Thorn's new plot to win Super Rugby title
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Reds coach Brad Thorn’s plans to win the Super Rugby title has taken a new direction clearly evident in the side’s new captain.
Thorn has re-instated Wallaby centre Samu Kerevi as the leader of his team.
The star centre, who takes over from Scott Higginbotham, captained the side on several occasions in 2017 under previous head coach Nick Stiles.
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.
Reds supporters will be hoping the captaincy can keep Kerevi around beyond this season come 2020.
“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,” Kerevi told Rugbycomau.
“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,” Thorn told reporters.
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.
“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,” he added.
The last time the Reds won the Super Rugby title was back in 2011 during Ewen McKenzie’s reign as head coach.
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