Dual international Brad Thorn has been added to the Queensland Reds coaching staff for the remainder of the Super Rugby campaign.
The former NRL star and ex-All Black, a 2011 World Cup winner, has been at Ballymore since late last year when he was appointed forwards coach for the Reds’ development squad.
Thorn played a leading role in the Reds under-20s winning the inaugural Super U20 championship earlier this month.
He’ll now combine his development squad responsibilities with the new role assisting interim co-coaches Nick Stiles and Matt O’Connor.
“I’ve really enjoyed the ability to have a virtual apprenticeship with the under-20s and the Reds have been very understanding since I arrived at Ballymore,” Thorn said.
“I now feel I can use my experience to assist this Reds program.”
Thorn will spend the next two weeks coaching squad members who haven’t travelled to South Africa, where the Reds are preparing for away games against the Bulls and Stormers.
He will then link up with Stiles and O’Connor when the main squad returns from Africa.
taylorman
Roar Guru
A coaches certificate maybe?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Gibson wasn't that great a player but good if you to think so.
Lroy
Guest
Former Kangaroo, former All Black..former state of origin and premiership player for the Broncos... Whats not to get excited about?? are some of you people nuts??? what better pedigree does the guy need to have??
john
Roar Rookie
Not all great players make good coaches.Styles has proven himself with the Reds and Brisbane in NRC to be a world class forwards coach he also had many years as a Wallaby and Reds player. Great to have Thorn in the system but let us not jump the gun.
Dave_S
Guest
Looks an interesting prospect, this from the CM: "IT IS perhaps the ultimate tick of approval that Brad Thorn can see signs of himself in burgeoning Reds prospect Lukhan Tui. Just as the cross-code legend was a New Zealand-born rugby league convert when he turned his hand to rugby union in 2001, Tui was born in Auckland before he plied his trade in the 13-man game in NSW. The Reds Under 20s star also boasts the silky ball handling skills Thorn mastered over his 21 year career and his 198cm, 121kg frame sheds would-be defenders with ease." No coaching experience, tho :)
Dave_S
Guest
Haha, very good
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Luhkan Tui on the bench this weekend.
buster
Guest
Be interesting to see if some of those U20's champions find their way to the REDS super squad , even if just to gain experience . If so, the right man will be there to help them along. And, to keep them away from rugby league, hopefully.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
No Tatts Dave S - rumour has it he tried to get one but the needle couldn't puncture Thorns skin.
ClarkeG
Guest
James - He is a very new coach. His limited coaching experience is fact unless there is experience I am unaware of. In Australia you don't have first XV school rugby, club rugby? The answer to your question re NZ. Yes maybe.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not really. For example before Nick Stiles was coaching at Super Rugby coaching he had years of experience as a Premier Grade Head Coach.
ClarkeG
Guest
I'm just an interested observer. There is much emphasis being placed on his playing career which only the misinformed would sneeze at. But the fact is in terms of coaching experience he has certainly not gone through the ranks as you put it. In years to come Thorn may progress through the ranks to become a successful coach or assistant coach but that does not change the fact that at this point in time he has virtually no coaching experience.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I would bet he has a fraction of most new assistant coaches in Super rugby. Doesn't he need to bother with the NRC? Or going to Europe or Japan like so many others?
jameswm
Roar Guru
He's an assistant coach, Not a head coach. The other point is this - he's not a new coach. Every coach coming into Super rugby or above for the first time is a rookie. In Australia, the only things we have lower are underage state teams and NRC. He has come from one of these. we don't have the NZ pathway. Where exactly would Qld find a better qualified assistant coach to come into Super rugby? In NZ?
ClarkeG
Guest
Yes Dave me too. Some people simply don't enjoy their posts being questioned.
jcr
Roar Rookie
I remember a number of comments from Canterbury and All Black players attributing a portion of their achievements to what they learnt from from Thorn's approach to training , rehab and his mental conditioning in relation to the above as well as team , playing mentality and ethics . He was seen periodically at the gym hours after a test . I don't know his formal coaching ability but I would suggest that in terms of a culture coach( that's a really naf term) he has vast experience and success . I would think unless be believed in what he's doing in relation and what he can bring to Queensland rugby , he wouldn't do it . He was never a journeyman .
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Short sighted to say there's no reason to get excited about the appointment of a coach who has zero coaching record? I'd say it's short sighted to get excited about a coach with zero coaching record just because of his playing career.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Zero Gain what's worst is the attempt to appeal popularly rather than to take a step which would actually improve the team.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yeah, agreed. This appointment is probably just another sign of the management incompetence at the Reds. Need a great coach: Sign a great former player. Huh?
RobC
Roar Guru
And winning it, undefeated Clarke? ;) Only tickling your ribs there. Yes, he certainly hasnt gone through the ranks has he? So we shall see