Evergreen Thorn set for another Super Rugby season

Updated October 10, 2012 12:54:02

Evergreen dual international Brad Thorn is reportedly set to write a final chapter in his remarkable playing career by returning to Super Rugby with New Zealand franchise the Highlanders.

The former All Blacks lock, who played for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia in rugby league, has been playing rugby union in Japan and Ireland since helping New Zealand win last year's Rugby World Cup.

But the Otago Daily Times reports Thorn, who will turn 38 in February, has met with Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph and is believed to have agreed to play for the Dunedin-based franchise next season.

Thorn previously played Super Rugby for the Crusaders between 2001 and 2011, before returning to rugby league for a second stint with the Brisbane Broncos from 2005 to 2007.

He has played 200 top grade rugby league games for the Broncos, 14 for Queensland and eight matches for Australia.

In rugby union Thorn has played 92 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders and 60 Tests for the All Blacks.

However a move to the Highlanders would be a fitting career finale for Thorn, who was born in Mosgiel just outside Dunedin where the team is based.

He would add experience and steel to a Highlanders forward pack that already includes new signing All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock and All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore.

Thorn left for Japan last year on a two-year deal to play for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues and that deal is due to expire in late February, paving his way to play in Super Rugby.

Earlier this year, he signed a three-month contract with Irish club Leinster and helped them to win Europe's Heineken Cup.

It added another honour to Thorn's long list, having tasted success at virtually every level in both codes.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 10, 2012 12:54:02

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Thorn completes unique treble

Updated May 20, 2012 15:03:43

Brad Thorn has always been a "big dreamer" but even he was struggling to grasp the enormity of his sporting career following Leinster's European Cup triumph.

The big man added the latest honour to his remarkable resume in Leinster's 42-14 thrashing of Irish rivals Ulster in front of almost 82,000 spectators at Twickenham.

The 37-year-old became the first player to win a World Cup, Super Rugby title and a European Cup.

He also became the oldest player to win the European Cup - but then again, he has been the first to do a lot of things.

"It was a real privilege to be part of that," Thorn said.

"To be a European champion as well as winning the (2011) World Cup is incredible.

"I would have just been happy with all my NRL stuff and do some cool stuff over there.

"But I have always been a big dreamer.

"Years ago I never dreamed that what happened in my NRL career would happen.

"Now I just don't believe it again in union. To do and win all I have is amazing."

Thorn was only signed up on a short-term contract by Leinster in March because of an injury crisis.

Like most of his career, he came out a winner as Leinster collected the cup for a third time in four seasons.

Not that the former Brisbane Broncos and Crusaders star was ready to start discussing his retirement plans.

"Most of all I love the camaraderie," he said.

"As a six-year-old I used to get nervous before a game playing with my mates. Now, as a 37-year-old I still get nervous before a game with my mates. It's so special.

"It's not so much about what's going to happen next. It's just about enjoying today and only the Lord knows what will happen in the future. We shall see how it works out.

"Physically I have always been lucky. I feel pretty good. Mentally, that is the last thing I am thinking about!"

He has the chance to add another title next weekend.

Leinster will meet Ospreys in the final of the PRO12 competition in Dublin on Sunday.

"So I have to keep a little bit of an edge," Thorn said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, ireland

First posted May 20, 2012 15:03:43

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Not just another final for Thorn

Posted July 7, 2011 16:14:00

Brad Thorn will play his last match for the Crusaders on Saturday night and he believes it will the most important of his extraordinary 17-year career.

Not because it is his Super Rugby swansong or a final triumph over the Queensland Reds could deliver his team an eighth title in 16 seasons.

It is because he is representing a region which has been suffering for six months, and there a responsibility to boost local morale in the wake of February's Christchurch earthquake.

Thorn is as tough as they come. In 17 seasons at the top level of both rugby codes, the former Brisbane Bronco and current All Black has never been sidelined by a serious injury.

But reliving the plight of his current home town, as well as the suffering seen in his original home during Queensland's floods, rubbed his raw emotions on Thursday.

The 36-year-old forward fought back tears as he spoke about the huge sense of pride the Crusaders feel about delivering a cherished title for the people of Canterbury.

Thorn was staying in Brisbane when the Queensland floods hit in January and was back in Christchurch a month later when the devastating quake struck.

He summed it up as "special the two teams representing those areas are playing" at a packed-out Lang Park.

"For me, this game is pretty darn important," the dual international said.

"It's been a big few months back there and I feel a responsibility, and there's more to this game.

"I've got to win a Super Rugby final before, it's cool. It's hard for me to get across what I'm saying but this is something for the people back there, and maybe the Reds feel the same way for Queensland people as well."

But Thorn is wary the seven-time champions can not afford to allow the emotion and motivation of the situation to creep in against the Reds.

"You have to let that go to concentrate on your job," he said.

"If you concentrate too much on that stuff, it can be quite heavy on you and affect your performance.

"You've got to be careful not to let it drown you."

He said the adversity and 100,000-plus kilometres of travel, brought about by the lack of a home ground, had brought the Crusaders players and coaches together closer.

They do not need to talk about the hardship.

"We've been living it," the 50-Test lock said.

"The aftershocks - it's psychological warfare from mother nature."

But they have not complained once as they have travelled to almost all major centres around New Zealand, plus Brisbane (twice), Perth, South Africa (twice) and London this season while their families stayed at home.

The stress is set to see star centre Sonny Bill Williams move to play with the Chiefs next season to be closer to his mother.

"The feedback we're getting is the people are getting a real boost out of our performances," Thorn said.

"I think the people back home are enjoying it and are really proud of us and we're proud of them.

"I just feel so proud of the people back there, just like the Queenslanders who came out to help (during the floods). That was so cool to see.

"That's a massive positive that's come out of tough times."

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, qld, brisbane-4000, new-zealand

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Thorn to play in Japan after World Cup

Posted April 21, 2011 13:22:00

Lock Brad Thorn is set to end his All Blacks career following this year's World Cup in New Zealand after he agreed to sign a two-contract with Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues.

The 36-year-old Thorn will join the Japanese club at the conclusion of the September 9-October 23 tournament.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has a policy of only selecting players based in New Zealand and the move to Japan will therefore end Thorn's international career.

Born in New Zealand, Thorn moved to Australia as a child and forged a successful rugby league career before changing codes three times. He has now accumulated 50 Test caps for the All Blacks.

He joins prop John Afoa and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu as long-term All Blacks who have said they would leave New Zealand after the World Cup, while French club Toulouse said on Wednesday Luke McAlister had signed until the end of the 2013/14 season.

The NZRU has asked the All Blacks to clarify their playing future before the World Cup with captain Richie McCaw and five-eighth Daniel Carter still to confirm if they will stay or leave New Zealand afterwards.

- Reuters

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