A Day in the Life of Rugby Coaching at Brisbane Boys’ College
It’s a typical Tuesday afternoon at Brisbane Boys’ College, and Brad Thorn is putting the First XV through their paces on the main pitch. With his distinct gravelly voice, he shouts, “I wanna hear the wind come out of the pad,” as the players focus on their tackle technique. The session moves onto chop tackles and jackaling at the breakdown, with Thorn actively demonstrating how to sharpen their skills.
At 50, Thorn still looks like he could compete at the highest level of rugby. As a 2011 World Cup winner, a 59-cap All Black, former rugby league star, and ex-Leinster player, he has seen it all in rugby. But watching him coach the students at BBC shows that his passion for the game remains undiminished.
Thorn recently stepped down as head coach of the Queensland Reds and has been an assistant coach at BBC for the past two years. His three sons have also attended the school, creating a strong personal connection. Meanwhile, head coach Dan Leo, who convinced Thorn to join the coaching staff, oversees some attack plays. A former Samoa, Wasps, and Perpignan lock, Leo commands respect from the players.
Leo met Thorn in a coffee shop in Brisbane after Thorn finished his tenure with the Reds. Now in the early stages of his own coaching career, Leo is thrilled to have Thorn on board. “Brad is a Queensland legend in two codes,” says Leo. “Having someone of his calibre bringing us all along has been awesome.”
Also involved in the coaching team is Ben Meehan, a former scrum-half for the Rebels, London Irish, and Gloucester. He recently retired from professional rugby and now works with the BBC backs and attack. Mason Gordon, who played Super Rugby with the Rebels and Reds before retiring this year due to concussion, is another key figure. He was the out-half when BBC last won a title in 2020 and now mentors young players hoping to follow in his footsteps.
After the 15-a-side games, Thorn returns to the forwards for a short but intense scrummaging session. He pushes them hard, but they are big boys and seem ready for the challenge. During a break, Thorn jokes about Britain’s Got Talent, comparing the judge Simon to his coaching style.
He believes in the potential of young men, drawing parallels to the young soldiers who fought in World War I and II. “When they’re challenged, they rise,” he says. Thorn emphasizes the importance of standards, fun, and discipline in his coaching philosophy.
BBC’s First XV includes several highly talented players, with eight of them having played for the Queensland Reds U18s under Leo. Two of them are part of the Australia U18s set-up. When outside centre Taione Taka arrives for training, the team celebrates his recent signing with the Reds. On the other hand, halfback Isaac Kefu faces challenges after suffering an ACL injury, but the team is confident in his recovery.
Stuart Mitchell, the school’s director of athletic development, highlights the physical prowess of the players, noting the strength of the props and the speed of the backs. For Thorn, the decision to return to school-level coaching was driven by a desire for purity and a learning environment.
The school has a strong Pacific Islands presence, which aligns with Leo’s passion for working with the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare organisation. Brisbane Boys’ College is part of the GPS competition, a breeding ground for pro rugby players. This year, several boys from GPS schools have been signed by French clubs, with more interest from Japanese, French, and Italian clubs.
Du Plessis, the director of rugby, ensures that the entire programme, from 10-year-olds to the First XV, uses consistent terminology. Thorn runs the Tartan Academy, focusing on individual skill development. The goal is to instil habits that benefit both education and life beyond rugby.
Paul Woodford, the school’s head of co-curricular activities, notes the impressive scale of the GPS competition. Matches draw crowds of over 5,000, with bagpipe players welcoming the teams onto the pitch. While other schools like Nudgee and Churchie have more titles, BBC is confident in its strong team this season.
The GPS season is a sprint, with nine weekends of matches and one bye for each team. The champion is determined by the team at the top of the table. Past alumni include Wallabies centre Len Ikitau, legendary Will Genia, and rugby league star Dane Gagai.
Despite the possibility of some players moving into rugby league, BBC only plays union. Having a Samoan legend like Leo as head coach is inspiring, as is the presence of Thorn. Thorn, originally from New Zealand, moved to Australia with his family and had a successful career in both rugby league and union. Recently, he discovered that 20% of his ancestry is Irish, adding another layer to his identity.
Thorn’s time with Leinster in 2012 was one of his happiest, helping Joe Schmidt’s side win the Heineken Cup. He fondly remembers the “war” against Clermont in the semi-final and the friendships formed during that time. Though he may not always stay in the spotlight, Thorn continues to quietly make an impact on those around him.
