Christchurch holds precious memories for Brad Thorn but his latest visit has ended in irritation after the Queensland Reds suffered another Super Rugby second-half fade.
Thorn was a mixture of pride and exasperation following the 24-20 loss on Friday, scoring four tries to three against the three-time defending champions but losing primarily because they failed to land a kick at goal.
Former Crusaders star Thorn wasn’t blaming anyone following a wholehearted Reds display that warranted more than a fifth defeat from six games this season.
Despite some very promising work, especially from the pack, Thorn said he’d had enough of squandering good positions.
They’ve led at halftime in four games this year but gone on to win one of them. In Christchurch they were 10-10 at the break but couldn’t push on.
“We’ve had enough of the noble defeats,” Thorn said.
“These lads have been working hard and they don’t want to be participators and neither do I.
“I don’t want to be all happy…. there’s only so long you can do that.
“We came here to win and that didn’t happen but respect to the Crusaders. I love the joint and you’ve seen what they’ve been doing the last 2-3 years.”
It was a first match as a coach in Christchurch for Thorn, who played eight seasons of Super Rugby for the perennial powerhouses, bagging two titles.
“The place means a heck of a lot to me… (but) I’d like to think the people who came and supported the Crusaders today have a real respect for what’s going on in Queensland.”
Thorn made special mention of No.8 Harry Wilson, whose rookie season went to another level.
The former Junior Wallaby scored a try, produced two clean breaks and four offloads and ran for 75m.
“I talked about Jordan Petaia a year ago, well Harry’s just turned 20 years old and you’re going to see a lot of him and a lot of these guys in years to come.”
Queensland have a good shot at a second win next week, hosting a Bulls side who are the only team yet to win a game.
Bobbles
Guest
Except the Reds in 2011.Thorn still fears them.
Reedy
Guest
Apologies Forget the other 4. You could rely on these 2 Flatley Matt Burke
Reedy
Guest
Giteau Flatley Matt Burke Forget the other 3. You could rely on these 3.
Azza
Guest
You must have missed the game.Crusaders were so poor but they still beat the Reds. That is how bad we are going at the moment. 4 tries to 3 and still lost by 4.
Locky
Guest
I can picture the big lummox eating his lunch and grunting. If anyone has ever seen that movie Stir Crazy with that Grossburger character you`d know what i mean. :laughing:
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Brad will not shed a tear; his favourite team had a win.
soapit
Roar Guru
I just rarely see CFS making more out of an opportunity beyond what is laid on for him. If he's through and one on one with a defender I feel like I regularly see him not come close to beating the defender. He doesn't make many mistakes and is strong and fast enough to contribute a little but that's about it for the positives for me
Machiavelli
Guest
Beale used his get out of jail free card.
Machiavelli
Guest
Good teams win close games.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah? I quite like CFS actually, as a Kerevi-lite in attack and pretty sensible in defence. Different strokes, as they say. I don’t see Hegarty being very effective on the wing, I reckon he has to be 15, 10 or not starting. Handy 23 ofc.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Thorn promised so much and has delivered nothing but excuses and broken careers. Stiles didn’t even get a decent chance. No one made excuses for him the way you constantly make excuses for Thorn. Let’s analyse the importance of GPS rugby compared to Thorn. Without the GPS competition rugby will be completely dead in Queensland within a few years. Without Thorn, rugby in Queensland be better off. I think we all know whose massive ego is on display in this sad and sorry phase in Reds rugby. Is it the egos of the people that coach and develop children’s rugby, largely pro bono, or is it the ego of the ‘no second chances under my reign’ ‘legend’?
soapit
Roar Guru
well it kinda is shoehorning finding a spot for a player for goalkicking when you wouldnt have him otherwise. anyway its just a word, point is id be leavinh campbell at 15 as he's one thing that is clearly working well and finding a spot for hegarty somewhere where youre not moving someone doing so well.
soapit
Roar Guru
mate i dont rate cfs too much so am always thinking he shouldnt be there but as above id trying hard to not change anything about the way campbell is going, goal kicking aside. id be leaving him there as a priority so that may be hegarty or dags to wing (im sure someone said he can kick)
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Report this morning that Paisami is out injured for a month. That forces one possible ‘solution’ on us: CFS to 13, Hegarty to 15 and Jock to wing.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
"Your derogatory characterisation of GPS football involvement puts your mindset on perfect display." No it doesn't, it puts the facts that the previous two GPS educated coaches were worse than the bloke you describe as a "complete and utter failure" on display. Perhaps that highlights the real source of antagonism, bruised egos.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
That’s funny Train, but as I wrote elsewhere, I suspect that there are attack stats that showing marked improvement this season.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Noted Peter, but with young players in such a pressure position, who can know without seeing seasons of scenarios?
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Bosley, those Queenslanders are very successful people outside of rugby. Thorn has absolutely nothing on his resume except his playing history. And it is pretty obvious his communication skills are rudimentary. Talk to a few people who know him and aren’t fan boys and they will give you an honest appraisal if his communication style and his apparent level of intelligence. Your derogatory characterisation of GPS football involvement puts your mindset on perfect display. The ‘dumb Kiwi’ is a complete and utter failure and is driving our best players away from the State. Your pathetic defence of him in the face of repeated and clear evidence is embarrassing.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
He was always a 12, Fionn, that was needed elsewhere.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Don’t think it’s quite shoehorning him in. The Reds are lacking someone, anyone, with a kicking game in the team, both in terms of goal kicking and tactical kicking. Hegarty could handle the exits and goal kicking.