Toutai Kefu to throw his name in the hat for Reds coach consideration

Tonga World Cup coach and former Wallabies No.8 Toutai Kefu has thrown up his hand to replace Brad Thorn at the Queensland Reds.

Kefu, Queensland Rugby Union’s vice-president, was inducted into the organisation’s Hall of Fame on Friday.

But the World Cup winner told AAP he’d be looking to extend that resume next year after Thorn announced he would not extend his contract beyond this season.

“Look, it’s a massive opportunity for me but it’s a bit of a throw at the stumps,” he said.

“So I’ll have a go. But, I’ll think about that more, probably after the World Cup.”

Kefu has spent more than three months of this year in Europe keeping an eye on his Tongan talents but has kept tabs on the Reds’ Super Rugby Pacific fortunes.

Missing star prop Taniela Tupou (Achilles) all season, the Reds have stumbled to 5-8 to sit seventh, two points clear of ninth, ahead of this weekend’s final round.

They face the Drua in Fiji on Saturday, a win guaranteeing a finals berth but a loss leaving them at the mercy of other results and potentially shunting them down to 11th.

“I think they’ve done outstandingly well, considering the list that they’ve got. They probably should’ve won last week (against the Highlanders in Dunedin),” he said.

“I’m glad they’re hanging in there, and I think the performance from the players have been outstanding.

“I don’t think you can ask for more from them, but the first thing I’d do improve the list, but these guys have dug in and they haven’t given up.”

He said Thorn had left a legacy at Ballymore in his six years at the helm.

“He’s been fantastic; really put a line in the sand in terms of standards, and he’s brought through some really good young players,” he said.

James O’Connor will return to No.10 for the crucial clash, Tom Lynagh moving to the bench, while halfback Tate McDermott has passed his concussion protocols and is set to start in the No.9.