Thorn on Kiwis’ coaching radar

Super rugby update

The Reds must lock in Brad Thorn as their long-term coach now he has kicked the sceptics into touch and become a prime poaching target for the Kiwis.

The Queensland Rugby Union took a massive punt last October by putting the future of the underperforming Reds in the hands of a rookie coach.

The pay-off has been the Reds’ best start since 2013, climbing off the canvas to upset the Lions 27-22 last Saturday and, finally, a second half to the season that still means something.

Put in a broader context, only one coach of the previous eight that the Reds have churned through since 2001 has done better in his first nine games in charge.

A 4-5 win-loss ledger still has some warts on it with a 24-point loss to the only Kiwi side encountered.

Still, there have been significant strides and the re-establishing of a clear identity of physical authority after so much losing heartache in recent years.

Thorn has doubled the 2-7 lift-off for Nick Stiles last year and lapped Eddie Jones (1-8) in his horror 2007 misfire. Only Ewen McKenzie (2010) has produced a better start (6-3) to his tenure at the Reds over a volatile period.

The Kiwis have a strict non-selection policy on players abroad but it definitely doesn’t apply to coaches being swung back to New Zealand.

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger, a favourite son of the All Blacks just like Thorn, was hired direct from refining his craft at English club Leicester.

Sources in New Zealand have revealed Thorn’s progress as Reds coach is being closely monitored.