By Liam Cook

Uniting forces at Toowoomba’s Downlands College, Kohan Herbert is once again collaborating with his mentor Garrick Morgan to lead Souths’ 2023 resurgence.

Captain Herbert has undertaken quite an odyssey to arrive at this point, but his impact is being felt far and wide since arriving home.

“I grew up on the Gold Coast playing my junior rugby for Nerang Bulls,” Herbert told Rugby News.

“Just moved back from spending five years living and playing rugby in New Zealand for Mount Maunganui and Bay of Plenty.”

While he acknowledges there’s plenty yet to play out this season, Herbert has been proud to lead his side out of the doldrums.

Helping Souths to four wins and three narrow defeats from seven contests, the Downlands College product has made an instant impact in his first Queensland Premier Rugby stint.

“I feel I’m leading from the front and contributing in my role,” he said.

A combative weapon who plays with a ‘clinical and chaotic’ approach, Herbert has received high praise from coach Morgan for his defensive attitude and application.

Currently equal first for the most tackles in the competition with 77, his quest for contact stems from mindset and practice.

“I feel I work very hard around the field and I’m not afraid to put my body on the line, but I also think when it’s time to execute I feel I can be clinical.

“For me tackling is a mentality. It’s something I’ve been taught throughout my career.

“My coaches Graham Hurls and Garrick Morgan have prepared us throughout the pre-season and in season training. For us this year defence is a massive focus and it’s something we work hard on every week before games.”

Herbert’s connection with his coach dates back to his junior playing days.

The former Wallaby has brought qualities to Souths that Herbert had been benefiting from for many years.

“Garrick is an awesome coach but an even better person, he coached both my brother and I.

“He has really helped me pave my career as a rugby player, and for the club he is massive.

“One thing about Garrick is he always puts the players and their families first, and for the short amount of time he has been back at Souths the difference he has made has been immense.”

The flanker was motivated to return to Australia to pursue more professional opportunities in the country he was born and raised.

For now though, Herbert is hellbent on leading Souths towards premiership contention in his first season in charge.