In what will be a huge year of Rugby for Queensland, we understand the need to continue evolving if we are to reach the heights this team craves. As coaches, it’s crucial we maximise our chances of success by finding new ways to challenge and motivate our side. This can be done in a number of ways.
The easiest way is to change the environment that a team operates within. Often, this is done through a change in the playing personnel, although, as we have one of the youngest teams in Super Rugby, believe the benefit of consistency within our group will pay the biggest dividends. Our 2013 squad has a very familiar look to it, with only prop Jono Owens joining the group from outside our Contracted and Extended Playing Squad of last season.
Change this year comes in our coaching structure. We welcome Richard Graham into our ranks for 2013 as Head Coach, and combined with returning Senior Assistant Coach Jim McKay, will ensure that our small but talented set-up will allow us to maximise the potential of individuals while at the same time progress our team game to another level.
Our desire is to continue executing our attractive brand of Rugby which has excited the growing number of Members and supporters who watched the Reds in record-numbers last year. We appreciate the importance of offering a product on the field which promotes our Code to the masses and will work vigilantly on further evolving our game to ensure it’s the envy of our opposition.
We will also strive to offer a platform where our talent can step-up and thrive at Wallaby level. To have more than half our playing group chosen for national duty in 2012 is extremely pleasing on a personal level but also a huge tick of approval for the program we have in place here in Queensland. Our proven track record for developing Wallaby talent is a huge reason the vast majority of our players choose to remain at the Reds.
In the end, our ultimate goal still remains to win Super Rugby. I’ve got no doubt the adversity we faced last season will only make us stronger and we will be a more formidable opponent because of the experience.
I look forward to seeing you all again in 2013.
Ewen's Signature
Ewen McKenzie
Director of Coaching
St.George Queensland Reds