Reds won't rush Thorn replacement as Scott Johnson and former Origin player emerge as coaching candidates

Brad Thorn might have announced back in mid-April that he was stepping down as Reds coach at season’s end, but the Queensland Rugby Union are not likely to announce his successor until August.

While agents and players are surprised by the slow process, the QRU won’t rush the decision.

They believe the Reds’ list is in healthy shape heading into 2024, with only a few spots left to fill, and want to ensure they get the right candidate rather than the first one that lands on the Ballymore desk so they re-emerge as a regular top-four side.

Who the anointed one is and what shape the coaching structure takes remains to be seen, but the Reds are open to two coaching models: a head coach with pedigree and a proven winning record, or a director of rugby, who could develop the next generation of coaches and, indeed, Wallabies.

The issue is there are very few Australians who fit the bill despite several local applicants.

Former Ireland and London Irish coach Les Kiss could be considered by the Queensland Reds. (Photo by Nigel French/PA Images via Getty Images)

The Roar understands the QRU is open to considering former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, with Argentina’s head coach likely to step away from the role following the World Cup in France. He would not come cheaply, but it’s understood the Reds would be willing to be creative and allow him to explore broadcast opportunities too.

Les Kiss, the former Ireland assistant turned Ulster and London Irish head coach, is also considering his options and is believed to have spoken to the Reds after his English Premiership club went under earlier this month. Some believe Kiss is the ideal candidate given his experience and the fact his London Irish side rocketed up the standings over the past year and had several emerging stars developing well at the club. Nor does he have any Queensland loyalties, which could be exactly what the Reds need.

Another option, which is seemingly gathering momentum, is former Scotland and Rugby Australia director of rugby Scott Johnson reprises the role at the Reds, with a senior coach under him in the vein of Matt Taylor or Mick Heenan.

Outgoing Reds coach Brad Thorn could be replaced by former Rugby Australia Director of Rugby Scott Johnson. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

It’s gone somewhat under the radar, but since finishing up at RA in late 2021, Johnson has worked as a consultant with the Reds.

The experienced rugby figure, who was John Connolly’s right-hand at the 2007 World Cup, has been overseas recently but it’s believed the former international coach is strongly considering throwing his hat in the ring.

Johnson’s a politically savvy operator, who talks a big game and has much to bring to the table. But the measure of his worth has never quite been known because he’s largely only ever been an interim international head coach or worked in the background.

One thing is for sure, sources have told The Roar that the QRU acknowledge history points to them needing a strong, experienced and well-credentialed coach who won’t be learning on the run like over the past decade to re-emerge as a title contender.

Indeed, the last time the Reds challenged and reached the summit was when Ewen McKenzie, a World Cup winner, who learned his coaching craft at the Brumbies and Wallabies before coaching the Waratahs to a Super Rugby final and spending a stint in France, took over as coach.

Ewen McKenzie turned around the fortunes of the Queensland Reds in the space of 24 months. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

In the space of 24 months, the same time Cheika took to lead the Waratahs to Super Rugby glory, McKenzie built on the work of Phil Mooney and spearheaded the Reds’ maiden title in 2011.

But McKenzie’s enduring legacy didn’t last long, as the Reds’ cracks began with his replacement in 2013.

The Reds have yet to return to the semi-finals of a fully-fledged Super Rugby competition since McKenzie was in charge, with Thorn’s side falling short in Hamilton on Saturday in a hard-fought 29-20 defeat to the Chiefs.

Reds chief executive David Hanham did not want to comment on Thorn’s potential replacement, but acknowledged they had fallen short of the goals in 2023.

“Our ambition is to be sustainably successful, which means being a top-four team every year,” Hanham told The Roar.

“In relation to the review of our performance, it’s something we do every year. However, having an independent set of eyes on how we can run a better high-performance system, which includes from our pathways, academy to our top program, has to be a priority. There’s some things we do really in our pathways but there’s some things that we can improve on in our football program.”

Queensland Rugby Union CEO David Hanham says the Reds want to be a regular top-four Super Rugby side. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

Rugby Australia will be included in the process and Eddie Jones’ view on the candidates is likely to be heard, too. Although the final decision will rest with the QRU.

While the Reds have a promising group of players to build a successful team around, including Matt Faessler, Angus Blyth, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott and Josh Flook, breaking bread with player agent Anthony Picone is also on the agenda.

The QRU has essentially stopped dealing with Picone in recent years, but it’s believed multiple coaching candidates have reached out to the player agent to see whether both parties can work together again.

It’s no surprise either given the huge numbers of players under Picone who have either gone interstate or left for overseas.

That puts the spotlight firmly on general manager Sam Cordingley and head of talent management Paul Carozza as well as the wider Reds program.

Saturday’s impressive showing won’t mask the Reds’ underwhelming season, which finished with five wins, 10 defeats.

Thorn spoke about the “no excuses” ethos that had been instilled in the club during his time but also pointed to the fact that they were missing almost a dozen contracted players against the Chiefs in his final post-match press conference.

That might be true, but the Crusaders have been hit harder than most by injuries and yet continue to get the business done. Indeed, they finished their quarter-final win over the Fijian Drua with 13 on the field and still didn’t concede a second-half try.

Outgoing Reds coach Brad Thorn with Tom Lynagh following their quarter-final loss at FMG Stadium Waikato, on June 10, 2023, in Hamilton. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

What the Reds were missing throughout the year was depth in the front-row, which extended beyond the giant absence of Taniela Tupou, discipline, particularly in the second-row, and polish in the midfield and work rate out across the entire side. Those factors extend beyond injuries.

The Reds’ coaching staff spent Tuesday on their end-of-season reviews, before joining the entire franchise for their end-of-season awards night.

If they want more to celebrate over the years to come, the decisions over the next two months regarding their coaching structure could shape the franchise’s future.