Graham starts at Reds under McKenzie

Updated September 19, 2012 21:28:59

New Queensland Reds head coach Richard Graham has admitted he's unsure how the club's coaching arrangements will work in 2013.

The former Western Force mentor has officially started in his new role as Reds head coach but he will be second in charge at Ballymore under incumbent Ewen McKenzie.

Under a European-style coaching model McKenzie is director of coaching and in charge of the rugby program.

Graham said they're taking a collaborative approach, but he doesn't know who will be in charge on game day. 

"Those are things that going forward we'll have discussions about but I'd expect that on game day we'd continue with where things finished off at the end of last season,” he said.

“Ewen's the boss of the rugby program but certainly from a football point of view, that's the area I'll be focussing heavily on."  

McKenzie is seen as Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' obvious successor after claiming the 2011 Super Rugby title and the move to appoint Graham has allowed the Reds a less troublesome transition if there is a change at the top.

A full-back and winger for Queensland more than a decade ago, Graham's return to Ballymore comes after 10 years coaching around the world with Bath, Saracens, the Wallabies as skills coach, and the Force.

He announced his move home almost six months ago and was subsequently axed by the Force, who saw the season out with Phil Blake as interim coach before the appointment of Michael Foley for 2013.

Graham says he will adopt the role of defence coach from Scotland-bound Matt Taylor and combine with McKenzie in devising the Reds strategy and selections.

He will take the reins if McKenzie usurps Deans as Wallabies coach in the next year but is already scheduled to be the main man for the 2014 season when McKenzie is slated to become Queensland's director of rugby.

"Queensland are in a fortunate position to transition when they choose to transition," Graham said.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted September 19, 2012 14:56:04

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Force part company with Graham

Updated April 20, 2012 20:55:33

Player power has resulted in the Western Force parting ways with coach Richard Graham, with a three-pronged team to take the reins for the remainder of the Super Rugby season.

Graham was initially slated to see out the season with the Force despite announcing earlier in the week he would join the Queensland Reds as head coach from next year.

A number of Force players were unhappy with the situation, and put pressure on the board to cut ties with Graham before next week's home clash with the Stormers.

Graham conducted a training session on Friday morning but, just hours later, was told his services were no longer required.

Force defence coach and former rugby league star Phil Blake, who is also skills coach at the Wallabies, will join Nick Stiles and Andrew Scotney on a "coaching panel" for the rest of the season.

Captain David Pocock and club stalwart Nathan Sharpe will also provide "additional resources", according to a Force statement.

The dramatic development only adds to the Force's woes in what has become a forgettable season.

With eight games remaining, the Force sit last in the Australian conference with just two wins from eight matches.

Force chief executive Vern Reid paid tribute to Graham's contribution to the franchise after taking over from New Zealander John Mitchell at the end of 2010.

"Richard has given a lot of himself to the Western Force and rugby in WA and, for that, we are grateful," Reid said.

"The ruling by the board was an eventuality he was prepared for off the back of his announcement earlier in the week.

"We acknowledge his effort and we will part amicably."

The Force's major challenge now is to hang on to out-of-contract flanker Pocock.

While Pocock has enjoyed his time in Perth, it remains to be seen whether the latest dramas surrounding the franchise will influence his decision on where his future will be best served.

Graham shocked the Force earlier this week when he announced he would be linking up with the Reds on a three-year deal.

Current Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie will become the Reds' coaching director, and will play a pivotal role in helping Graham adjust to his new role.

The Force statement said more than 30 applicants have already put their names forward to become the new head coach next season.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, perth-6000, wa, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted April 20, 2012 17:47:56

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Bekker and Graham at each other's throats

Published:Saturday, May 14, 2011 7:16 AEST

Andries Bekker of the Stormers contests with Romana Graham of the Chiefs during the round 13 Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Stormers at Waikato Stadium on May 14, 2011 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, new-zealand, south-africa

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