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'I came out of the womb a competitor': Thorn ready for final Reds challenge

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Brad Thorn says he was born ready for a testing fortnight that will determine how he leaves the Queensland Reds after five years in charge.

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The Reds’ 45-26 loss to the Blues at Suncorp Stadium left the coach smarting in what was his final game in charge at the venue he’s known for more than three decades across two codes.

It followed their historic win against the Chiefs in New Zealand and left the side teetering in seventh, just six points clear of ninth and in danger of missing finals.

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“Really disappointing,” the Reds coach said.

“It was tight at halftime (down 17-14), had opportunities and errors hurt us and if you give them opportunities they hurt us.

“You only get so many chances against good sides.”

Thorn has opted not to continue as coach next season, with games against the Highlanders (3-8) in Dunedin and Fijian Drua (4-7) to determine their fate.

It’s the Drua sitting in ninth ahead of Saturday’s date with the Waratahs, the second-year club looming as a tricky proposition should a finals spot be on the line in the last game of the regular season in Suva on June 3.

Thorn gave little thought to the occasion on Friday night, in what could be his final time in charge of a team at the ground he called home with the Broncos in the NRL.

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“It’s not sort of how I think,” the dual international said.

“For me, it’s each week, each mission, trying to get a result.

“We’ve got two more games to get our game together and we’ve got some work to do. It’s in front of us.

“I came out of the womb a competitor.”

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The Reds will hope James O’Connor (concussion) will travel to face the Highlanders, while Hunter Paisami (knee) is a chance of bolstering their midfield in the final round.

Co-captain Liam Wright has found his best form in recent weeks and will ensure he’s a menace at the breakdown at Forsyth Barr Stadium next Friday.

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“It’s going to test the heart of our whole squad,” Wright said of their top-eight pursuit.

“We get to bond, knuckle down on our game plan and really fight for each other and for Queensland.”

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AM 40 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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