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From dropping Quade Cooper to a Super Rugby AU final: How Brad Thorn transformed the Reds

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Many questioned Brad Thorn’s wisdom in getting rid of Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper as part of his rebuild of the Queensland Reds.

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Cooper’s 2018 exit was perhaps the most controversial decision Thorn has made at Ballymore, made more embarrassing when the 70-Test ace returned to Suncorp Stadium last year to lead the Melbourne Rebels to a big win over the Reds.

Thorn has, however, always said his decision to move on Cooper and several other key Reds such as Karmichael Hunt and Andrew Ready was about transforming a team that had stagnated since Super Rugby glory in 2011.

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The Breakdown | Episode 34 | NZR CEO Mark Robinson guests following round 1 of the Mitre 10 Cup

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The Breakdown | Episode 34 | NZR CEO Mark Robinson guests following round 1 of the Mitre 10 Cup

Not even the walkout by Izack Rodda, Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas in May, after the trio refused to accept pay cuts, derailed Thorn’s belief in his team-building project.

His commitment is being rewarded with the Reds now one game away from winning the Super Rugby AU crown.

Last weekend’s win over the Rebels propelled Thorn and his men into a clash against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday in the grand final of the post-coronavirus competition.

Forward Angus Scott-Young said the journey to the decider reflects the team’s growth and a spirit which goes beyond the pitch.

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“That break during COVID almost galvanised the group a bit,” Scott-Young said.

“We became really close mates.

“Even the lockdown here, we’ve not been able to go out outside of training.

“We’ve become really close, that’s helped us.”

The Reds head to the nation’s capital having defeated the minor premiers in the final round of the regular season 26-7 in Brisbane.

Queensland, however, haven’t won since 2014 in Canberra and Scott-Young is all too aware of the challenge that lies ahead.

“They’re a strong team. We know their weapons,” he said.

“They love their rolling maul, set-piece focused team, and they always seem to go that 10 per cent harder down in Canberra.

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“So playing down there, it’s going to be a massive challenge and hopefully we can rise to the occasion.”

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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