Good wins, bad losses: How the Reds fared
After six wins it’s been an improved Super Rugby season by the Reds, as Jim Tucker looks at the key moments
THE GOOD
1. TANIELA TUPOU
The destructive rise of “Tongan Thor” as a scrum monster was huge. He is now a Wallabyclass weapon.
2. GENERATION NEXT
In the Reds’ final game, a 19year-old halfback (Tate McDermott) was feeding a 20-yearold flyhalf (Hamish Stewart). New flanker Liam Wright (12 games), Jordan Petaia (11) and co now know what it takes.
3. CONSEQUENCES
Coach Brad Thorn definitely made players more accountable. Drug-soiled Karmichael Hunt was given no easy way back.
THE BAD
1. TACKLING TECHNIQUE
They will moan about dud calls but there was plenty of poor technique mixed with 10 yellow cards and a red card.
2. NAIVE ATTACK
Twelve tries in the final two games inflated a 49-try season that had laboured periods.
3. TOKYO TUMBLE
A wasteful switch-off for a 63-28 debacle.
THE UGLY
1. DRUGS DRAMAS
Paying a $300,000 contract share of Karmichael Hunt’s non-season was pure waste while James Slipper’s two outof-competition positives for cocaine will likely never see him play at the Reds again.
2. DEFENSIVE LULLS
Some poor lapses to concede way too many tries (66).
3. CROWD NUMBERS
Financial struggles were inflamed by poor Suncorp crowds with only 14,452 for the Reds-Waratahs showpiece.