Dual international Brad Thorn has signed a three-year coaching deal with the Queensland Reds but will not be considered as a replacement for embattled head coach Richard Graham.
Heading a raft of changes to the last-placed Super Rugby outfit’s coaching structure, the former All Blacks lock will join the club next season as a forwards development coach.
Due to his “unique skillset and successful playing history”, the Reds say Thorn’s scope will be much broader and they’ll lean on his advice in other areas.
But the Reds have ruled out Thorn as an option to replace Graham, who faces the sack unless the team shows dramatic improvement across their last five games.
Thorn wants to move into senior coaching and while his incredible achievements and remarkable longevity across two codes suggests he is a viable long-term option, Queensland will not consider him for the top job until he has more experience under his belt.
The 40-year-old is still playing professional rugby with English side Leicester Tigers but will retire at the end of the season to return to Brisbane, where he began his career in the NRL with the Broncos.
“I am very excited about becoming involved with the Reds and am grateful for the chance to continue my involvement in rugby,” said Thorn, who also represented the Kangaroos and Queensland at State of Origin level.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of working with the boys and sharing what I have learnt over the years.
“My family and I are excited about moving back to Brisbane and starting this next chapter in our lives.”
Thorn’s appointment follows that of former Wallabies coach John Connolly, who will serve as a coaching consultant to Graham for the rest of the season.
In another coup, former Reds conditioning coach Damien Marsh – a key pillar of Queensland’s 2011 Super Rugby championship campaign – will return to the franchise next year.
Marsh has spent the past two seasons with the ACT Brumbies.
Queensland has also re-signed forwards coach Nick Stiles for a further three years as a senior assistant.
“As I have said previously, we have been conducting a review of our high performance area for some time, which is continuing, in order to deliver our short and long-term outcomes,” Queensland rugby union chief executive Jim Carmichael said.
“We’ve identified areas that require strengthening to provide the team with the appropriate support and structures moving forward.”
However, the Reds are resigned to losing attack coach Steve Meehan, who has reportedly signed a two-year deal to join the staff of European giants Toulon.
kelefua
Guest
Thorn's presence will hopefully drive the Reds players to greener pastures.. or is it sandy aka Suncorp;) How can any player from both codes not be inspired with this guy in the setup. As often said great playerd don't necessarily make good coaches. But I think he will add value to the Red. Not to mention he loves it in QLD. Win win for both parties.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Vince. Another lock great, Garrick Morgan is also a coach. I wonder how he's doing?
Not Bothered
Guest
Thats not an improvement.
bill
Guest
I think it is Damien Marsh. Shaun Marsh is a cricketer.
Brett McKay
Expert
Ha, I like that! Well played..
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Toulon must be mad
Buk
Guest
Brett there is a lot to be said in favour of borderline lunacy for Reds fans at the present. By the end of the season we might only be able to be consoled with outright lunacy.
Buk
Guest
Currently I am grasping for any sliver of hope I can find, regardless of it being rational or not :)
QldFan
Guest
What the hell is going on with this web site. I made a post earlier and wanted to edit it. The post had disappeared, so I posted the one above this. When I went to edit that post, all I got was the Bret article several times over! Just wondering what will happen to this post
QldFan
Guest
When it was first announced that Thorn was joining the Reds it was, as Bret said, as development coach, so I don't know what all the fuss and conjecture is about him doing anything other than that I had to smile when I read the report about the Reds team on their web site. RG made it sound as though this weeks team was all his idea. I'd bet $10 to a pinch of something smelly that Knuckles had a whole heap of input. Still uncertain about Hunt tho', Hope he proves me wrong.
QldFan
Guest
Harry, and everyone else. When it was first announced that Thorn was joining the Reds it was - - - as development coach, so I don't know what everyone is getting hot under the collar about.
Harry
Guest
So with Knuckles, Thorn, Styles and Marsh all on board all the Reds need for next year is a backs/attack coach and they have a good coaching setup under Knuckles umbrella. Just show RG the door. Lets get some pride and performance back in the Queensland rugby union jersey.
Harry
Guest
LOL - good luck Jake McIntyre and pleased to see another great flyhalf prospect, Sam Greene, on the bench. Hunt at 13 is an indulgence but what the heck, he still might come good. Pleased to see Kerevi at 12. Bit alarmed to see Slipper backing up after looking injured last week, and starting - fear he is carrying injuries and needs a spell, but is being flogged by Graham. I actually want the Rebels to win on Friday, but good luck to the debutants. I see Ed O'Donohue is on the bench as well!
Harry
Guest
C'mon Brett don't deflate us Reds fans after what we've had to cop in the last 2 years. With this one move its obvious that Thorn will will lead us to glory in 2016 and beyond! (of course you are right)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Probably because he won the NRC with an average squad, and has dramatically improved the Reds set piece in his role as forwards coach. He's done reasonably well with what he has been in charge of. The weaknesses have been attack and defense. Neither his responsibility.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yes Marsh was.
Hoy
Roar Guru
At the very least, as Dubai and Taylorman say, if nothing else, he should be utilised for his fitness training. I note Shaun Marsh is back as the fitness bloke at the Reds? He was there for the winning years wasn't he? They could do with better fitness I think.
Combesy
Guest
Bugger me! Richard graham has finally picked a reasonable 10. Hunt at 13 An actual flyhalf play 10 Kerevi at 12 And JOC at 15. He's just been playing with us... Right?
YIBBIDA
Guest
Why would you sign that muppet Stiles for a further 3 years?? blokes deadset useless...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Hopefully he is an assistant with Qld Country. Can't see any merit in him working under Stiles at NRC level too. I'm extremely interested to see what happens with Sean Hedger. Left the Rebels attack coach and Rising Head Coach position to take up a role with Bond Uni in Premier Grade. Bond Uni are a large sponsor of QLD Country NRC team so I'm interested to see if he's involved. I certainly think that Meehan won't be with him going to Toulon. Now if Hedger is involved here, is there a progression to the Reds?