Wallabies great Toutai Kefu wants to succeed Brad Thorn as Queensland Reds coach
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On the same day the Queensland Rugby Union inducted Toutai Kefu into its Hall of Fame, the World Cup-winning Wallaby declared he wants to succeed Brad Thorn as Reds coach.
“It’s my dream job,” he told The Roar.
After six seasons in charge, Thorn will stand down at season’s end.
That could come as soon as Saturday, with Thorn’s Reds likely needing to beat the Drua in Fiji to keep their finals dreams alive.
The Reds have yet to settle on who will succeed Thorn, although it’s believed they want an Australian and preferably a local Queensland coach.
Several Queensland figures have already applied or intend to at the conclusion of this year’s season, where a shortlist will be drawn up in the coming weeks.
But Kefu, who will take Tonga to a second straight World Cup campaign and is the QRU’s vice-president, confirmed he will apply for the vacant role.
“Yeah, definitely interested,” he told The Roar. “The timing seems right.
“For me, it’s a bit of a throw at the stumps. There are going to be other candidates probably, that have a much, much stronger CV, and a lot more experience.
“But I’m a 100 gamer for the Reds, I’m a Queenslander through and through. I’ve coached Tonga for the last eight years. And that, in itself, has presented, I’m not going to say challenges, but learning opportunities. I’ve learned a wide variety of skill sets from that job; it pretty much could prepare you for anything.
“I’m just really passionate about the role. It’s my dream job. My vision is to one day coach the Reds and there’s no better timing than at the moment. So I’m going to apply, hopefully get an interview, and we’ll see where we go.”
There is a feeling outside of Ballymore that the next head coach has to upskill the current crop of Reds, with Thorn considered a motivator and follow-me leader.
Kefu, too, is internationally respected for his deeds on the footy field.
But the 49-year-old, who won the World Cup in 1999 and is considered one of the Wallabies’ greatest and most skillful No.8s, believes he can create an environment at the Reds that sees the franchise once again flourish.
“I think I’m more suited to the head coaching role,” he said.
“I think my strengths lie in that role. I definitely wouldn’t turn down an assistant’s role. If it was offered to me, certainly, I would definitely look at that. But I think my value and my strengths probably lie in the head coaching role.
“I think my strength is creating that environment, making really good connections to players and staff and demanding that respect within everyone and within the group, and creating an environment where everyone feels they belong.
“It’s really a big family, isn’t it? The successful teams, they play for each other and they’re well disciplined, they’re respectful. Certainly, that’s my strength and building those types of environments.
“But I certainly see the value in the technical, tactical part of the game. There’s also an array of assistants, who have a variety of technical, tactical knowledge.
“I’ve coached now for nearly 20 years, so I have been around.”
Kefu, who scored with his first touch for the Reds in 1995, described being inducted into the Reds’ Hall of Fame as an “honour and privilege”.
“At my age, you honestly do a lot more reflecting and, and looking back and it’s a great honour,” he said.
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