Former Waratah Lachie Turner has no regrets over his move north to Queensland Reds

FORMER Waratahs winger Lachie Turner has no regrets about joining the Reds, despite seeing his old club power towards a Super Rugby title.

Lachie Turner of the Reds during the Super Rugby trial game between the Queensland Reds and the Chiefs played in Toowoomba. Pic Darren England.

HE endured several tough years at the Waratahs, only to leave for a new struggling club — and then watch his old team immediately power towards a Super Rugby title.

But Lachie Turner says he has “no regrets” about his decision to join Queensland this year, despite his former club of seven years winning its first minor premiership last weekend and the Reds sinking to 12th on the ladder.

“As much as I am proud of the friends I have back in NSW and the success they’re having at the moment, I am extremely happy where I am,” Turner told The Daily Telegraph.

“I am obviously not too happy with the results we’ve had but I am happy with what’s going on up here, and what we’re building towards. I think we have the capabilities to go on and do well next year.”

Turner debuted for NSW as a teenager in 2007 and, after scoring twice in the Super Rugby final in 2008, went on to play 15 Tests for Australia and be crowned Australia’s fastest footballer.

But a succession of bad injuries across 2012 and 2013 saw Turner used sparingly by coach Michael Cheika last season. And though NSW made him an offer to stay, an approach to start afresh in Queensland was appealing.

While the contrasting fortunes of his old and new clubs is painfully obvious, and the Waratahs now sit poised to achieve history, Turner says he’s not losing sleep about it.

“I don’t have any regrets,” Turner said. “At the time it was a difficult ­decision, but the longer the process went on the more I was happy with the decision I made.

“I haven’t regretted it once since.

Turner celebrates scoring a try for NSW.

“Having been a part of the squad last year and seen the vision that they had, I guess it is pleasing for the guys down there.

“But I have been focused on what’s going on up here in Queensland. I’ve loved my time up here.

“It obviously hasn’t been a year that I’d liked to have had, with a few injuries here and there. But I have loved my time.

“As hard as it was, the change was really as much a life change as a footy change.”

Turner, who will line up against his old team tomorrow night at Suncorp Stadium, said leaving the comfort zone of Sydney had helped him grow as an athlete, and as a person.

“I have learned a few things and a few life lessons I don’t think I would have otherwise,” he said.

The Reds have had an ordinary season, winning just five games, but Turner’s experience at NSW in horrific years like 2007 and 2012 has helped him see the silver lining.

“I have been through these tough seasons before, and I can just see how much the organisation is learning from it,” he said.

“It has obviously been a tough one but in a lot of ways they are lessons you have to learn, and you have to learn how to bounce back.

“It’s a tough time and there are a lot of people who are willing to kick us when we’re down, but we’re sticking together and working hard through it all.

“I can just see the little signs are there the squad will go well next year.”

Rising stars like Samu Kerevi are rays of light, and the Reds’ ­recruitment drive for next year has captured a lot of attention, with James O’Connor all but secured and Karmichael Hunt also targeted.

“There have been a lot of names thrown around, and we haven’t been told too much either,’’ Turner said.

“We have faith in the organisation that they are going to recruit well.

“All those guys have X-factor and I’d love to play with any of them. “

Turner said the Reds were ­focused on sending out loyal Reds players such as Mike Harris and Rod Davies as ­winners tomorrow night.

And also repaying fans for their support.

Originally published as Former Waratah Lachie Turner has no regrets over his move north to Queensland Reds