Reds axe Graham

Reds coach Richard Graham has been sacked following back-to-back defeats this season.

Graham, who took over from Ewan McKenzie as Reds boss, will be replaced by interim co-coaches Matt O’Connor and Nick Stiles while the Queensland Rugby Union will commence a worldwide process to appoint a coach for the 2017 season. 

Despite an abysmal campaign last year, Graham was controversially reappointed and came into the new season with a 28% winning record. However, defeats to the Waratahs and Force in the first two weeks of the tournament saw the board terminate his contract.

Graham says he has accepted the board's decision and wish the new coaches nothing but the best.

'I’m naturally disappointed. I loved my role with the Reds and enjoyed my time with the QRU. I am in a high-performance environment and the results haven’t been to a satisfactory standard. I have to accept that and move on. I wish everybody the best and want to formally thank the competent and dedicated support staff I have worked with over the last three years for their tireless efforts.'

Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

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Mariette Adams