Seib appointed Reds Academy head coach

The Queensland Rugby Union has appointed Queensland Country and Brothers Premier Grade coach Rod Seib as the new Queensland Reds Academy head coach.

He will partner Paul Carozza at the Reds Academy who continues his 20 years of experience in talent identification and management.

Seib, who has nine years of Queensland Premier Rugby coaching experience, is currently preparing Brothers for Sunday’s Hospital Challenge Cup grand final against University of Queensland at Ballymore.

“Rod’s appointment further strengthens the QRU’s strategy to ensure we have the expertise to identify and develop emerging talent through Queensland’s pathway programs,” QRU CEO David Hanham said.

“With close to a decade of elite coaching experience within Queensland Premier Rugby, the NRC, plus Queensland Schoolboys, Rod has an in-depth knowledge of our pathway programs, which is backed by the proven success he’s had at various levels of the game.

“The combination of Rod and Paul in our Academy will ensure the future of Queensland Rugby’s elite talent is in good hands.”

Seib said that is was a privilege to be appointed to the role.

“I’m looking forward to offering my experience and knowledge of something I’m really passionate about.

“The prospect of working closely with Paul (Carozza) to help develop the future of Queensland Rugby, plus also the Reds coaching staff also excites me.

“Having coached both Brisbane City and Queensland Country, Queensland Schoolboys, plus being around Club Rugby as both a player and a coach, I know Queensland is a breeding ground for talent.

“The Reds Academy is a key part of the Queensland pathway in identifying and developing emerging Rugby talent here in this great state.”

After Brothers missed out on finals last year, Seib joined the club as head coach in the off-season and has helped steer them to the minor premiership and now a spot in Sunday’s decider against University of Queensland.

Before his time at the Brethren, he was an assistant coach at Bond University in 2018, while also serving as head coach with Queensland Schoolboys.

Prior to that he held the position of head coach at Sunnybank that included two grand final appearances, preliminary finalists in 2016, plus a premiership in 2011 as assistant coach.

Seib played 118 games for Sunnybank between 1995-2001 and has three caps for the Queensland Reds.

He also represented Queensland at U19 and U21 level, plus the Australian Sevens Rugby team in four IRB tournaments and was vice captain for the Australian Barbarians against Queensland Country in 2001.

Seib also played Rugby internationally in Scotland’s Premier Division 1 where he was awarded the competition’s Player of the Year in 2004.

For a second consecutive year, Seib will coach Queensland Country in the upcoming National Rugby Championship after he guided Country to their second-straight NRC grand final last year.

He was also the assistant coach of Brisbane City in 2014 and 2015 when they won back-to-back NRC titles, before taking on the head coaching role at City the following year.