Reds hire coach Thorn
Print Edition
The poorly-performing Queensland Reds have sacked Nick Stiles after one season in charge and appointed former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn to lead the side in Super Rugby from next season.
Former Australian prop Stiles had been an interim co-coach of the Reds in 2016 with Matt O’Connor before he got the head coaching role.
The Reds won just four games last season and Stiles was outspoken in his criticism at his players’ performances and at times off-field behavior.
“(The) Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) was disappointed with the performance of the Queensland Reds in 2017 and we believe we require a catalyst for change in culture, discipline and standards,” QRU chief executive Richard Baker said in a statement.
“We feel strongly that Brad Thorn is the right person to lead this change and that his appointment as head coach is the necessary catalyst for that change.”
New Zealand-born Thorn represented Australia in rugby league and had a storied career with the Brisbane Broncos before he switched codes and eventually played 59 tests for the All Blacks and won the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Widely considered the ultimate professional rugby player, he did not end his professional playing career until 2015, at the age of 40. He also played semi-professional rugby in Australia last year as a player-coach within the Queensland system.
Thorn joined the Reds as forwards coach in 2015 and also coached the Queensland under-20s and Queensland Country. “I believe actions speak louder than words,” he said. “I feel I’m contributing to a change in culture and standards in those teams and I look forward to continuing to contribute to this organization and the Reds’ success.”
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