Queensland Reds 2026

[Ignoto]

It is incredibly rare for someone with more than 20 tests to play their entire career in Australia to the point where I'm struggling to think of a single example in the last 15 years

Ben Robinson, Stephen Moore, Nathan Sharpe, Pat McCabe, Matt Hodgson, Ben Daley and Laurie Weeks all come to mind.

You could almost say Will and Quade fit the criteria as they essentially retired when they went to Japan.

 

[PhilClinton]

Slipper is probably a special case, given his issue with cocaine back when he left the Reds probably undercut his value in the wider market and more importantly his desire to go elsewhere. Definitely not the standard

I had actually forgotten about the cocaine stuff and Slipper. Goes to show - it was probably one of the better handled sports and drug incidents that comes to mind in terms of someone who really seemed to have a problem and a change of scenery and no doubt some proper support went on to give him a boost and really keep his status as a good bloke and key player.

 

[dru]

I had actually forgotten about the cocaine stuff and Slipper. Goes to show - it was probably one of the better handled sports and drug incidents that comes to mind in terms of someone who really seemed to have a problem and a change of scenery and no doubt some proper support went on to give him a boost and really keep his status as a good bloke and key player.

Brad's response to this issue was "probably one of the better handled sports and drug incidents that comes to mind"?

imvho the Brumby response was exemplary. As was Slipper's response to the opportunity given. For me however, it remains the largest stain on Thorn's time at the Reds.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Brad's response to this issue was "probably one of the better handled sports and drug incidents that comes to mind"?

imvho the Brumby response was exemplary. As was Slipper's response to the opportunity given. For me however, it remains the largest stain on Thorn's time at the Reds.

Thorn had to do what he had to do or be seen as a hypocrite.
It was unfortunate, but necessary. I believe it helped Slipper in the long-run also.

 

[Major Tom]

What was his reasoning for not picking Quade? Genuinely, forgot but I remember him running around for Souths for a year.

 

[Lyall]

Thorn had to do what he had to do or be seen as a hypocrite.
It was unfortunate, but necessary. I believe it helped Slipper in the long-run also.

Was he caught more than once?
Isn't it standard fare for the guilty to move to another club and all is forgotten, sorta?
Like the priesthood in a way...

 

[Ignoto]

For me however, it remains the largest stain on Thorn's time at the Reds

I dunno - Slips popped in February for cocaine, the Reds (and presumably Thorn) supported him during this period saying he has had depression for awhile during / after his mums battle with cancer.

The second time was harder to defend but he wasn’t thrown to the wolves.
I think it was handled in close to the best way possible. Ultimately it caused James to move and help move through the issues he was facing.

 

[dru]

Thorn had to do what he had to do or be seen as a hypocrite.
It was unfortunate, but necessary. I believe it helped Slipper in the long-run also.

I dunno - Slips popped in February for cocaine, the Reds (and presumably Thorn) supported him during this period saying he has had depression for awhile during / after his mums battle with cancer.

The second time was harder to defend but he wasn’t thrown to the wolves.
I think it was handled in close to the best way possible. Ultimately it caused James to move and help move through the issues he was facing.

I'm happy to accept there are fans with consideration who disagree with me. Doesn't change my position but probably not something to dive in deep in 2025.

 

[Adam84]

I’ve had the unfortunate experience from my time in defence of working with/managing individuals who were suffering substance abuse as a result of PTSD/mental health conditions etc. my biggest lesson learned from all that is maintaining status quo rarely worked and on occasion trying to do so, had absolutely the worst outcomes. A step change even if it meant the end of individuals career, or a significant break while they received the help they needed was often the only way to truly see the forest through the trees; even if not what was considered as the best option for everyone at the time.

but yeah, not necessarily a discussion for this thread.

 

[liquor box]

Brad's response to this issue was "probably one of the better handled sports and drug incidents that comes to mind"?

imvho the Brumby response was exemplary. As was Slipper's response to the opportunity given. For me however, it remains the largest stain on Thorn's time at the Reds.

I didn't think he was the greatest coach of players, but I think his attitude of not putting up with players not doing what was expected of them was a positive.

Some think he was too harsh on players (QC (Quade Cooper) was my favourite so his sacking/not being picked really annoyed me) but some players need a boot up the arse from time to time. Look at Tupou, he could get 80 minutes on the field and was fit, didn't drink and became arguably Australia's best THP. I don't think he was ever as good again with other coaches.

 

[Major Tom]

I didn't think he was the greatest coach of players, but I think his attitude of not putting up with players not doing what was expected of them was a positive.

Some think he was too harsh on players (QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper) was my favourite so his sacking/not being picked really annoyed me) but some players need a boot up the arse from time to time. Look at Tupou, he could get 80 minutes on the field and was fit, didn't drink and became arguably Australia's best THP. I don't think he was ever as good again with other coaches.

Flogging Tupou is arguably what gave him injury issues.
Thorn did a job of instilling some toughness in group but that’s about it.

 

[PhilClinton]

Flogging Tupou is arguably what gave him injury issues.

He also made him the highest paid forward (player?) in Australian rugby for a time.

Blaming Thorn for Tupou's issues is a bit of a cop out. The bloke would rock up from the off-season each year 20kgs overweight and needed to be belted if he was going to be able to play high level rugby.

 

[Ignoto]

Flogging Tupou is arguably what gave him injury issues.

Look, I agree that Brad and the Reds asked a lot of a young tight head. BUT, Taniela's injuries stemmed from a Wallabies training program that had an extremely large volume of achilles injuries which was made worse by the rush to return for a RWC.

An argument could be made that Taniela has not performed at the levels we saw at the Reds for one of many reasons and one of those could be due to the higher weight he was carrying and thus, less effective around the park.

 

[Major Tom]

Look, I agree that Brad and the Reds asked a lot of a young tight head. BUT, Taniela's injuries stemmed from a Wallabies training program that had an extremely large volume of achilles injuries which was made worse by the rush to return for a RWC.

An argument could be made that Taniela has not performed at the levels we saw at the Reds for one of many reasons and one of those could be due to the higher weight he was carrying and thus, less effective around the park.

Hmm I’m not sure about that. He had calf complaints leading up to the Achilles. I’m pretty sure that was in the super season. Bit of chicken or the eggs stuff really. Playing big minutes at the reds defs played its part.

 

[Major Tom]

He also made him the highest paid forward (player?) in Australian rugby for a time.

Blaming Thorn for Tupou's issues is a bit of a cop out. The bloke would rock up from the off-season each year 20kgs overweight and needed to be belted if he was going to be able to play high level rugby.

Yeah weight was always going to be Tupou’s issue. I was happy for him to be belted during preseason but he was regularly playing 70+ minutes a game! That was asking for trouble. Thorn was trying to win games because the step down from Tupou’s level was shocking really.

 

[Yoda]

Yeah weight was always going to be Tupou’s issue. I was happy for him to be belted during preseason but he was regularly playing 70+ minutes a game! That was asking for trouble. Thorn was trying to win games because the step down from Tupou’s level was shocking really.

A shame his off season diet explodes... he is awesome when fit and as a professional rugby player it's disappointing he can't maintain that dietary discipline.