Brad Thorn says he’s never had an argument with Izack Rodda, denying reports of a rift that apparently drove the Wallabies lock away from the Queensland Reds along with two teammates.
Rodda, Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas refused to agree to Super Rugby-wide pay cuts and, after being stood down last Monday, are now free agents after their Rugby Australia contracts were terminated on Saturday.
Rodda, 23, had been overlooked for the Reds captaincy this season and was said to be at odds with Thorn hence seeking a move to a rival Australian club.
But Thorn said the suggestion a soured relationship was behind the move irked him, maintaining they were on good terms.
“I spoke to Izack, he came around to my house on Saturday,” Thorn told Triple M.
“It’s been hard for me. I’ve seen in the media that (our relationship) is irreparable and we don’t get on.
“I’ve never had a problem with Izack and we’ve never had an argument.
“He … wanted to make it clear that stuff that was out there is not how he feels.
“These are the things that are frustrating.”
Rodda played for the Reds the day after the death of his father last year and even packed down next to Thorn in the second-tier NRC.
“With Izack, he’s a guy you care about a lot,” Thorn said.
“He’s come here from a young age and I even played next to him for a couple of games.
“He lost his father, I lost my dad at 19. We’ve had a lot of personal chats.”
Rodda and livewire back Lucas were contracted until 2023 while emerging lock Hockings was off contract but in the Wallabies’ future plans.
All three are managed by player-agent Anthony Picone, who last year engineered Reds captain Samu Kerevi’s move to Japanese rugby.
Thorn said he approached all three players to attempt to understand their position.
“I was like, ‘I don’t want you to go. What is doing? Do not do this. We care about you and you’ve been part of this thing. This isn’t the right way of doing stuff’.
“I know a few others spoke to them as well. They’re young men and they have to make decisions. You haven’t really heard from the three lads, so that’s something for them to think about.”
Morsie
Guest
Really? I count Picone as a common denominator.
Guess
Roar Rookie
That picone dude is double agent working on Japan
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I have suspected this from the beginning of this saga. Another angle on this little story is that the agent foresees a much darker future for Australian rugby than most others.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Fair call Ruckin, I was only talking in the context of this article, which appears to be a very limited excerpt from a much broader discussion. But that probably just goes to show that mostly I should just keep my uninformed trap shut.
Charlie Turner
Guest
:thumbup:
Charlie Turner
Guest
It's an interesting proposition that's for sure.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
I'm hoping QR tells Brad he doesn't fit in with future plans. Maybe Twiggy has some spare $ and wants Rodda for the Force.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Do you think he grunted 'Cooper's contract stuff sucks' ?
ScottD
Roar Guru
I've heard from a reliable source that all three will turn out for the Western Force in the 2020 Australian SR tournament. Mind you, the source was me so it might not be accurate.
Charlie Turner
Guest
Thorn uses "stuff" to describe everything from rucks and mauls to contracts and pandemics. It's his "go to" word, second only to "sucks".
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
In the audio Thorn says that they've had a lot of personal chats, the latest one was before the Crusaders game. That was what couple of months ago.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Wasn't Scott Johnson named as being aware of the rift between Thorn and Rodda and being quoted as saying " "Do I know there was maybe an issue? Yes, but go and sort it out." When it comes to Australian Rugby I'm kinda hoping that Johnson is more than a dubious source.
Warwick Todd
Guest
Gee that was hard to listen to between Dobbo's sycophantic gushing and Thorns mouth breathing mumbling. Proud Queenslander....what a load of rubbish, Thorn forfeited that right when he knocked back the QRU offer in 2008 and left to play for NZ. We're still left with one side of three stories. So Dobbo heard there was a rift from sources close to Rodda then heard there wasn't a rift from his own trainer then Thorn said they're sweet. Let's see how this plays out. Hopefully he gets the bum's rush at the end of his contract and moves back to Mosgiel.
Double Agent
Guest
I find it hard to believe that anybody playing for any team at all would quit because he wasn't made captain.
Brett McKay
Expert
Reckon you might just take the L, Bobby..
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
I wonder if Brad said that in his job interview. That's not what he said to the press. Rodda doesn't want his next employer to think he is difficult to deal with.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yep he (Rodda) had already made up his mind to leave. What's the point of rehashing old issues in that situation
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Brett, How do YOU know they are ! Just because he says certain things doesn't mean he hasn't been prepped by the Media team. THATS how it works
Bobby
Roar Rookie
No
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Brett, You are the font of all knowledge :))