By World Biggest
July 21st 2009 @ 8:05am
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Brad Thorn – a modern day sporting freak
Watching the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday I couldn’t help but admire the work of Brad Thorn. At age 34 he is still representing the All Blacks and playing with the enthusiasm and ferocity of a 24 year old.
How this warrior keeps performing at the elite level in two different codes is just amazing.
He made his name first as a rugby league second rower for the Broncos, Queensland and the Kangaroos – winning silverware with all three teams.
Having conquered League he fulfilled his dream as a kid to represent the All Blacks.
This was a gutsy move on so many levels. He chased his dream and against all odds was selected in the mighty All Blacks team via the Canterbury Crusaders football factory.
Having ticked that box he decided he hadn’t got League out of his system and returned to the Broncos winning a fourth NRL Premiership in 2006.
Finally he was done with League and needed to scratch his Union itch one last time.
His return to the Crusaders in 2008 netted him his first Super 14 title, thus becoming the first player to win an NRL Premiership and Super 14 title.
He went on to play for the All Blacks in 2008 and again is a feature this year.
Thorn joins Bill Hardcastle as the only person to represent the Kangaroos and All Blacks.
In the modern day, Brad Thorn is a sporting freak.
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(30)
sledgeross said | July 21st 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
I agree mate, I commented on this the other night. He is still one of the best forwards on the park, and I have no doubt he could still play NRL.
Maybe next year ehh lol
LeftArmSpinner said | July 21st 2009 @ 8:47am | Report comment
I agree. The wallabies could learn a lot.
Brett McKay said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:07am | Report comment
guys, do you reckon Thorn would have come back to rugby the second time if he wasn’t eligible for the ABs??
Rusty said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
Incredible achievments and to my mind the most successful league to union convert of all time
Chris Beck said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:19am | Report comment
I still think Thorn could play on the blindside, although I will admit that I’m probably not in the majority with this belief.
True Tah said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
I only wished he had wanted to play for the Wallabies as opposed to the All Blacks, he could have shown Notso Sharpe a few things about a tight forward is supposed to play.
Who Needs Melon said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
100% agree. I’d been thinking the same thing myself. NOT the sort of player that will shine in the stat sheets but DEFINITELY a player that will win you games.
Spiro Zavos said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:28am | Report comment
The impressive thing about Brad Thorn’s return to the All Blacks a second time around is that he has become an excellent lineout jumper. He is significantly shorter than most second-rowers, although he is equally more broader than his opponents (except for Bakkies Botha). But Thorn has developed a strong, accurate leap at number 2 in the lineout. When he first started with the Crusaders, Robbie Deans spent hours with him throwing an old boot for him to catch. This relentless practice now seems to have paid off. The thing about Thorn’s play is that although the All Blacks use him a bit as a battering ram in the middle of the field, he plays very tight around the rucks and mauls and adds his heft to the collision contest in a way that Nathan Sharpe and others should learn from.
Given his fitness and dedication he will probably go on to 2011, which would be a remarkable achievement.
OldManEmu said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:41am | Report comment
Brad Thorn is truly a freak. If he wore a 10 or 12 on his back he would be world famous. I believe he is more valuable to the ABs than any other, including McCaw. I once heard, after the 2006 NRL premiership, that he had not touched a drop of alcohol for three years, and that these days rarely drinks alcohol. Personally I cannot imagine such a desolate existence without an old friend, but if true, the story goes to show the lengths of dedication the man goes to in achieving his best.
Good piece World’s.
True Tah said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:43am | Report comment
OME
Thorn is a born-again Christian which might explain why he doesnt drink.
sheek said | July 21st 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment
Brad Thorn is a great rugby player, but he’s an even greater human being, which perhaps explains his real value to the All Blacks.
Worlds Biggest said | July 21st 2009 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Wouldn’t you love to have him in the Wallabies Team. The All Blacks are very lucky to have him. I still remember vividly his back slam tackle on John Smit last year in the Tri Nations. To successfully cross codes twice is remarkable.
katzilla said | July 21st 2009 @ 10:59am | Report comment
Rusty, I’d definately say hes the Best Forward to ever cross over. But as far as sucess goes you can’t really go past Jason Robinson. World Cup, Super League Titles etc. Fingers crossed Thorn will have a World Cup come 2011
Thorn gives us that ‘Presence’ that we need in tight and around the fringes. If any of you remember the 2nd France game, he was standing on the side of the ruck defending and Taunting the french to run it at him. They set up a couple of guys infront of him then went the other way. Now thats presence.
Worlds Biggest said | July 21st 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
Katzilla, I think it’s Thorn all the way in regards to best ever convert. It is incredibly difficult in fact almost impossible for a League forward to make it in Union. Thorn has not only achieved this everest but is a star for the best team in the World. Robinson was fantastic and would be my number 2 convert.
Terry Kidd said | July 21st 2009 @ 11:19am | Report comment
Circa Tuqiri’s now cancelled contract …. Brad Thorn is not only more valuable as a player, but also as a person, exactly the sort of senior player you want to help lead and guide a squad. He’s the man.
katzilla said | July 21st 2009 @ 11:54am | Report comment
I agree worlds biggest, I just dont agree hes the most successful as rusty stated.
The Link said | July 21st 2009 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
Thorn is a phenomenon. The fact that he’s done the switch more than once back into the elite level speaks volumes. He’s held his own, if not dominated SOO and Bledisloe games, which is the pinnicle in this part of the world
Good peice. I’m assuming you meant that Thorn had won 4 NRL premierships with Brisbane? (97, 98, 00, 06).
Brisbane won their 6th premiership in 2006 (5 if you don’t count Super League)
92 93 (97 – SL) 98 00 06
ohtani's jacket, said | July 21st 2009 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
It’ll be a sad, sad day when Brad Thorn hangs them up. He’s become such a better player than he was when he first switched codes. The irony here is that Henry didn’t want him in 2004, and if not for Deans, Thorn would’ve gone to Europe at the end of 2007. Deans had to actually convince the NZRU to sign him, as their recruitment office deemed him a “poor investment.”
You can read the whole Brad Thorn story here — http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/brad-thorn-an-unconventional-path-1036444.html
retired rucker said | July 21st 2009 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
This bloke is as hard as they come, I have to say a look into his upbringing might shed some light on what it takes besides genetics to make classic tight 5 forward. As an ex lock I’m always looking in s14 and our local perth club comp for future players in his mold. Haven’t spotted one yet. I’d go as far as saying he is probably the AB’s fittest player @34 and no one, not even RM puts in as much physically as Thorne. Maybe we can genetically modify sharpie!
Rusty said | July 21st 2009 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Robinson was for me more electric but then he was a back and would stand out as he accelerated and spiralled through tackler after would be tackler. I just think that the conversion for a forward is that much harder and Thorn is the spine through which the AB pack is based, his work isnt flashy but it is very effective. Take him out the equation and lets see how much good ball the backline gets. You could also argue that Thorn was a more successful leaguie in the first place. Granted he doesnt yet have world cup medal but I would rule him out being in the AB tight five come 2011. So for me it would be Thorn and then Robinson even though I dont hold my breath when Brad has the ball in hand
Rusty said | July 21st 2009 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
on another angle – interesting to note that arguably the two hardest lock forwards Thorn and Botha are both devout Christians and family men who hardly touch drink. You wouldnt think it if you were the one on the other side of the ruck about to be “cleared”
CraigB said | July 21st 2009 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
Rusty – Don’t put Botha on the same plane as Thorn. Thorn is a true hard nut who gives it and takes fairly and without complaint. Botha is a cheap-shot merchant who squels innocance when he is occasionally caught out.
thorn is a great player and easily my favourite AB (or as a Wallaby supporter does that make him my least hated
)
Rusty said | July 21st 2009 @ 2:51pm | Report comment
LOL
Didnt want to start a discussion on the merits of Botha vs Thorn, I would just say they are both integral to their teams success. Just making a point that each teams enforcer is off pitch a different persona
I respect a majority of the opposition players but for some reason Nonu is losing mine. Maybe its the eyeliner or the De Wet Barry/Butch James no arms head high tackle style he is developing
Greg Russell said | July 21st 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
Somewhere between a population of 4 million and 20 million, a country changes from being little to being big. So New Zealand is little whereas Australia is big. Thus in NZ things like this happen to you:
Brad Thorn lives in the street next to mine, and my daughter has just started at school in the same year as Brad’s eldest son, Brendan (who apparently has already shown himself to be outstanding at school sports).
If I see Brad I will tell him that he has an army of fans at The Roar. I will also warn my daughter not to mess with BT Jr at playtime!
OldManEmu said | July 21st 2009 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
The best thing about Thorne’s reported devotion to religion is that I had not ever heard him mention it, in the way that most US Christian athletes thank the Lord after a victory. It speaks to the man that he is devout and yet does not shout it from the roof. Greg please do tell the great man that he is much admired this side of the ditch.
katzilla said | July 21st 2009 @ 11:59pm | Report comment
Let me guess Greg – Your next door neighbour worked on the set of Lord of the rings? Am I right?
ohtani's jacket, said | July 22nd 2009 @ 12:01am | Report comment
My next door neighbour in NZ made the whales in Whale Rider.
mcxd said | July 22nd 2009 @ 12:48am | Report comment
thanks god you dont live next to Jake the muss. Brad Thorn the best covert ? i would have thought big willie mason could give him a challenge if he converted. …yeah ok im joking.
ohtani's jacket, said | July 22nd 2009 @ 1:42am | Report comment
Actually, my friend lived next door to Jake the Muss. No kidding. Greg speaks the truth.
Rusty said | July 22nd 2009 @ 8:40am | Report comment
wouldnt go round for some eggs if I was you