Could the quarter-final clash between the Chiefs and the Reds serve as Brad Thorn’s swansong from New Zealand rugby?
Thorn, 48, has led the Reds for six seasons after an illustrious career playing in both rugby union and league, where he won a Rugby World Cup and three NRL premierships.
Starting his career in league, Thorn represented the Brisbane Broncos for 200 games and was a commanding figure for both Queensland in State of Origin and the Australian Kangaroos.
Switching codes to union in 2001, Thorn went on to represent the Crusaders, Highlanders and All Blacks and was integral to New Zealand’s World Cup win in 2011.
The dual-code international also played in England, Ireland and Japan before taking over the Reds in 2018.
However, Thorn has announced he will step away from the side at the end of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, meaning Saturday’s quarter-final against the Chiefs could be his last coaching on New Zealand soil.
With his future yet to be confirmed, former All Black Israel Dagg has discussed the type of coach Thorn is and where he believes Thorn will head to next.
“I played with Brad … he’s a wonderful motivator, that’s what you get from Brad,” Dagg told SENZ Breakfast.
“He’s pretty staunch, he’ll be tough on the team, he’ll have great standards, people won’t want to let him down just because he’s got that feel about him.
“He’s tough (and) he’s uncompromising so it’ll be interesting to see if he stays in the coaching realm.
“He played a lot of league too and he did a fantastic job there.”
With 11 appearances in State of Origin, eight for Australia and 200 NRL caps, Dagg believes a return to league could be on the cards for the esteemed former player.
“(I) could potentially see him maybe just dipping his toes in the water there and then maybe heading back to league, a game that he played from the start and picked up rugby later,” he added.
“I could potentially see him going back there and having a dabble in it.
“If not, then offshore … (coaching) overseas would probably suit him.”
Several former league players have taken up roles coaching national union sides, namely Andy Farrell, Ireland’s head coach, and David Kidwell, Argentina’s defence coach.
Dagg believes this route could be an alternate option for Thorn, who could use his league skills to add a new dimension to a national union side.
While his future is yet to be determined, Thorn will hope the Reds can cause an upset over the Chiefs to extend his career beyond the quarterfinals.
The two sides will go head-to-head on Saturday night at FMG Stadium Waikato.