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Reds want head coach Brad Thorn for '10 years'
By Online Editors
The Queensland Reds are reportedly exploring the possibilities of moving towards a centralised operating model with Rugby Austraila reports the Courier Mail, after a downward spiral since 2013 has seen the 2011 champions fall quickly to the bottom of Super Rugby.
One of the desired outcomes is to have Brad Thorn as a long-term head coach according to QRU chairman Jeff Miller.
“We want Brad Thorn as a 10-year head coach but it’s up to us to create the right high-performance environment for him to want to,” Miller said.
“We are very supportive of Brad and the cultural change he has brought to the squad with some tough decisions.
“Having a team show strong levels of commitment and pride, as it has done, was a large part of his signing last year.
“It’s disappointing the Reds offer so much yet have been up or down and the QRU wants to provide the right support to be consistently better.”
The instability at Ballymore has seen four head coaches in five years, at one point running with a 'CIHC' arrangement - co-interim head coaches. Miller believes arresting the fall of the Reds will be possible with long-term structures in place, which has opened up the discussion around centralisation and a closer relationship with Rugby Australia.
Those discussions won't be without resistance, as Queensland rugby's autonomy has been tightly held. Ireland's high-performance chief David Nucifora addressed the QRU board recently and Scotland's director of rugby is set to do the same.
“You look at New Zealand, Ireland and Scotland and there are very successful alignments between the national and provincial levels for the benefit of both,” Miller said.
“One thing Nucifora said was ‘don’t be afraid of strong alignment’.
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The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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