Ex-Tiger Thorn takes over at Reds

QUEENSLAND Reds have sacked Nick Stiles after just one season in charge and appointed former All Blacks great Brad Thorn as their new coach.

Stiles guided the Reds to just four wins in his first season at the helm.

It is a meteoric rise for Thorn, the former World Cup-winning All Black lock who ended his playing career at Leicester Tigers.

Thorn, capped 59 times by the All Blacks, has already experienced success as a mentor, guiding the Queensland U20s to two Super U20 Championship titles as an assistant coach in 2016 and as head coach to an undefeated season in 2017.

“I believe actions speak louder than words,” Thorn said. “I feel I’m contributing to a change in culture and standards in those teams and I look forward to continuing to contribute to this organisation and the success of the Reds.”