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New Queensland Reds captain believes they can win Super Rugby title

Eto Nabuli of the Reds (R) is congratulated by Samu Kerevi. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Brad Thorn has picked a new captain ahead of the Reds 2019 season, deciding a change of direction was required after Scott Higginbotham skippered the side last year.

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Thorn has re-instated Wallaby centre Samu Kerevi as the leader of his team.

Kerevi captained the side on several occasions in 2017 under previous head coach Nick Stiles before Thorn picked Scott Higginbotham to skipper his side last year. The 25-year-old midfielder has high hopes for his side, believing they can go all the way. His one-year deal will expire at the end of 2019, so there is every bit the possibility this season is his last at Ballymore.

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“My focus is here, now, and I’m not going to shy away from it – I want to win a Super Rugby title and I want to win it with these boys right here.

“I believe it can happen and I believe in the group we have got.

“A lot of people say we don’t have experience but the boys bring more than that in energy.

“We have young boys stepping up, pushing the boundaries at training and I believe we can win it.”

Thorn’s hard-line stance on building a strong culture that strives for winning has resonated with the Fijian, which has demanded improved standards from the squad.

“In the past, I wouldn’t say it wasn’t policed well, but sometimes we’d let standards drop and wouldn’t pick it up as a playing group,” he said.

“I want us to be player-driven, guys picking up on each other on certain things.”

Thorn said Kerevi has the qualities that he was looking for in a leader to captain the team.

“He’s a humble and hard-working guy. He has experience at the highest level and inspires those around him through his actions both on and off the field,” he said.

While the Reds lost experienced players James Slipper (Brumbies), Quade Cooper (Rebels) and Karmichael Hunt (Waratahs) to rival teams, Thorn isn’t bothered about the impact they could have when they face the Reds.

“I’m pleased for Slips, you have Karmichael at the Waratahs, I wish them all well. My focus is here though. I just want to compete,” Thorn said.

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“I’m a bit ruthless like that. I don’t need someone or people in other teams to want to win, I just want to win.”

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Nickers 16 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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