Ewen McKenzie
Rugby
Big game hunting takes on new meaning for Reds' adventure in Africa
Ewen McKenzie In theory, the Reds are about to embark upon their most ''stable'' period of this year's Super Rugby tournament in the sense that we are preparing to play three South African teams in a row.
Rugby
Quitting the Reds and chasing the Wallabies job - it's all about the timing
Ewen McKenzie We're two days on and what does the rugby landscape in Australia look like? Much the same as it was before. Everyone is still coaching and trying to get their teams into the best position for success.
Ewen McKenzie
Another pina colada thanks, but we're drinking to a fine vintage for Reds
Ewen McKenzie So I am led to believe that we are going to be ''hunted" this year. The Queensland Reds are going to be targeted, while also being so riddled with complacency and the good life that they are...
Ewen McKenzie
Reds will handle both the truth and perceptions
Ewen McKenzie The power of perception in rugby is massive. It's so powerful that as a coach you need to deal with perception as if it is reality.
Ewen McKenzie
Heavy loss will only galvanise Reds
Ewen McKenzie Well I wasn't expecting to be writing about a 60-point loss this week but it does give me an opportunity to put into words a completely new experience in my coaching or playing career.
Ewen McKenzie
Familiarity breeds content for Reds
Ewen McKenzie Success has a thousand fathers and failure is an orphan. Never have truer words been uttered as cumulative losses build an intensity and focus on our 2012 campaign.
Ewen McKenzie
Queensland coaching move doesn't mean it's all change at the Reds
Ewen McKenzie There has been a lot of speculation about the Queensland Reds coaching structure for next year and beyond, so it would be remiss of me not to at least clarify a few key points.
Rugby
Ghosts of '92 stalk Newlands
Ewen McKenzie Table Top Mountain is a prominent landmark that dominates life here in Cape Town. It's so damn big that the locals will never have to worry about finding a house with mountain views as you can't help...
Rugby
Super Rugby, the game they play in transit lounges
Ewen McKenzie One of the more important but often unseen aspects of Super Rugby is the amount of pure logistics involved.
Rugby
Smith situation leaves ARU facing tough questions
Ewen McKenzie The topic of George Smith playing against the Lions in June has dominated the news for some time. I think George is a freakish player who has stood the test of time.
Ewen McKenzie
Playing such a tough game we have to touch and engage
Ewen McKenzie To positively influence performance, it's important to recognise the contribution made by individuals to the team on and off the field.
Rugby
Waratahs want to run? We've been doing it for years
Ewen McKenzie The bye week has finally come around for the Reds and we'll use it as a chance to gain some well-earned rest but also as an opportunity to reflect and look around.
Rugby
Joys of turning poison chalice into silverware
Ewen McKenzie Coaching is a constant roller-coaster ride, so there is plenty to be thankful for when I click over the 121-game mark as a head coach-director of coaching in Super Rugby this weekend.
Ewen McKenzie
It's question time but the answers could be a way off
Ewen McKenzie We are three rounds into the competition, which means we've hit the time of the season where questions are asked of everyone and everything. Nothing is immune to scrutiny.
McKenzie
Variety can be a curse or a curve ball when it comes to selection
Ewen McKenzie There are a lot of factors that go into selecting a team and they are not always empirical or scientifically based.
Rugby
Folau in front seat on one fickle rollercoaster
Ewen McKenzie Seven days is a long time in rugby and a lot can happen to turn around a team's performance. It's even longer in the world of the media and there are two stories which have stuck in my mind from the...
Ewen McKenzie
Reputations on the line and emotions again at fever pitch for battle between old foes
Ewen McKenzie In 1882, a Queensland team first took on NSW in a two-match rugby union series before the Queensland Rugby Union was officially formed at Brisbane's Exchange Hotel on November 2, 1883.
Criticism of Queensland's culture was well wide of the mark
Ewen McKenzie One thing I've learnt coaching is that every decision you make is never 100 per cent right or wrong, but the worst thing you can do is be guilty of not making a decision or having no opinion at all.
There's only one set of stats that count at the end, the scoreline
Ewen McKenzie The importance of a fast start was never more prominent than in the Super Rugby qualifying finals last weekend.
Ewen McKenzie
Dealing with disrupted preparations a tough balancing act
Ewen McKenzie The Super Rugby competition returns after its first mid-season hibernation and its impact remains to be seen.
