Brad Thorn wants a "little break" and the Queensland Reds' coach has probably earned it after signing off from 30 consecutive years in football with a gut-wrenching Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final loss to the Chiefs.
The visitors scored three tries to two in Hamilton on Saturday but fell 29-20, Damian McKenzie kicking all five penalty attempts and two conversions to ensure the top-ranked side avoided becoming the first New Zealand team to lose a home play-off game to an Australian side.
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Thorn won't coach the Reds next season, the dual international keen for a break after six years at the helm that followed on immediately from his incredible playing career that began in 1994 with the Brisbane Broncos.
A 5-9 regular season summed up their frustrations, with star prop Taniela Tupou (Achilles) and key recruit Luke Jones (neck) not playing at all and constant other injuries forcing the coach to get creative.
But he still had some tricks up his sleeve, repurposing winger Filipo Daugunu as an outside centre with devastating defensive effect before he too was injured in Saturday's near miss.
"Easily the word that comes to mind is proud of our men," Thorn said post-game.
"We have 11 guys out; no-one in the media talks about that, we don't talk about it either.
"You put a lot in ... representing the state I've grown up in (has been an) absolute honour for me.
"Time for me to have a bit of a break now. It was a solid shift, six years. So a little break, then refresh."
Captain Tate McDermott, whose career has blossomed alongside Thorn, hoped the team did him proud despite falling short of history.
"He's been an absolute trooper for us and I just want to say thank you," he said.
"What he's done to turn around this club's been phenomenal.
"He's a proud man and hopefully we did a bit tonight to put a smile on his face."
