'Better place': Wallabies legend reacts to Brad Thorn's Reds exit

Legendary Wallabies midfielder Tim Horan has claimed that the soon-to-depart Brad Thorn will leave the Reds in a much better place than when he took over. The 2011 Rugby World Cup winner became head coach in 2018 but early-season pressure in 2023 has resulted in Tuesday’s announcement that Thorn will exit at the end of the current campaign.

Thorn will depart as the longest-serving Reds head coach in more than two decades and Horan, the two-time World Cup winner who now does punditry for Stan Sport, tweeted: “Brad Thorn is leaving the Reds in a better place than when he took over six years ago. A stronger culture, harder work ethic, and playing for each other. There is a lot of potential for the next coach to take the team to a new level.”

Reporter Jim Tucker added: “Brad Thorn stepping down as coach of the Reds at end of season after six years. He made call before any review in this bye week. ‘The job’s not finished. We have got six games left and finals and we have a plan to get there.’ Overwhelming positive stint.”

Greg Clark, the voice of Australian TV rugby, said: “Interesting Reds news. Coach Brad Thorn will step aside at the end of Super Rugby 2023. I guess it’s no surprise as he has been there six years but not sure about timing of the announcement? Reds still very much in the playoff race so hopefully Thorny goes out on a high.”

The Thorn announcement wasn’t breaking news to fellow reporter Mark Gottlieb. He tweeted: “Think you could tell in this interview from January that Brad Thorn was unlikely to coach the Reds beyond this Super Rugby season. He just seemed a bit over it. As Thorn said a few weeks ago, he has had nearly three decades non-stop in professional sport. That takes a toll.”

Former Wallabies forward Ben Alexander reckoned: "Brad Thorn is still in the early stages of his coaching career, but would love to hear a self-assessment of his strengths and weaknesses as a coach. Also, hope he isn't sacked because Aussie rugby can't afford to lose people with his fighting spirit and work ethic.”

Thorn, who won NRL titles with Brisbane while also winning a Rugby World Cup with New Zealand and Super Rugby silverware with the Crusaders, overhauled the Reds with bold decisions to let Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt and James Slipper go as he blooded a new wave of local talent.

A Super Rugby AU title in 2021 was the high point, but the Reds have struggled against New Zealand opposition and this year slipped to a 3-5 record after costly losses to Melbourne and the Brumbies. A win in Samoa last Friday against Moana Pasifika improved the Reds to sixth place in a 12-team competition where the top eight contest finals.

Reds CEO David Hanham said in the club’s official media release about the Thorn exit: “Upon his appointment as head coach in 2018 he had to make some tough decisions – unpopular decisions, but they were for the betterment of the whole organisation.

"Built on care, humility and hard work, he changed the culture at Ballymore. Brad will continue and ... his fellow coaching staff and playing group are all equally committed with the goal of playing finals for a fourth-straight year."