Closer to pensioner than debutant, Brad Thorn continues to defy both his age and the medical world as he prepares to become captain-coach at the ripe old age of 41.
Thorn last played professional rugby union in 2015 with Leicester. In November last year Thorn shocked the rugby world at his first media appearance as a member of the Queensland Reds when he told reporters he would play next season if needed.
“There’s always an urge – I actually said at the time I didn’t retire, I’m just playing less now,” Thorn said.
“If things were on dire straits I’m happy to help out.”
While it’s not quite the Queensland Reds who he will be suiting up for, Thorn’s appearance in round five of the NRC for Queensland Country will mark his 23rd season of professional football having debuted for the Broncos in 1994.
The All Blacks legend never really wanted to retire. He had stated that he was only retiring because he felt “he should,” and that he was at “a stage where mainly I’m just playing here because I want to play.”
Queensland Country will look to the guidance of Thorn as player-coach in an attempt to claim their first victory of the NRC competition.
In a distinguished career spanning 460 games to date, Thorn has won premierships with the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL in 1997 and 2000, a Rugby World Cup in 2011 with New Zeland and has lifted the Bledisloe Cup on five occasions.
If Thorn has his way the ARU may need to develop a seniors exemption for the salary cap in the coming years.
@RugbyReg @BMcSport @steve_l15 here's a stat for you. The combined age of the two starting locks is only 29 days older than Brad Thorn.
— Will McDougall (@WillMcDougall) September 22, 2016
Exciting young NRC debutant on the bench for Queensland Country this weekend v @Rams_Rugby. Brad Thorn. Age 41. Remember the name.
— Iain Payten (@iainpayten) September 22, 2016
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