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After 30 years of professional rugby, Brad Thorn just wants a break.
The dual-international entered 2023 thinking that his sixth year as the Reds coach could be his last and, indeed, that’s how it has played out.
The 48-year-old announced on Tuesday shortly after noon that 2023 would be his last season.
What’s next for the World Cup-winning All Black is far from clear.
“Yeah, who knows. I’m not sure,” he said.
“There’s been times in my career when I went to Japan and I sat on the end of the bed and I said ‘is this what it is?’
“I’m a competitor, so there is a part of me that this is all I know. I’m institutionalised. I just know pressure.
“It’s like Shawshank Redemption, I’m institutionalised. This is all I’ve done since I was 17.
“It’ll be good. I’ve got nothing around the next week or the week after or the month after and just think about where things are at.”
Brad Thorn is set to stand down as Queensland Reds coach following the 2023 season. Photo: Getty Images
All Thorn knows that he needs a break.
“I can’t really tell you my thoughts,” he said. “I need to have a break and have some thoughts.”
Thorn’s rise was dramatic.
After joining the franchise as their academy coach, he quickly rose through the ranks.
He led Queensland Country to the National Rugby Championship title in 2017 and with a two-decade playing career behind him, the Reds took a punt by farewelling Nick Stiles and appointing Thorn.
Thorn said when he joined the Reds the franchise was in an “interesting place” and it was a “hectic” experience taking over.
Not afraid of making the tough decisions, his tenure will be remembered for making cultural change.
No bigger decision there was then freezing out playmaker Quade Cooper, who had led the Reds to glory in 2011 but struggled at times too.
He also took a hardline stance on standards and professionalism, farewelling current incumbent Wallabies captain James Slipper and Karmichael Hunt. Both turned their careers around following the tough decisions.
Samu Kerevi and Quade Cooper have both come and gone under Brad Thorn. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Others have come and gone, too, but it’s worth highlighting that Slipper and Thorn have a good relationship to this day.
Thorn’s zenith was in 2021 when the Reds defeated the Brumbies to claim the Super Rugby AU title in front of 42,000 fans in Brisbane.
But the Reds’ inability to kick-on from that point, the departure of a number of stars, including the forthcoming departure of Taniela Tupou, has hurt.
The Reds’ struggles against New Zealand sides, where they have won just one of 13 matches since 2021, has also tainted Thorn’s legacy.
Reds coach Brad Thorn celebrates winning the Super RugbyAU Final against the ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium on May 08, 2021 in Brisbane. Photo Jono Searle/Getty Images
While Thorn said he was “disappointed with some of our results”, he said it had no bearing on his decision to step down.
More pressing was ensuring the Reds build on their win against Moana Pasifika, which snapped a three match losing streak, and building on their sixth-place position on the standings and making a strong run into the finals.
Asked whether it was his decision to call time, Thorn said he wasn’t pushed and that it was merely the right time for everyone involved.
“With the head coaching role, when I was asked around it, I was connected to the young guys at the club and I’d been here for a couple of years and I wanted to contribute and I’ve gone into the arena again,” he said.
“It tests you, it humbles you.
“It feels like a good time for the club, a good time for me. It’ll be more than two or three months, a proper break.”
Thorn said he hadn’t thought about his legacy, but wanted to be remembered as someone who “stepped up and contributed”.
“Obviously, I’m big on care,” he said.
“I cared about the footy, I cared about the people here.”
General manager Sam Cordingley said they had long known Thorn might step away, but said the official process to replacing the former Brisbane Bronco turned All Blacks lock had started.
“Effectively, yes. Obviously Thorny and I, along with Dave [Hanham], we’ve been speaking for some time knowing that Thorny’s off-contract at the end of the year,” Cordingley said.
“Really pleased for him that he gets to make the decision on his own terms. With that in mind, we were always planning around succession, be it coaching roles or otherwise, players or other staff.
“We’re in a World Cup year, there’s no better year to be looking at head coaches, but that’s for another year.
“We’ll certainly have the right people involved in the process to appoint and rugby in Queensland deserves undertaking of good process to find the next Queensland Reds next head coach.”
Former Wallabies halfback Sam Cordingley has a big role to play in appointing Brad Thorn’s successor. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
While Cordingley said he hoped new assistant Mick Heenan would apply for the job, he did not guarantee it.
“Mick’s done a great job in his first year as an assistant,” Cordingley said.
“He’s one of our most successful club coaches. I’m certain, come the time, we haven’t asked him yet, obviously this is an announcement today, but I’m sure that he’ll be someone that would like to throw his hat in the ring but that’s no guarantee.”
Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans continues to be linked to the role.
The 63-year-old has turned Panasonic Wild Knights into a powerhouse in Japan’s League One competition.
Other contenders are Matt Taylor, Jason Gilmour and Toutai Kefu.
Former Wallabies coach and Brad Thorn’s mentor, Robbie Deans, continues to be linked to the Reds’ head coaching job. Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Current Argentina coach Michael Cheika is a left-field choice, but one that has plenty of upside.
Cordingley said the Reds had to review themselves hard and added that Thorn shouldn’t be blamed for the Reds’ recent struggles.
“The first thing I’d like to say is the bourdon of recent performances hasn’t been Thorny’s alone,” the former Wallabies halfback said.
“We’ve identified that both as a staff and a playing group.”
Cordingley said Thorn had left the Reds in a better place.
“I’ll also say that some of the achievements and successes of Thorny has contributed to wiping that debt as well,” he said.
“We’re now in a great place, you can see this facility that’s behind us. Outstanding facility. We’ve got a playing list that’s now close to 30 players re-signed, a number of Wallabies, a number of contractually players. Thanks to Thorny that’s his legacy. We’re in a far better place than we were when he started.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.