Brad Thorn is confident his playing return at the ripe old age of 41 won’t hamper the progression of his younger teammates in the National Rugby Championship.
Thorn, a former dual-code international and World Cup winner with the All Blacks, is set to resume his playing career for Queensland Country in this year’s NRC while also serving as assistant coach.
In truth, the move comes as little surprise – ever since Thorn joined the Queensland Reds as a development coach late last year, there have been persistent rumours he would eventually pull on the boots once again.
That never ended up happening, but a roster reshuffle triggered by an injury to Brisbane City’s Cadeyrn Neville led to a sudden demand at Ballymore for an extra second-rower, providing Thorn with the opportunity he has been waiting for.
Just don’t call it a comeback.
“I haven’t made a comeback. I always said I’m just playing less now,” Thorn said.
“I was keen to give them a different type of coaching, maybe side-by-side.
“I don’t feel I’m blocking anyone, and I won’t.
“I can’t see me playing every game, I don’t know what sort of minutes I’ll do.
“I don’t need any big attention about it, I just wanted to quietly play a few games. We’ll see how it goes.”
Thorn retired from professional rugby in May last year, bringing to a close a storied two-decade, two-sport, two-nation career, the likes of which probably won’t be seen again.
Not that his personal fitness routines have changed much.
“I’ve never stopped training. The only difference in my life from the last 20 years is I just wasn’t playing Saturday,” he said.
New Queensland Country coach Toutai Kefu, the former Reds and Wallabies No.8, is only one year older than Thorn.
“I get a bit embarrassed standing next to him sometimes,” Kefu said.
“He wants to play. I was actually trying to talk him out (of it).
“He’s keen. I think as a player on the field and as a coach, he can lead by example.”
The NRC kicks off its third season on August 27.
Pistol Pete
Guest
Yeah right born in NZ won a World Cup with the All Blacks still makes him a Australian? No just a kiwi who played for a league club and went real well.
Canetragic
Guest
Is the man indestructible?
The Sheriff
Guest
The Reds are lucky to have him. What a great role model for the young players.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Every week, as I watch the locals , I feel, just a couple of weeks of training and I could be out there. Good on you Brad, I'm about to start thanks to your example. Ofcourse I have a couple of decades on Brad and that may be an impediment.
In Brief
Guest
Perhaps Spiro should write an article on how selfish he's being
Terry
Guest
He`s Big Bad Brisbane Bronco Brad Thorn ,. Not a Kiwi..
Boz the Younger
Guest
Awesome to see him playing, it is a great example for middle-aged men which gives us no excuses for not maintaining our fitness.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
This was actually poorly communicated by the Reds. Thorn is playing because Neville is injured, but until today this was not mentioned anywhere. That has meant that of their 4 locks, only one will play NRC (Lukhan Tui) with Simmons and Douglas on Wallaby duty. Considering that there are 6 lock spots every week in the QLD NRC teams this makes sense to have Thorn as an option to take 1 of the 5 free spots. However for anybody who initially read it they would have seen Thorn listed and Caydern Neville nowhere to be seen on any squad.
AndyS
Guest
Wouldn't matter if he was, he'd bring far more upside for the team, opposition players and the player kept on the bench than he'd cost.
Justin from Canberra
Guest
The Thorn in Kefi's side...... Apologies.
Mac
Guest
Great addition I feel. Good on him and what an opportunity for younger players to have this man playing with you. If he has the get up and go why not. This actually brings a buzz to the NRC for me. Kiwi or not he is worthy of our respect.
AGO74
Guest
If you are good enough you are old enough.