Harrison

Schedule:
20 February: v Force, home
26 February: v Waratahs, away
5 March: v Brumbies, away
12 March: Bye
18 March: v Rebels, home
2 April: v Lions, away
9 April: v Stormers, away
16 April: v Bulls, home
23 April: v Waratahs, home
30 April: v Hurricanes, away
6 May: v Rebels, away
13 May: v Blues, away
20 May: Bye
29 May: v Crusaders, away
4 June: v Brumbies, home
11 June: v Force, away
18 June: v Chiefs, away