THORN’S NEW DEAL
BRAD Thorn is certain to be re-signed to a coaching extension for 2021 after the recent fight and turnaround in results from the Queensland Reds.
A review of Thorn’s position and his coaching staff is imminent after the formal process was postponed in March because of the health crisis stalling the Super Rugby season.
Whether Thorn was the ideal figure to lead the Reds into the future was a question mark when the team sputtered to one win from six games to open the season.
The turnaround started from the lame opening against South Africa’s Bulls in March from 17-0 down has fortified the belief of the QRU board that it has the right man in charge.
The Reds surged home 41-17 to beat the Bulls and rebooted their season with a drought-breaking 32-26 win over the NSW Waratahs to snap a 13-game losing streak against their oldest rivals.
As significant was another fightback on full-time with an Alex Mafi try to force Friday night’s clash against the Melbourne Rebels into “Super Time’’.
Three matches, three fightbacks for points. It’s the steel any Queensland rugby fan wants to see in the Reds.
“The thing I’m proud about that started three years ago is the fight that’s in the team,” Thorn said. “You can always improve your game but that fight, that stuff inside you that wants to compete ... the guys keep going and they’ve been doing for a few years now. They don’t go away. They’re fighters.
“It’s something I’m proud of and it’s something that the Maroon jersey demands.”
Thorn has cultivated that culture for three seasons and the expectation is he will be offered a one-year extension alongside attack coach Jim
McKay to continue that growth. The QRU is acutely aware of the value of stability in the coaching ranks after the failed seasons when there was a revolving door with head coaches in and out.
The win over the Waratahs and the draw against the Rebels also shows Thorn’s direction is commanding enough to rise above the disruption caused by three frontline players, Izack Rodda, Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas, opting out of contracts..