Queensland Reds

Queensland Reds

Union	Rugby Australia
Founded	1882; 139 years ago (1882)
Location	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Region	Queensland
Ground(s)	Suncorp Stadium (Capacity: 52,500)
Coach(es)	Brad Thorn
Captain(s)	Liam Wright
Most caps	Sean Hardman (148)
Top scorer	Michael Lynagh (1145)
League(s)	Super Rugby Super Rugby AU Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
2021	Super Rugby AU 1st (Champions) Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 7th
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
redsrugby.com.au
Current season

The Queensland Reds is the rugby union team for the Australian state of Queensland that competes in the Southern Hemisphere's Super Rugby competition. Prior to 1996, they were a representative team selected from the rugby union club competitions in Queensland. With the introduction of the professional Super 12 competition they moved to a model where players are contracted to the Reds through the Queensland Rugby Union rather than selected on the basis of club form.

From 1996 to 2005 they were one of three Australian teams competing in the Super 12 competition, alongside the New South Wales Waratahs and the ACT Brumbies. Queensland finished as minor premiers in 1996 and 1999. From 2006 to 2010, they competed in the expanded Super 14 competition as one of four Australian sides. Beginning in 2011, they are one of five Australian sides in the expanded and renamed Super Rugby, winning the competition in its first season in its new format. In 2012 they finished first in the Australian conference.

History[]

Early Queensland years[]

Refer also to Rugby union in Queensland

Queen's Park in the 1880s – playing field at far end

The first recorded games of rugby in Queensland were played in 1876, when the existing Brisbane Football Club (formed in 1866), switched to rugby to align with the newly formed 'Rangers' and 'Bonnet Rouge' football clubs. However, it was reported that the game was soon varied to suit the preferences of the local players, and “rugby, with Brisbane variations, was the game played” (The Brisbane Courier, 10 July 1876). Most of these games were played at the Queen's Park (now part of the City Botanic Gardens (see image at right). However, the Brisbane Courier reported in 1879 that the Brisbane FC had reverted to what had become known as the 'Victorian rules', “in place of the Rugby Union Rules played by the club during the last three seasons”.

In 1880, the club became a foundation member of the Queensland Football Association (QFA), along with Wallaroo, Excelsiors and Athenians (Ipswich), where it was decided to recognise and play mostly 'Victorian rules', with occasional games of 'Rugby' rules. However, in 1882, a Brisbane FC representative () arranged a rugby match against the Sydney Wallaroos Rugby club, after the NSWRU (Rugby Union) offered to pay all costs associated with the match.^[1] Brisbane advocates of the Victorian rules game reacted angrily and declared that no QFA player would be permitted to play under rugby rules, which led to the formation of the Northern Rugby Union (now the Queensland Rugby Union) in late 1883.

The following years saw rapidly increasing popularity of the rugby game. As rugby historian noted:

The defining moment in the code battle came with the 1886 Queensland [Rugby] side, who defeated NSW for the first time in Sydney. “The success of this team undoubtedly won the day for rugby game in Queensland. The Victorian game supporters were struggling hard to uphold the premier position they had gained but after the brilliant performance of the 1886 team, who lost only one match through their tour, the rugby game became very popular and the next season several new clubs were formed and the Victorian game began to wane” (QRU Annual, 1902).

Queensland Rugby team 1899: Front row – F. Kent, S. Boland, W. Tannee, E. Currie, A. Colton. Centre – A. Gralton, C. S. Graham, R. McCowan (captain), T. Colton. Back row – W. Evans, P. Carew, T. Ward, W. H. Austin, A. Corfe, L. Dixon

In 1883, the first inter-colonial match in Brisbane took place, with Queensland defeating New South Wales 12 to 11 at the Eagle Farm Racecourse. In 1896 the first Queensland team departed for a tour of New Zealand, where they played New Zealand at Athletic Park in Wellington on 15 August, losing 9 to nil. In 1899 Queensland recorded their first win against an international team, defeating The Lions 11 to 3 at the Exhibition Ground (see team photo at right).

The Queensland team remained a representative team selected solely from the rugby union clubs within the state, until the advent of the Super rugby competition in the 1990s.

Pre-Super competitions[]

With the start up of rugby league as well as World War I, Queensland rugby was dormant for a number of years, and the QRU was disbanded in 1919 and was not revived until the late 1920s. In 1928 the QRU was re-formed, and the GPS competition and major clubs soon returned.^[2] The game struggled during World War II, but growth was nonetheless apparent, with the advent of the Queensland Junior Rugby Union and the Country Rugby Union. In 1950 the QRU secured the Normanby Oval at nominal rent from Brisbane Grammar School, before they moved into Ballymore Stadium in 1966, which would serve as the spiritual home of Queensland. In 1980 Queensland defeated the All Blacks, which was their first win against New Zealand. The match was played at Ballymore on 6 July and Queensland won 9 to 3. Two seasons later centenary celebrations took place, with Queensland defeating New South Wales 41 to 7 in the celebratory match.

Early Super Rugby[]

The first Super 10 was held in 1993. Queensland were grouped in Pool A alongside Auckland, Natal, Western Samoa and Otago. Queensland finished with five points, in fourth place. The subsequent Super 10 competition of 1994 saw Queensland finish at the top of Pool A on 13 points, edging out North Harbour on for and against differential to finish at the top. The Queensland Reds went on to play the winner of Pool B, South African side, Natal. The Reds won the final, 21 points to 10 at Kings Park Stadium in Durban. The following season was even more successful for the Reds, who were playing in Pool B for the 1995 season. They finished the season with 16 points, four points clear of second placed team in their pool, the Free State. South African team Transvaal had finished at the top of Pool A and the final was to be decided at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Queensland won the final 30–16, and thus became back-to-back champions.

Super 12[]

With rugby union going professional, there was a reworking of competitions. The SANZAR partnership was formed between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU), the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) and the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and the Super 12 was born. In the 1996 season Queensland finished at the top of the table.

Queensland hosted their Super 12 semi-final on 18 May 1996. The game was played at Queensland's home of rugby union, Ballymore, and was played against the Sharks. The Sharks defeated Queensland 43–25. The 1997 season saw the Reds finish in ninth place. In 1998 the Reds had a much better season, finishing in fifth position at the end of the season.

In 1999 Queensland lost only three games during the regular season, and finished at the top of the ladder on 36 points (beating the Stormers to first position due to for and against points). The Reds hosted the Canterbury Crusaders at Ballymore for a semi-final. Canterbury won 28–22. In 2000 the Reds finished in seventh place on the ladder. In 2001 the Reds finished in fourth place on the ladder and played in the semis. They played fellow Australian team, the Brumbies in Canberra, and the Brumbies won 30 points to six. The following season, 2002, the Reds finished in fifth place. For the 2003 season, Queensland finished in eighth place. Queensland finished tenth in the 2004 and 2005 Super 12 seasons.

Super 14[]

In 2006, the Super 12 became the Super 14 with the addition of the Western Force (AUS) and the Cheetahs (RSA). Queensland played the Waratahs in the opening game of the season, which was a close loss. The Reds also played new team the Western Force, which Queensland won. Queensland finished 12th on the ladder. Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones took over from Jeff Miller as coach for the 2007 season.

New coach Eddie Jones got off to a winning start at Queensland Rugby, with a Queensland XV, 63–22 victory over the NEC club. The Reds took part in the one-off Australian Provincial Championship not getting the start they wanted, losing to the Force 32–6 at home in round one but turned it around the next week beating the Waratahs 39–17 in Gosford. The following week the Reds beat the competition leaders the Brumbies 20–19 after a penalty goal by Lloyd Johansson to qualify for the final in the ACT against the same team they beat. However, Queensland lost 42–17. Later in the year Queensland beat the Cherry Blossoms 29–22 in Japan.

The 2007 Super 14 season saw the Queensland Reds finishing a poor season by winning the wooden spoon, they couldn't have started the competition any better when they beat 2006 Grand Finalists the Wellington Hurricanes in Round 1, after that win they would not taste victory again until Round 12. The season was summed up in the final round of the regular season where Queensland were defeated 92–3 by the Bulls. This defeat was by the largest margin in Super Rugby history, although the NSW Waratahs had 96 points scored against them in their loss to the Crusaders in 2002.

The 2008 Super 14 season witnessed a mini-resurgence of the Qld Reds, with the youthful side playing exciting and enterprising rugby under new coach Phil Mooney, they gained revenge against the Bulls after the 2007 thrashing by beating them 40–8, in what was the highlight of the season for the Reds. The Reds continued to play exciting rugby for the rest of the season but lost close matches against the Crusaders, Blues, Chiefs and Waratahs, while the side finished 12th they showed plenty of promise and regained some respect.

The 2010 Super 14 showed the real potential of a team that had been on the ropes for the last 6 years. After losing their star back Berrick Barnes to the Waratahs they unearthed the talent they had not noticed like that of Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane and Will Genia. They became the feel–good team of the year becoming the only team to beat both the year's finalists under the new coach, former Waratahs mentor Ewen McKenzie. The highlight of their year was their 19–12 victory over the Bulls in which they played out a fast game to beat a truly world class side. A late injury plague affected the last two games of the season and ultimately a finals spot. Although the Reds missed the finals, they showed good prospects for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

Super Rugby[]

In the debut season of the renamed and revamped Super Rugby competition, the Queensland Reds showed their improvement from the previous few years. The Reds finished the regular season at the top of the table, with 13 wins and 3 losses. In the final, Queensland Reds achieved their first Super Rugby Championship in the professional era, beating the Crusaders (18–13) in front of a record crowd (52,113) at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Following the win the Reds were handed the keys to the city after a ticker-tape parade through Brisbane.^[3]

In January 2015, James Slipper was appointed captain of the Reds, taking over from James Horwill who had previously announced he would be leaving at the end of the Super Rugby season to join the Harlequins club in England. Karmichael Hunt and Rob Simmons were appointed as vice-captains.^[4]

Colours and logos[]

2007 commemorative logo

The teams' home strip traditionally was a maroon jumper with a white collar, navy shorts with maroon socks with white hoops. In more recent years the jumper has become more red in colour with the home playing strip now red jumper (no collar), red shorts and red socks. The jersey is manufactured by KooGa, and the primary shirt sponsor from 2011 St George Bank . Traditionally, the Reds Super Rugby logo as well as the traditional Q logo both appear on the jersey, however for 2007 a commemorative shield was worn instead, which incorporated the QRU's four logos over the past 100 years. The Super Rugby logo and sponsors Tooheys New appear on the sleeves. The alternative jersey is similar, except that it is predominantly white. The Reds' logo is a Koala, a native Australian animal, with Reds written underneath it.

Prior to 1895 the Queensland team wore a variety of jerseys until the red/maroon colour became the Queensland jersey.^[5] In 2007, the Reds used a commemorative jersey in celebration of 125 years of Queensland rugby. This was accompanied by a new logo featuring four Queensland crests from the past.^[6] The 125-year crest featured four sectors: the Northern Rugby Union logo from 1882 (top left), the emblem from 1910 (top right), the 1935 logo (bottom left) and the current koala logo (bottom right).

Awards[]

The Pilecki Medal is awarded to the best Reds player at the end of each season.^[7]

Stadium[]

Suncorp Stadium

The home of the Reds also known as Lang Park

The traditional home of Queensland Rugby is Ballymore, which was built in the late 1960s in Herston. Throughout the Super 12, the Reds played their home matches at that stadium.^[8]

With the expansion of Super 12 to 14 for the 2006 season, the Reds moved to the 52,500-seat Suncorp Stadium; which has been described as an investment in the future of the Queensland Rugby, with easier access and world class facilities.

At the end of the 2006 season they took their last home game to Dairy Farmers Stadium in North Queensland, home of National Rugby League team the North Queensland Cowboys. However, during the Super Rugby off-season, the Reds play a number of friendlies out at Ballymore. In addition the Reds have played pre-season matches on the Gold Coast at Carrara Stadium.

Anthem/Fans[]

In January 2007, the Queensland Reds released a team anthem to be sung by the crowd during matches and after wins. The song was sung in the Queen Street Mall by members of the team including John Roe, Ben Tune, Peter Hynes and Berrick Barnes^{[citation needed]}. The lyrics can be found on the Queensland Reds official website. The Reds also launched new marketing campaigns for 2007 (e.g. "Join the Revolution"/"The Red Army Needs You"); and the fans have since been referred to as "The Red Army". Major sponsor St George Bank sponsor a cheer squad at some games known as the St George Fan Bank.

Rivalries[]

Queenslands most popular rivalries are against the other Australian teams in Super Rugby (Brumbies, Western Force, Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels). The most famous of these rivalries is the interstate clash between the Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs. The match between these two sides usually draws the largest crowd for the Reds when they are hosting the match, which is sometimes (such as in 2006), used as the first game of the season. The Bob Templeton Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the Queensland/New South Wales match.

Former Queensland captain John Eales, prior to the Queensland and New South Wales clash in 2001, quoted former Wallaby Mark Loane to sum up matches against New South Wales, "the most hard fought fights are fighting with your brother in the backyard".^[9] There have been over 270 matches between the two teams, with New South Wales well in the lead with over 170 wins, and Queensland over 80, with 12 drawn.^[9] Since the start of professional Super rugby in 1996, 17 matches have been played, Queensland winning nine, New South Wales seven, and one being drawn.

Region[]

Queensland Reds

Queensland Reds franchise region

The Queensland Reds franchise region is also the name of the team and is located in Brisbane, Queensland. It is the capital and largest city in Queensland. However, players come from all over the state. Talent is mainly produced in the Metropolitan towns and suburbs, such as the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast.

Development teams[]

The QRU owns and manages two National Rugby Championship teams, Brisbane City and Queensland Country. These NRC teams draw on a range of players ranging from full-time professionals to those on incentive contracts. These teams are closely aligned with the Reds and train at Ballymore, the QRU's training base used by the Reds.

Outside of the NRC season, many of these players are retained in the Reds A team, which is Queensland rugby's elite development squad just below full-time professional level. Brisbane City and Queensland Country also field Under 19 teams.

Queensland Reds A[]

The Queensland A team plays matches against interstate and international representative teams, and has also competed in tournaments such as the Pacific Rugby Cup. Known by various names over the years including Queensland A, Reds A, Reds College XV, and Reds Academy, the team is selected from the best emerging rugby talent in Queensland. The squad is a mix of Reds contracted players, extended training squad members, Queensland Under 19s, and selected Premier Rugby club players.^[10]

Under 19[]

Two Queensland teams, Brisbane City U19 and Queensland Country U19, play in the national URC competition. Prior to 2008, state colts teams at under 21 and under 19 age levels were fielded in national tournaments and in the Trans-Tasman Trophy,^[11][12] but these teams were consolidated as under 20s ahead of the inaugural World Rugby U20 Championship. In 2018, an under 19 age limit was reinstated for the national colts team competition.

Members[]

†Only three home matches due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Sponsorship[]

In Super Rugby (to 2014) the Reds have featured the following sponsors:

Records and Achievements[]

Season by season record[]

Competition	Season	Queensland Reds seasons											Top try scorer		Top point scorer
		Pos	Finals	P	W	L	D	F	A	-/+	BP	Pts	Name	Tries	Name	Points
Super 6	1992	1st	–	5	5	0	0
Super 10	1993	4th	–	4	1	3	0				1	5
	1994	1st	Winners	4	3	1	0				1	13
	1995	1st	Winners	4	4	4	0				0	16
Super 12	1996	1st	Semi-finals	11	9	2	0	320	247	73	5	41	Ben Tune	8	John Eales	155
	1997	10th	–	11	4	7	0	263	318	–55	4	20	Jason Little	5	John Eales	120
	1998	5th	–	11	6	4	1	273	229	44	5	31	Tim Horan	6	John Eales	109
	1999	1st	Semi-finals	11	8	2	1	233	170	63	2	36	Daniel Herbert	5		150
	2000	7th	–	11	6	5	0	317	305	12	6	30	Chris Latham	7	Shane Drahm	91
	2001	4th	Semi-finals	11	6	5	0	300	277	33	8	32	Chris Latham	7	Elton Flatley	112
	2002	5th	–	11	7	4	0	336	287	49	6	34	Chris Latham	10	Elton Flatley	148
	2003	8th	–	11	5	6	0	281	318	–37	6	26	Wendell Sailor	4	Elton Flatley	125
	2004	10th	–	11	5	6	0	217	246	–29	5	25	Chris Latham	4	Elton Flatley	65
	2005	10th	–	11	3	8	0	185	282	–97	5	17	Drew Mitchell	4	Julian Huxley	54
Super 14	2006	12th	–	13	4	9	0	240	320	–80	6	22	Berrick Barnes	3	Julian Huxley	52
	2007	14th	–	13	2	11	0	201	438	–237	3	11	John Roe	2	Clinton Schifcofske	98
	2008	12th	–	13	3	9	1	258	323	–65	4	18	John Roe	5	Clinton Schifcofske	96
	2009	13th	–	13	3	10	0	258	380	–122	7	19	Digby Ioane	5	Berrick Barnes	50
	2010	5th	–	13	8	5	0	366	308	58	7	39	Quade Cooper	5	Quade Cooper	171
Super Rugby	2011	1st	Winners	16	13	3	0	429	309	120	6	66	Scott Higginbotham	6	Quade Cooper	228
	2012	3rd	Qualifying final	16	11	5	0	359	347	12	6	58	Dom Shipperley	8	Mike Harris	149
	2013	5th	Qualifying final	16	10	4	2	321	296	25	6	58	Rod Davies	5	Quade Cooper	172
	2014	13th	–	16	5	11	0	374	493	–119	8	28	Lachlan Turner	4	Quade Cooper	120
	2015	13th	–	16	4	12	0	247	434	–187	6	22	Samu Kerevi	6	James O'Connor	44
	2016	15th	–	15	3	11	1	290	458	–168	3	17	Samu Kerevi	5	Jake McIntyre	85
	2017	14th	—	15	4	11	0	321	479	–158	5	21	Eto Nabuli	8	Quade Cooper	74
	2018	13th	—	16	6	10	0	389	501	−112	4	28	Filipo Daugunu	6	Jono Lance	101
	2019	14th	—	16	6	10	0	385	438	−53	4	28	Bryce Hegarty	7	Bryce Hegarty	156
	2020	10th	Cancelled Covid	7	2	5	0	219	176	43	5	13	Tate McDermott	5	Bryce Hegarty	38
Super Rugby AU	2020	2nd	Runners Up	8	5	2	1	215	150	65	3	28	Filipo Daugunu	6	James O'Connor	102
	2021	1st	Winners	8	7	1	0	271	170	101	5	33	Alex Mafi	6	James O'Connor	121
Super Rugby Trans-Tasman	2021	7th	—	5	1	4	0	125	211	−86	1	5	Suliasi Vunivalu	4	James O'Connor	18

Current squad[]

The Queensland Reds squad for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season is:^[22]

Reds Super Rugby squad
Props Feao Fotuaika Harry Hoopert Zane Nonggorr Taniela Tupou Dane Zander Hookers Richie Asiata Alex Mafi Josh Nasser Locks Angus Blyth Lukhan Salakaia-Loto Ryan Smith Tuaina Taii Tualima	Loose forwards Fraser McReight Angus Scott-Young Seru Uru Harry Wilson Liam Wright (c) Scrum-halves Tate McDermott Kalani Thomas Fly-halves Lawson Creighton Tom Lynagh James O'Connor	Centres Josh Flook Isaac Henry Hunter Paisami Jordan Petaia Hamish Stewart Wingers Jock Campbell Filipo Daugunu Ilaisa Droasese Suliasi Vunivalu Fullbacks Mac Grealy
(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, DEV denotes a development squad player, ST denotes a short-term signing, denotes a player ruled out for the season with injury.

Development squad[]

The following players weren't named in the Reds 2022 squad, but were named in the Reds development squad following the full squad announcement.^[23]

• George Blake (Prop)
• Carsen Patu (Prop)
• Wilson Blyth (Lock)
• Lopeti Faifua (Lock)
• Keynan Tauakipulu (Loose forward)
• Taj Annan (Fly-half)
• Floyd Aubrey (Fullback)

Awards[]

Player Award Winner[]

Pilecki Medal (Players' Player) is the award given to the Queensland Reds player of the year for that season. The medal is named after stalwart Queensland prop Stan Pilecki, the first player to represent Queensland in 100 matches.

Australian Super Rugby Player Award Winner[]

• 1998 – John Eales
• 2000 – Chris Latham
• 2003 – Chris Latham
• 2004 – Chris Latham
• 2005 – Chris Latham
• 2010 – Quade Cooper
• 2011 – Will Genia
• 2012 – Will Genia

Australian Super Rugby Coach Award Winner[]

• 1998 – John Connolly
• 1999 – John Connolly
• 2011 – Ewen McKenzie

Australian Super Rugby Rookie of the Year[]

• 1999 – Nathan Sharpe
• 2001 – David Croft
• 2004 – Drew Mitchell
• 2006 – Anthony Mathison
• 2009 – Laurie Weeks

Australian Super Rugby Try of the Year[]

• 1998 – Dan Herbert
• 2001 – Nathan Spooner
• 2009 – Quade Cooper
• 2010 – Quade Cooper
• 2013 – Rod Davies

Notable players[]

Players with 100 or more caps.

Personnel[]

Coaches[]

Captains[]

Honours[]

Professional era[]

• Super Rugby (1996–):
  • Champions (1): 2011
  • Playoff appearances (5): 1996, 1999, 2001, 2012, 2013
• Super Rugby AU (2020–):
  • Champions (1): 2021
  • Runners-up (1): 2020
• Australian Provincial Championship:
  • Runners-up (1): 2006
• Ricoh National Championship:
  • Champions (1): 2000

Amateur era[]

• Super 10:
  • Champions (2): 1994, 1995
• Super 6:
  • Champions (1): 1992

Records and statistics[]

• Highest point scorer in a career – Michael Lynagh (1145 points, 1982-1994)
• Highest point scorer in a season – Quade Cooper (228 points, 2011)
• Highest try scorer in a career – (69 tries, 1978-1987)
• Highest try scorer in a season – (16 tries, 1978 season)
• Highest appearance – Sean Hardman (148, 1999-2010)
• Highest captain – James Horwill (69, 2006-2015)

• Largest victory – Victoria 76-0 (1978)
• Largest defeat – Bulls 3 - 92 (2007)

See also[]

• Brisbane City
• Queensland Country
• Queensland Premier Rugby

Notes[]

Women's team[]

The Queensland Reds Women play in the Super W competition.^[30] The Super W was first played in 2018 and is the top-level 15-a-side competition for women's rugby teams in Australia.

On 4 June 2021, the squad for the was announced.^[31]

Season standings[]

Super W

Year	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	BP	Pts	Play-offs
2018	2nd	4	3	0	1	134	53	+81	2	14	Lost to Waratahs in final
2019	2nd	4	3	0	1	164	18	+146	3	15	Lost to Waratahs in final
	2nd	4	3	0	1	218	33	+185	3	15	Play-offs cancelled COVID-19
	1st	3	2	0	1	97	64	+33	2	10	Lost to Waratahs in final

References[]

External links[]

• Official website

Preceded by Bulls

Super Rugby Champions 2011 (First title)

Succeeded by Chiefs