I remember interviews with Brad Thorn in his early coaching career with Queensland, where it struck me that he referred to his players as “men”.
It reminded me of the first time that I was called a man in my work, in the army as an 18-year-old recruit. Being referred to as men or women immediately imparted upon all the young people undergoing army training, that our job was important and that we had responsibility.
A large part of the job of a professional rugby player is to entertain, but professional rugby players are also representatives of their communities and are often held up as examples to children who idolise them. That means that their job is also important and therefore there are high expectations that they treat it seriously.
That Brad Thorn addressed his players as men from the beginning of his coaching career clearly indicated that he was going to insist that his players meet those expectations.
From the enthusiasm of the crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, where I joined 15,000 other Queensland rugby supporters to watch the Reds beat the Rebels and earn their spot in the Grand Final, it was quite clear to me that the Reds had done just that.
I could write about the spectacular action that unfolded in front of me, but you all saw that on television.
I would rather relate something that happened off camera in the 78th minute, when the Reds were on the cusp of winning the game. Winger Filipe Daugunu had just made a break and had tried to offload to lock, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto for his second try of the game, but the latter didn’t quite have the gas to run onto the flat ball and it went over the side line.
Salakaia-Loto had had the sort of game we have come to expect of him, repeatedly trucking the ball into the Rebels at surprising speed for a 198cm tall and 123kg behemoth who also has to do the hard work of scrummaging. So being too out of gas right at the end of the game to run onto that pass, was entirely understandable.
Yet it wasn’t good enough for Salakaia-Loto, who walked up to Daugunu, clearly apologising for his error, with Daugunu gesturing what looked like a “don’t worry about it” to his teammate.
The man in front of me and I laughed, the other bloke saying “I think he’s done well to keep going that long for a big fella”.
To me Salakaia-Loto’s humble act epitomised the standards that Thorn has nurtured in these Reds players. This has gotten them through a hard-fought season and earned them their chance to be the Super Rugby AU champions.
Brad Thorn has copped some criticism, but the Reds look a better side in 2018 (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
All of the Reds deserve a mention, but there isn’t the space so here are a couple who have represented the Reds’ spirit brilliantly. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who previously struggled with his lineout throwing after losing his experienced caller, hit nine from nine this game.
Who would ever have doubted that the garbage collector who decided with his Brumbies mate to bust a gut and be his best was ever not going to fix his throw and fight his way back into the Wallabies?
James O’Connor. His story of redemption has been a hell of a yarn for those of us who like to write and read about rugby, and it has made him the face of Reds and RA marketing for much of this season.
On top of mastering the most complex position in the team, the extra attention must have carried a massive weight of expectation, and you could see the strain on O’Connors face at times. Yet he kept working and has gained an impressive mastery of the playmaking role. It is fantastic to finally watch O’Connor making full use of his talents.
Finally, our Captain Liam Wright has led the Reds from the front through a turbulent year both on and off the field with maturity beyond his years. He has bought his team to the final and has shown himself to be the best emerging leader in Australian rugby, bar none.
Tens of thousands of Queensland rugby supporters will be glued to our screens next Saturday, willing-on the Reds against the Brumbies to take the title in Canberra. But from the warmth I saw from supporters towards these Reds as they did their victory lap to a standing ovation on Saturday night, those supporters will consider the Reds duty to play well for us to have been met.
Men, you have more than earned the right to enjoy your experience and play this game for each other and for yourselves, because Queensland is already very proud of you.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
That's right Bobby, inexperience was the biggest factor in the end. But that will change.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Well JD, i thought your post was worrh revisiting. Reds may have been young, tired and had winning momentum BUT they just weren't good enough (on the day):)
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Rebels other wing was pretty poor on the night. He stuck out in the bad kind of way.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Thanks Harty. Jim McKay has completed the picture at the Reds with his attack skills, but Thorn had established the strategy to build the team and culture from youth, before McKay arrived. Layed the foundation and is smart enough to know that his team will do better with smart people around him, which makes him a good coach as far as I am concerned.
CO)))DA
Roar Rookie
I'm glad that someone has acknowledged the worth of Hamish Stewart. I've always been a fan of his, and hoped that he would live up to the potential he showed when he first came on the scene. Although he hasn't quite measured up to expectations, and perhaps never will, he is one of those players who gives everything for his team and as a 12 he has the skills to unlock those outside him. I also reckon that he has thrived in the culture that Brad Thorn has created for the Reds. I hope that they are able to keep progressing as a team next season as it can only be good for Australian rugby to have successful coaches.
Harty
Roar Rookie
My gut says Jim McKay is the difference in the Reds outcomes in SRAU. The attack is much sharper and skills are improved. I still don't see any evidence to suggest Thorn should be anything other than a great forwards coach. The lack of tactical and strategic nous is pretty clear for those who choose to look and for me this is the key element of the head coaches role. Thanks for the article Rhys. Very much enjoying the way we're playing and I think we can knock off the Brumbies in the final. Go the Reds!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
If Twiggie opens the purse strings, expect a few to travel west over the next couple of months too. It's a reality that Qld and NSW supply most of the top tier players in Australia. Let's hope the game grows in Vic and WA so that it's not always the truth.
Nuance
Roar Rookie
We're not going to agree, but playing a month in your own backyard is a very significant advantage. To cite your away games > Gold Coast is 'away' in name only, that's another home game. Canberra > Lost; Sydney > Thrashed. For any pro sporting team home ground is an advantage. It just is, regardless of code. Let alone a full month at home. I guess we'll see on Sat...
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G'day RW. Like the Brian Ashton analogy. He certainly knew how to get Bath humming, and did a more than impressive job with England when he went back to that job to help them out of a hole.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Nuance, same size fields, same number of players on the field, Reds played away from Suncorp just as many times as at Suncorp, Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast and Force away, can't remember where. I'm failing to see the HUGH advantage. Three teams played at their home grounds and two, unfortunately, had to play their home games in established bubbles, all on the east coast so no time zone problems there. We are talking about professional sporting teams. There's 25 years of experience in the pro era for the whole organisations to draw on. They've all had the experience of playing through difficult travel schedules to NZ, SA and ARG, so travel within a single time zone should not be overwhelming. Being away from family is a problem but, there are many professional players and coaches plying their trade overseas who return to their families at the end of their season. And I wouldn't want to try to tell fi-fo workers how tough the players have got it. Back in the amateur era, Wallaby players, not being paid, would undertake three month tours of the UK and France and be away from their families for Christmas and New Year. These are worrying times, but for men who are engaging in their paid professions with all the support that has surrounded them, please don't try to sell me the idea that any one of the SR AU teams has enjoyed a HUGH advantage.
elysiusrugby
Roar Rookie
If he stays and his coaching evolves with the team it could be great for sure. McKay is a good coach too so it's hard to tell how much is Thorn. With the Brumbies for example, Laurie Fisher is the best forwards coaching going around so regardless of the head coach their always good in that area.
elysiusrugby
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, but in most international rugby sides the "boys to men" and instilling a hard work ethic wouldn't be necessary, and hopefully only necessary in teams in rebuild phase. The truth is he's only ever coached one team so you won't be able to tell until he gets a bigger resume.
Rugby wizard
Guest
I think it took longer for the Reds to come good than what we what have wanted, but in his defence the Reds could easily have won alot of close games last year and the year before with a little luck of which they never seemed to get. I am going to make another comparison and it's probably far fetched. When sir Alex Fergusen came to Manchester United it took him a good couple of years to make United a top team,once he managed to make them a force he could bring in youngsters(Giggs/Beckam) without the standard dropping because he had a good core of experienced players and that's the luxury Thorn will have going forward. I think patience is paying off and will for many years, if the united board didnt have patience with Sir Alex United probably would never have been as successful as they have been. Not having experience early is probably due to his axing of players but it had to be made although it was tough calls especially Slipper of which Thorn admits. Those that dont like Thorn must remember like Sir Alex he came to queensland to make them a force and even though he is a New Zealander he love Queensland rugby just as Queenslanders. Loyalty is important and I think Thorn will say no to a top international coaching job now, because he has come with a plan and until he achieves it he wont desert us
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I don't think Thorn is the type to pretend to be something that he is not and he is prepared to accept help, but he is also young and committed to lifelong learning. Who knows how much he will have grown in 5 to 10 years time, it seems that the sky is the limit for BT.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
Thorn probably could have gotten results earlier. As a Saffa I've reiterated that he threw out those he thought would not fit the plan and stuck to a young team. The team is still very young but they are getting somewhere now. The side will form the basis for a good spell going forward and may make up the bulk of the Wallabies squad for a while.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I won't reveal who I'm talking about, but there's a RL coach who's often referred to his players as "them". It makes "them" sound like a species of human as yet unknown to anthropology, and it's always rankled with me. Thanks Rhys for letting us know about a coach who refers to his players with more respect.
elysiusrugby
Roar Rookie
Interesting to see if Thorn's coaching style translates to other teams/ international without a long building period likes the Reds had. Would an international team want a coach that needs a couple years of losing before seeing great success?
Rugby wizard
Guest
As much as I like Thorn I must admit he is not a master tactician like a Rassie Erasmus or Eddie Jones NO WAY!! he in that class and probably never will be,but he is your Kitch Christie and to a lesser extent Brian Ashton type coach who can bring out the best in his players especially those not hugely talented by making them believe they can compete and be better than the best on the day. Reds win or lose against the Brumbies even the harshest critic must admit Queensland is on course to becoming a powerhouse .
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks Rhys... enjoyed that read. :thumbup: :rugby: :happy:
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I think they would have qualified for the regular Super Rugby finals. They had had their hardest run of matches on the big trip around the World and still had plenty of home conference games to play. They have been on the rise since the Crusaders game.