Richard Graham

The Reds have announced the extension of Richard Graham as head coach for the 2016 Super Rugby season.

Graham will work under a new high performance structure that will see him report into an Executive General Manager.

This newly created structure, outlined as the main recommendation from the recent Reds High Performance Review, sees the appointment of former World Cup-winning Wallabies centre Daniel Herbert, a 124-capped Queensland Red, to this Executive General Manager’s role.

QRU Chairman Rod McCall said, “The recent Reds High Performance Review made clear recommendations around the structure of our organisation. We feel the appointment of our 1st Executive General Manger to oversee our Performance Rugby Department will bring us into line with best practice and allow us every opportunity for success.

“On the back of further recommendations from the review, QRU ran an open and thorough process for the roles of head coach and also attack and defence coaches. The Coaching Review Panel considered over 20 coaching applications from the local and international rugby markets.

“We fully understand that the results of the Reds over the last 2 seasons have been unacceptable, however we feel strongly that Richard is the right man to lead us into the 2016 season under this new structure.”

Graham will also be the Reds Defence Coach in 2016 and the QRU will finalise its search for an attack coach in advance of the 2016 Super Rugby season.

Graham said, “I am humbled by the opportunity to coach this team again in 2016. As a squad we will not tolerate any excuses that compromise our preparations or performance in order to achieve success in 2016.”

QRU CEO Jim Carmichael added, “In the review, an important insight was the need for us to implement an optimum high performance structure that is also aligned to our wider organisational plans. To that end, Daniel Herbert is an outstanding appointment as he not only has all the football related experience and skill sets but he has also been a successful senior QRU executive, possessing wide-ranging corporate knowledge and a complete understanding of our objectives for the next 5 years for the Reds and Queensland Rugby.”

Former Reds and Wallabies scrumhalf Sam Cordingley will also support Herbert as the Head of Pathways and List Management.

The announcements follow on from other recent appointments in the High Performance staff including the appointment of Brad Thorn as Reds Elite Development Squad Forwards Coach, Damian Marsh as Head of Athletic Performance, the re-signing of Nick Stiles as Senior Assistant Coach and Cameron Lillicrap returning as Head Physiotherapist.