Australia: Brad Thorn would be ‘honoured’ to take the Wallabies coaching reins
Reds Coach Brad Thorn looks on during the Super Rugby Round 7 match between Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday , April 2, 2022. (AAP Image/Jason O'Brien) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **
Reds head coach Brad Thorn has confirmed that he is interested in succeeding Dave Rennie as the next Wallabies boss.
Thorn is an All Blacks legend, representing them on 59 occasions and playing a key role in their 2011 Rugby World Cup success.
The second-row featured for the Crusaders in Super Rugby over two separate spells, helping them to the 2008 title.
Interspersed with his stints in union was also a successful career in the 13-man code where he excelled for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.
With Thorn currently boss of another Brisbane-based side, the 47-year-old has a great affiliation to Australian rugby and would relish the chance to take charge of the national team.
A privilege and a responsibility
“Australia is where the challenge is for me and where I’m connected to,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I hold the Wallabies coaching role in high esteem. It’s a privilege and a responsibility. I don’t believe you should just walk in there and get the job. You have to earn the right.
“Right now, I’m really enjoying my time with Queensland. We feel we have built a quality programme here and that’s where our focus remains.
“If the opportunity presented itself at the right time later down the track, I would be honoured to coach the Wallabies, but that’s for other people to make that decision.”
Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar has been the man earmarked to take charge of Australia when Rennie departs, which is reported to be following the 2023 World Cup.
The former Glasgow Warriors and Chiefs boss agreed a three-and-a-half year deal with Rugby Australia back in November 2019 and officially started the role after leaving the Warriors in 2020.
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