Thorn questions his future as rubble Reds unravel
Brad Thorn has cast serious doubt over his immediate coaching future after the Reds unravelled to hand ACT Brumbies their first win in Brisbane since 2015.
The Reds led 17-15 just before the break, but lost their way in the second half – defeated 52-24 at Lang Park, in a Good Friday meltdown that left the proud coach “gutted”.
Dual code marvel Thorn has overseen a cultural overhaul since taking the reins in 2018, blooding a host of raw talents and lifting the Super Rugby AU title in 2021.
But with just two wins to go with five losses and likely to be out of the top eight by round’s end, he said he had “possibly” taken the side as far as he could.
“Tonight [Friday[ hurts because it [a heavy loss at home] can’t happen,” said Thorn, who is off contract after this season.
“End of the day it’s on me. I’m a fighter by nature, I like challenges, but it’s a disappointing one.
“I like to contribute. When it’s not going so well, it’s tough.”
Thorn said last week he hadn’t given proper thought to his next move after 30 continuous years as a Rugby League or Rugby Union player and coach.
On Friday he looked a beaten man, but when asked if he expected to remain in the job for the back half of the season, he replied: “I’m not a quitter.”
“Who knows in coaching,” he said.
“I’m not a quitter; I’ll continue to put my heart in and that other stuff’s out of my hands.”
The Reds started sharply and led 14-7 when scrumhalf Tate McDermott ran 55m and beat five men to score a terrific solo try.
But again indiscipline haunted them, with Angus Blyth red-carded in the eighth minute for a high shot on Corey Toole that could lead to him being suspended for the rest of the regular season.
More penalties piggy-backed the Brumbies forward and a late try while down a man themselves – after Tom Wright was yellow carded for a professional foul on a rampaging Jordan Petaia – gave the visitors a surprise halftime lead.
They scored five tries in a one-sided second half as the wheels fell off for the hosts in their first loss to an Australian side at Suncorp Stadium in 15 matches.
Brumbies flyhalf Noah Lolesio – like McDermott overlooked for Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies squad – controlled the game superbly and kicked all seven attempts in his own statement performance.
The hoodoo-busting win improved the Brumbies to 6-1 and second place on the live Super Rugby Pacific ladder.
Coach Stephen Larkham stuck up for the Reds, echoing Thorn’s contention the side was better than their current standing.
“It’s a tough one isn’t it? Small margins really,” Larkham said of a Reds side who have suffered narrow losses to the Rebels and Crusaders in recent weeks.
“I don’t think they deserve to be where they are on the table.
“Tonight [Friday] it was only at the 70, 75th minute mark that we felt comfortable.”
Larhkham said if he were Thorn, he would “like to know that the people around you are supporting you”.
* Meanwhilethe Crusaders rallied from 17-21 down at half-time to beat last-placed Moana Pasifika 38-21 in Christchurch.
Wing Timoci Tavatavanawai and centre Levi Aumua had superb games for the winless Moana Pasifika and shared three first-half tries as they dominated physically against the under-strength Crusaders.
The defending champion Crusaders have been out of form all season and produced another disorganised display.
The win lifted the Crusaders into third place at the start of the seventh round.
The Christchurch side finally came away with the match with three tries in the second half but the score over-stated their performance.
The last try came just before the final whistle and inflated their winning margin.
All Friday’s scores and scorers
Crusaders 38-21 Moana Pasifika
The scorers
For the Crusaders
Tries: Taylor 2, Gardiner, McLeod, Heinz
Cons: Mo’unga 5
Pen: Mo’unga
For Moana Pasifika
Tries: Aumua 2, Tavatavanawai
Cons: McClutchie 3
Teams
Crusaders: 15 Fergus Burke, 14 Will Gualter, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Macca Springer, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Corey Kellow, 6 Sione Havili-Talitui, 5 Dom Gardiner, 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Tom Christie, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 David Havili, 23 Melani Nanai.
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 Danny Toala, 11 Neria Fomai, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 9 Ereatara Enari, 8 Solomone Funaki (captain), 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Michael Curry, 3 Joe ‘Apikotoa, 2 Samuel Moli, 1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth.
Replacements: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 19 Mike McKee, 20 Jonah Mau’u, 21 Manu Paea, 22 D’Angelo Leuila, 23 Fine Inisi.
Referee: James Dolemn
Assistant referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Chris Hart
Reds 24-52 Brumbies
The scorers
For the Reds
Tries: Faessler, McDermott, McReight
Cons: Henry 2, Creighton
Pen: Henry
For the Brumbies
Tries: Wright, O’Donnell, Lonergan, Ikitau, Tua, Valetini, Frost
Cons: Lolesio 6, Lonergan
Pen: Lolesio
Teams
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright (co-captain), 5 Seru Uru, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Phransis Sula-Siaosi, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Peni Ravai.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Jake Upfield, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Taj Annan.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys Van Nek, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Ben O’Donnell.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
TMO: Shane McDemott
