The champion player is well on his way to becoming a champion coach after tasting success in his first year of mentoring and taking Queensland Country from the wooden spoon to NRC champions on Saturday.

The perennial NRC battlers had won just five games in their first three seasons but Thorn completed Country's remarkable turnaround with a 42-28 win against the Canberra Vikings in the grand final.

The 59-Test All Black and Rugby World Cup winner spoke passionately following the win in the capital and said there was plenty of talent in Australian rugby, it just needed to be harnessed.

"These guys care about each other and their cause of what they're trying to achieve and who they represent, you can have all the game plans in the world but it doesn't mean anything unless you bring that to it and they've got it in spades," Thorn said.

"They talk about New Zealand and the talent that's coming through but there is talent in this country, you've just got to train them right and you've got to remember what rugby is about."

Thorn became the third Reds coached in 18 months when he was appointed five weeks ago, with the club desperate for a saviour following its rapid decline following a maiden Super Rugby title in 2011.

The Reds board have enlisted one of the most respected figures in world rugby to resurrect the club and are hoping Thorn brings the same success he enjoyed with Country.

Thorn coached the Reds under-20s to a national title this season and said he'll try to bring success back to the senior side, but emphasised he's still a rookie coach and said if he's not the man for the job then he will happily move on.

"At the Reds I'm just trying to contribute, I'm not a 15-year veteran coach, I don't necessarily see myself being a long term coach, I could be doing something else in a couple of years, I don't know," Thorn said.

"But I'll contribute while there's a need there, the board approached me and I'll serve the club as best I can and anything I know is good I'll pour in there and what will come of it will come of it.

"Hopefully there are some good results but if I'm not the answer then get someone else in, that's fine."

Thorn won every trophy under the sun during an illustrious 22-year playing career in rugby league and rugby union which included NRL premierships and Super Rugby titles.

The 42-year-old said the secret to his success was simply playing in good teams and after finally hanging up the boots last year Thorn admitted he finds it tough watching from the sideline.

"I was lucky to be part of some stuff in my playing career but as a coach it's a different ball game??? you're sitting on the sideline and you can't do anything, and I like doing stuff," Thorn said.

"It's very awkward, I'm more of an action guy so it's very hard for me to sit there but that's what it is now, I've had my time, it's over."

Thorn kicks off his Queensland tenure when the Reds face the Melbourne Rebels on the road on February 23.