Super Rugby
Graham still has Reds' support: Genia
May 11, 2015
Richard Graham is under the pump to turn the Reds season around © Getty Images
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Embattled Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham still has the support of his players, halfback Will Genia insists. As the Super Rugby strugglers reel from Friday's embarrassing 58-17 capitulation to the Crusaders, Graham's grasp on the playing group has been questioned and his future has come under intense scrutiny. The Reds have moved to support Graham with the appointment of John Connolly as a coaching consultant until the end of next season.

Genia dismissed suggestions Graham has lost the players and says Friday's loss was not down to a lack of effort from the Reds.

Crusaders 58-17 Reds (video available in Australia only)
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"It wasn't through lack of effort or lack of trying," he said. "At the end of the day, they [the Crusaders] came out and played very well in the second half. The boys were pretty embarrassed and ashamed of the result. We conceded a few soft tries and we can fix those sort of things. I guess attitude's one thing you can really only judge on work ethic and while the result was pretty poor, I wouldn't question guys' work ethic."

Genia, who will depart for French club Stade Francais after the World Cup, said he was supportive of the move to bring in Connolly as a mentor to Graham. Asked if Graham, who is out of contract at the end of the season, should remain as coach next year, Genia said: "To be honest, I probably don't have too much of an opinion on that.

"And not because I'm not going to be here next year, but just because I'm more focused on playing well this week for the side and the team playing well, so we can get a couple of wins. Those sorts of things are more often than not out of the players' hands anyway."

The Reds have also reportedly appointed former All Black and Queensland State of Origin star Brad Thorn as a specialist forwards coach. Genia said he only met Connolly for the first time on Monday morning but instantly felt his "presence".

"He has that command of respect and authority," he said. "You hear all the stories, he was around when Queensland were obviously successful so I think he'll be a good person to have around. It's obviously something that the organisation felt was necessary. As someone who's a very proud member of the organisation I choose whatever they choose to do."

© AAP

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