As the Reds search for a new coach to lead them beyond the Brad Thorn era, Queensland Rugby bosses have declared they’re searching for a well-credentialled candidate with head coach experience at provincial and/or international level as a “non-negotiable”.
What sort of international experience? Any national coaching job? Because there’s a big difference between coaching the All Blacks and coaching Romania.
Wallabies and Reds legend, and current Tonga coach, Toutai Kefu is tipped to replace Brad Thorn as Reds head coach.Credit: Getty
One name that seems to be growing in support, at least from the mouths of people trying to push his name, is Toutai Kefu.
The legendary former Reds number 8 and World Cup-winning Wallaby forward is the head coach of the Tongan men’s national team.
International experience? Tick.
Coaching any international side is not to be sneezed at, but let’s keep in mind Tonga is a Tier 2 rugby nation – that is, a team ranked outside the top 10 in the world.
What works in Kefu’s favour is his indisputable standing as a Queensland Reds legend.
More than 100 caps in the maroon jersey, a cult hero in his playing days and, at his best, arguably the most destructive ball-carrying forward in the world.
And we can’t overlook his achievements as a Wallaby, either.
Sixty international caps, a World Cup winner in 1999 and the reason John Eales went out a winner – Kefu scored the match and Bledisloe-Cup-sealing try in Eales’ final international game in 2001.
Powerhouse No. 8 Toutai Kefu scoring the match-winning try that sent John Eales out a winner.
Credit: Craig Golding
Incredible feats that should see the now 49-year-old not have to pay for a beer in any pub (in Queensland at least) for the rest of his life.
But a Super Rugby head coach those feats do not make.
Kefu, from my limited dealings with him, is a wonderful bloke, a “Rugby Man”, and well connected in rugby circles.
However, reports on his coaching ability point to detail, strategy and tactics not being his strong suit.
If – and it’s still if – QRU bosses were to be won over by the romantic red glow of installing a Queensland rugby legend as the next head coach, they run the risk of repeating history.
Thorn isn’t a Reds legend, but he is a rugby union and rugby league legend.
It held him in an “aura” in the eyes of young players in his charge, which helped galvanise the team in the early seasons of his tenure.
By the end, criticism around detail and coaching nous have crept in – with recent results supporting the criticism.
Among the men on the Reds coaching wishlist are (clockwise from top left): Robbie Deans, Les Kiss, Matt Taylor and Joe Schmidt.
Credit: Fairfax
Would Kefu be any different?
The current Reds squad needs an exceptional coach to help them go to the next level or risk languishing in the mediocrity we’ve seen in the past 18 months.
If the decision-makers are seduced by the PR spin of installing a Reds legend, then Kefu needs to be supported with a team of experienced assistant coaches who will take care of the detail, strategy and structure; otherwise, they risk sending another Ballymore legend up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
It seems at least one assistant coach position is already tied up, with Mick Heenan believed to be guaranteed a spot on the staff beyond this season.
Scott Johnson, a former Rugby Australia Director of Rugby, is another name being bandied about.Credit: Getty Images
The chances of the Reds landing a “big fish” coach are diminishing.
Jamie Joseph, the Japan head coach and a former Super Rugby winner, was arguably the best candidate out there, but he’s just signed with Shizuoka in Japan, where he’ll begin after the World Cup.
Robbie Deans is the name on everyone’s lips but landing him is pipe dream stuff.
Joe Schmidt may still be a chance, but getting him away from New Zealand will be tricky.
Les Kiss at London Irish might still be available.
Former Wallabies, Scotland and Reds assistant coach Matt Taylor would bend over backwards for the job, and probably has the best resume of any possible candidate without head coach experience at the top level.
Another alternative is also being floated.
Scott Johnson, a former Rugby Australia Director of Rugby, has been a consultant for Queensland Rugby’s High Performance Committee for the past couple of years.
This masthead understands it’s possible he may become the head coach, with a team under him composed of Matt Taylor, Mick Heenan and the highly regarded Zane Hilton.
Johnson has worked in high-ranking rugby positions and coaching roles all over the world.
He knows the rugby landscape like few others, but he hasn’t been a head coach since he held the interim role for Scotland’s men’s team in 2014.
He is part of the committee looking at how to replace Thorn and move forward – perhaps the perfect position to put himself forward for the job.
That would sound awfully like another global search discovering the solution is already “in house”.
