Super Rugby AU: Once the enemy, Brad Thorn is now a Queensland Reds hero

It used to be Brad Thorn’s job to beat the Reds. Now he’s the central figure in Queensland’s rugby resurgence.

Coach Brad Thorn has been the Reds’ inspiration this year. Picture: Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images

The enemy when Queensland last tasted success, Brad Thorn has become the inspiration for a Reds side on the verge of returning to the top of Australian rugby.

The Thorn-coached Reds will be the sentimental favourites in Saturday night’s Super Rugby AU grand final against the Brumbies in Canberra.

Queensland has failed to fire for the best part of a decade, with their 2011 Super Rugby final win over the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium their most recent title.

On that night, former Broncos star Thorn was on the other team after returning from Brisbane to his country of birth New Zealand a few years earlier to fulfil his dreams in the 15-a-side code.

Both the Reds and the Crusaders had risen out of adversity caused by respective floods and earthquakes in Brisbane and Christchurch.

https://twitter.com/Reds_Rugby/status/1306382302163824640

In a similar manner, the Reds and the Brumbies have been the two teams to best cope with the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

“When we did play (Queensland) in 2011 it was a very important game for us to win considering what was going on back in Christchurch with the earthquakes,” Thorn said.

“But to see a capacity crowd of 52,000 there, to see the Reds playing such positive rugby, I just appreciated it.

“I understood that it had been hard times for quite a long time.

“How does that (compare) now? It’s probably been similar, it’s been lean times, and it’s a great opportunity.

“This time I’m on the other side of the teams, and the other side of the game as a coach. It’s a cool thing.

Reds captain Liam Wright said his team was indebted to Thorn, who had been blamed for some ordinary Queensland performances since taking charge in 2018.

“Thorny’s been with us for a few years now, put in a lot of hard work, copped a lot of heat on us not performing, and he’s been happy to take that on board,” Wright said.

“It’s nice reward for guys like him, our managers, our staff that have stuck with us on jobkeeper, working overtime, getting paid less during this pandemic ... it would all just make it worth it.”

Thorn deflected attention away from himself, praising the entire Reds’ family for their contribution to the Queensland rugby cause.

“The staff have been tremendous, the players have been tremendous, (the people) upstairs doing their stuff – it’s for everyone,” Thorn said.

“I couldn’t do it without the wonderful staff I have. What those players are putting in, the board ... so many people are dedicated and serving and you just want a result for everyone really.”