Lowly Sunwolves a danger to Thorn
JIM TUCKER BRAD Thorn’s rise to Reds boss for today’s crunch game in Tokyo began obscurely as an accidental coach in Japan where few could pronounce his name properly.
It will seem an odd thing to say but this clash against the winless Sunwolves is one of the biggest tests of Thorn’s rookie year.
The noon kick-off is disorientating, countless youngsters are having their first run-in with the rapid style of the Japanese and this is one game everyone expects the Reds to win.
Drop their guard for the opening 15 minutes and it could be a mess.
“It’s a danger game and it’s all on us to turn up with a real good intensity early so we are the team playing the good footy,” Thorn said.
No line-busting backrower like Caleb Timu or Scott Higginbotham heaps major responsibility on centres Samu Kerevi and Chris Feauai-Sautia to make some big running metres.
Curiously, Thorn got his start in the coaching caper in the months after the euphoria he shared as an All Black when winning the 2011 World Cup in Auckland.
Thorn took up a deal with Sanix Blues where he quickly discovered the Japanese club’s shortcomings.
“I helped with the scrum because it was horrible when I arrived and I figured if I’m going to enjoy my footy, I’m going to have to help coach it,” Thorn said.
“We went from being obliterated at scrum time to breaking even which was very satisfying.
“It’s a funny story. The Japanese couldn’t get the ‘Th’ in my name right so I was always ‘Sorny’ to them.”
Unsurprisingly, Thorn became a pied piper as “unofficial” coach in the gym as well.
“When six players turned into 12 the coach said ‘no more allowed to train’ because I think the actual strength and conditioning guy was losing face,” Thorn said.
None of this will surprise anyone who knows how the Reds have reached 4-5 and still have a shot at the playoffs with Thorn stirring improved standards, a direct style and team spirit.
The Reds can mangle the Sunwolves at scrum and lineout time so expect the Thorn blueprint to be that obvious, with locks Izack Rodda and Kane Douglas prominent.
Ageless flanker George Smith is an ace because of his experience in Japan’s Top League.
His value will be keeping the Reds methodically on task rather than be drawn into a free-flowing, try-scoring shootout they are less equipped to win.
Thorn played under crafty Sunwolves coach Jamie Joseph when they were both at the Highlanders so he knows there will be surprises, quick taps and set plays to cope with.
No team concedes more points (41) and few miss more tackles (27) per game than the Sunwolves.