Brad Thorn preaching positive rugby despite ill-discipline costing them two big names

THE Reds will be known for positive rugby not judiciary visits this season, according to Brad Thorn who thought he was coaching a rugby league team after a red and yellow card against the Rebels.

Scott Higginbotham will miss three matches.

THE rattled Reds will be known for positive rugby not judiciary visits this season, according to the coach who thought he’d left the 13-a-side game behind him.

Brad Thorn said he saw no reason to turn schoolteacher about discipline after two suspensions because the message about accurate tackling was strong throughout the pre-season.

Losing captain Scott Higginbotham and Lukhan Tui to costly suspensions for dangerous tackles can’t make the Reds gun-shy with their hitting power against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.

Scott Higginbotham will miss three matches.

“I hope not,” Thorn said.

“You want to bring that physicality but you’ve just got to be smart around how you do that.

“We train for good technique with tackling and outside the couple of big plays that hurt us (against the Melbourne Rebels) the discipline was good.

“At one stage I thought I had a league team out there with 13 players. We’ll be playing with 15 this week.”

The Reds did concede just eight penalties, one of the lowest for the Super Rugby round.

Thorn said the notion that a narrow, brutish forward style would be the stamp of his side was off the mark.

“I was a lock and, yeah, I did play on the edge probably often,” Thorn said

“(But) If you’ve watched the teams I’ve coached (with the Queensland Under-20s and Queensland Country), I coach positive footy.”

Flyhalf Jono Lance was unveiled in England as returning to Worcester next season which confirms he is a one-year figure at the Reds.

He will continue to be a valuable mentor for young No.10 Hamish Stewart.

Originally published as Brad Thorn preaching positive rugby despite ill-discipline costing them two big names