The end of an era: Looking back at Brad Thorn's Reds tenure

Brad Thorn’s six-year tenure as Queensland Reds coach is over.

The Reds of 2023 were a side of massive potential, yet rarely delivered on it. They had all the talent but did not demonstrate the ability to utilise it within a wider game plan.

Ultimately this fell at Thorn’s feet, with the former All Black announcing he would not seek a contract extension post-2023.

But this is far from the full picture and tells the tale of an unfortunate ending to a tenure that shifted the fortunes of Queensland Rugby.

Here’s a look back on the Thorn dynasty.

2018

When Thorn arrived as Reds coach in late-2017, he was the fourth coach to take the helm over the previous five years. Just six years after winning a famous Super Rugby title, the Reds were in shambles.

Acting swiftly, Thorn axed several experienced players for various reasons, moves that were met with controversy. Thorn had wanted to make point and make a point he did. This was the beginning of a shift in culture above the Tweed. A shift in mentality.

Within weeks of competition the men dubbed ‘Thorn’s Baby Reds’ built themselves a reputation of pure grit and resilience. While it did not always lead to results, there were far fewer blowouts for Queensland than in previous years (spare for an embarrassing 35-point thumping at the hands of the Sunwolves), and they finished with their best record since 2013.

2019

This was the year that the hype started to build behind this young squad. 2019 saw them grow even further, despite results not necessarily showing it.

By round 5 they had pushed they had come within a whisker of victory on Kiwi soil before putting 36 on the Brumbies at Suncorp. 2019, like the previous year, was punctuated by mixed results especially against Australian opposition.

Nevertheless, the QRU were confident something was building under Thorn and they continued to back him.

Crucially, this year brought an end to Samu Kerevi’s Reds career when he was at the peak of his powers. Many tipped the loss to be too great for Thorn and his side, but the Queenslanders continued to grow.

2020

The year that changed rugby forever.

And it could well have been the Reds’ breakthrough year. For all seven rounds of Super Rugby, the Reds put in valiant performances that were eye catching for most of the competition.

Whether it was almost forcing a boilover in Christchurch or putting up a record score against the Sunwolves, Queensland stuck it to the best.

The outbreak of COVID-19 brought more controversy to Queensland Rugby’s doorstep as three young and upcoming players refused to take the mandatory pay cut. To Thorn’s disappointment, the star trio parted ways with the Reds.

In addition to this, the pandemic led to the creation of Super Rugby AU. The Reds hardly slowed down, falling just short in Canberra in the final. They were the surprise package of the competition and, despite the challenging situation, continued on the upwards trajectory.

If COVID did not interrupt normal operations, the Reds would have made the top eight in 2020. It would have been a big year for Brad Thorn’s men.

(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

2021

This year was where things peaked under Thorn.

The Reds won seven straight, including their first win in Canberra since 2014. Their thrilling Grand Final win in front of packed house at Suncorp Stadium will go down as one of Queensland rugby’s proudest moments.

While their performances against Kiwi opposition were less than impressive, it can be largely put down to a year of isolation from such pace and was in line with other Aussie sides.

2022

This was the year cracks began to appear.

After going 7-1 to start the season, the Reds capitulated, winning just one from their next six and falling to the Crusaders in an away quarter-final clash.

The Reds’ lack of ability to bring it to NZ opposition was widely criticised as the reason for their demise. They conceded at least 27 points in all their matches against those from across the ditch, condemning them to a sub-par season.

2023

Even before the season had started, punters knew this was Thorn’s make or break season. With his contract coming to an end, he had to prove he had the ability to take the team all the way.

Unfortunately, it will go down as the final straw for the former Brisbane Bronco.

Starting off with a 47-13 humiliation at the hands of the Hurricanes in Townsville, they turned it around next week to blow the competition away with a 51-point annihilation of the Western Force in Super Round.

But the Reds continued to stumble. Not helped by an unprecedented run of injuries, they dropped four of their next five games.

The highlight of their season was an away win in New Plymouth against the previously undefeated Chiefs side, a game they won off the back of some 27 phases of defence after the siren.

Three consecutive defeats to end their season, though, condemned them to eighth spot and a mission that proved too much to repeat as they valiantly went down to the Chiefs in the quarter-finals.

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Speaking after the game, Captain Tate McDermott said he hoped the performance incapsulated their coach and his attitude to playing. He can be satisfied that it did as the Reds made the table toppers’ life hell and almost caused an upset.

Brad Thorn’s time at the Reds will be remembered as one which was characterised by endless potential but inconsistency that ultimately held them back.

He must be credited for breathing life into Queensland rugby again. Players like Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, and Harry Wilson, all developed under Thorn, are some of a number of talents who will serve the state well in the near future.

But most of all, the shift in the culture of the franchise he enacted is the legacy that will carry through with this current crop of players and the Reds into the future.

Thorn has built a solid base but now it is time for someone new. Someone who is experienced and accomplished enough to squeeze every bit of potential out of this still relatively young Reds side.

This is the decision the QRU must get right, for the sake of not just Queensland rugby but Australian rugby as a whole.

The success the next coach of this side enjoys will be the true indicator of the legacy of Brad Thorn’s tenure.