Brad Thorn left nothing on the training paddock but blood-flecked scabs.
In the heat, in the rain, in the sideways sleet of Dunedin, didn’t matter. Long as it hurt. If there was pain he was gaining something, he was growing, evolving as player and man.
Thorn didn’t so much test himself out of his comfort zone as run around in the nude in zones full of gravel and pointy sticks, and leopards.
And from all this flagellation grew a legend: The Man Who Played Forever. Brad Thorn became rugby’s Father Time.
He turned up to training with Canterbury Crusaders early in 2001 not knowing anyone or – importantly – how to play rugby union.
But he was keen to learn, and to prove and ingratiate himself among fellow Kiwis.
At the end of a fitness session he’d rip off another fitness session. Extras on extras. Just him, alone, running up the field, hitting the deck, getting up, running, and repeat.
It was like there was a sergeant major in his ear. Drop! Get up! Run, you bastard!
His new teammates looked out from the sheds and wondered: what the hell is the mad Mungo doing?
The Crusaders of 2001 were New Zealand’s finest. They’d won three straight Super XII titles. They were full of All Blacks. And when Thorn turned up, a well-known league man from flashy bloody Aussie, the locals weren’t like, “Hurrah! Brad Thorn is here!”
Good as he’d been in league, as ‘famous’ as he was, taciturn South Island types weren’t enamoured.
Indeed they were, well, a bit mean.
But he adapted and overcame, as he always did, and learnt scrummaging and lineouts (belting people came naturally) and went on to play for the All Blacks before returning for another premiership with Brisbane Broncos, State of Origin titles with Queensland and back to NZ to win the World Cup.
Two weeks after ridding New Zealand of that great baboon on its back, Thorn was running about for Munakata Sanix Blues in a near-empty Sanix Genkai Ground in Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture.
Brad Thorn (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
So revered was the All Blacks giant that a dozen teammates would follow him into the gym to do what he did. There we so many that the coach asked him to stop it – the real fitness guy was losing face.
Aged 37 Thorn played for Leinster in Heineken Cup, and won the comp.
Aged 38 he turned out for the Highlanders, played his 100th Super Rugby match, and won the comp.
Aged 40 he announced his retirement.
Aged 41 he ran out for Queensland Country in the National Rugby Competition.
Queensland Reds thought about signing him. Offered him a coaching gig instead.
He looked after the under-20s and Queensland Country (who, yes, won the comp).
And then, after 462 games and 17 titles, the indomitable Brad Thorn finally stopped playing. And today he’s coach of Queensland Reds. And if any of the man’s method infiltrates players’ mindsets, the Reds will remain the best team in Australia. And could begin to knock over some of the good teams eastward.
What’s new?
Former Melbourne Storm strike weapon Suliasi Vunivalu, due to return in early rounds from hamstring complaints, looms as the difference between Queensland knocking over more Kiwis than the Chiefs. He was a dominant force in league, an all-running athlete and acrobat. Queensland – Australia – is hanging out to see him play.
Suliasi Vunivalu (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Star on the rise
Michael Lynagh’s young bloke Tom (Louis is the Lynagh in England with Harlequins) looks the spit of his dad and impressed Reds captain Liam Wright in a trial by playing a “commanding the role at 10”.
“He put his body on the line and played some smart footy,” Wright told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Jock Campbell can also play 10 (and wing and fullback) while Lawson Creighton is among the playmaking options.
Who’s under the pump?
Anyone who doesn’t jump when Thorn says. And whoever’s tending to Vunivalu’s thighs.
We’re excited to announce the launch of The Roar Rugby Podcast co-hosted by our experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones and featuring some special guests. You can check out the trailer below and the guys will be back for a full Super Rugby preview on Wednesday.
Best-case scenario
They win the Super 12.
Not joking. For consider:
There are Wallabies in 9, 10, 12, 13 – Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia.
Strike on the wings – Vunivalu, Campbell, Filipo Daugunu.
Wallabies in the back five – Wright, Harry Wilson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Hooker Alex Mafi was the leading try-scorer in the Super Rugby AU competition with six (equal with a fullback, Tom Banks of the Brumbies). Richie Asiata, 25, was forged under Thorn at Queensland Country.
And there’s a tighthead prop, Taniela Tupou, who can do things a tighthead prop should not be able to do.
And around all those guys is a coterie of big lumps in their early 20s being forged in the furnace of Field Marshal Thorn.
They won’t lose because they aren’t fit.
In 2021 the Reds beat the Brumbies three times, including the final, when O’Connor scored the match-winner four minutes into injury time. They also won 40-38 in a rip-snorter in Canberra.
They also flogged the Waratahs twice, which always pleases Queenslanders.
Worst-case scenario
Lose to the Waratahs.
Round 1 predicted starting team
15. Jock Campbell
14. Ilaisa Droasese
13. Jordan Petaia
12. Hunter Paisami
11. Filipo Daugunu
10. James O’Connor
9. Tate McDermott
8. Harry Wilson
7. Liam Wright
6. Angus Scott-Young
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
4. Ryan Smith
3. Taniela Tupou
2. Alex Mafi
1. Feao Fotuaika
Others
Richie Asiata, George Blake, Angus Blyth, Lopeti Faifua, Harry Hoopert, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Seru Uru, Dane Zander, Lawson Creighton, Josh Flook, Mac Grealy, Isaac Henry, Spencer Jeans, Tom Lynagh, Hamish Stewart, Kalani Thomas, Suliasi Vunivalu
Matt Cleary
Expert
Ha. Mate, I made the same educated guess as you. Brad Thorn wasn’t telling his players let alone a gibberer on the Roar who’d be starting. My Rebels predicted starting lineup will be closer to the mark given they named it Thursday
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Somewhat unsurprisingly, you were right, I was wrong
Phil
Roar Rookie
Is the predicted team your team Matt or the likely coach’s team? If it’s your team, how’s Vunivali going to fire them to a title when he’s not in your starting XV?
Geoff
Guest
It's Rennies team and Rennies team only. If he wants to select dud players like his best mate Cheika did and not in form players it his test coaching career that will be on the line sooner rather than later. Two years of failure is not a great look so far from him.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Let’s rewind. I’m responding to the comment: I’d be surprised if BT became a great man manager……McKellar seems to have those skills. You are talking about him increasing the squad’s experience as though it’s intentional but we know that a number of those that left were not planned for. Fines-Leleiwasa - Albert Pasitoa - Ioane Kuenzle - Creighton Tapine - Feauai-Sautia Kata - Clark Hansen - Mogg Can’t be universally looked at as upgrading the squad. CFS is the only one I think might be an immediate upgrade and Albert/Creighton are ones we don’t know how they work out in the long run. Think it’s hard to argue the other three advance the squad.
savant
Roar Rookie
Well I think he's done both. Drafted some for development and taken a few experienced ones for bench strength. And I'm sorry I gave the wrong impression. its not just for the silverware. Laurie Fisher has publicly commented about how they needed to have more experience on the bench after last year when playing the kiwi sides. I dont see McKellar as cynical at all. I dont think there is a better coach at drafting for the future and making tough decisions to move people on for the betterment of the club than him in Australia. eg. Ikitau for TK, Lonergan for Powell. He also has a great eye for talent - drafting Lolesio, Swain, Ikitau, Pasitoa etc out of school when the Reds weren't that fussed about them. Took Banks when the Reds thought others better. He's picked talent from Melbourne, NZ and the Shute Shield. Not saying its him alone. He probably doesnt have time but he's got eyes out there who know talent and he backs them. He's a top notch coach and will leave plenty of talent behind when he goes.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
He really has it all but he’s too soft. Put him at 13 and leave him there.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Not pretending for a moment to have your level of insight to this matter but as long as I am not made to feel shame at my inadequacy: 1 Fotuaika 2 Mafi 3 Tupou 4 LSL 5 Blyth 6 Wright 7 Mcreight 8 Wilson 9 McDermott 10 O'Connor 11 Daugunu 12 Paisami 13 Flook 14 Petaia 15 Campbell I think Eru and Scott-Young give great back 5 coverage from the bench
Ducky
Guest
“ The curse of the next big Aussie thing in rugby…” When was the last time you’d get out of bed for this promise? 20 years ago maybe??
Adsa
Roar Rookie
The European tour is being viewed through some pretty rose tinted glasses: Scotland beat Wallyb's 15-13 England beat Wallyb's 32-15 Wales beat Wallyb's 29-28
jeznez
Roar Guru
Think anyone in the frame for France RWC will at least extend through 2023. Really not seeing many at any club contracted beyond that though.
Stu
Roar Rookie
I guess so. But it looks to me like Petaia just needs a lot more time experiencing the tactics that grown men/professionals bring to the game.. To me, he still looks like the wunderkid who easily ran rings around all the other kids in the school rep sides, and is still playing off that experience set. But no chance that works against grown professionals playing at the highest level. I think he needs a few more seasons against hardened professionals, to learn what works at this level - as all the junior guys do. There's no doubt he's a spectacular athlete - just give him more time to evolve beyond the kid who literally ran rings around the other kids. Gotta figure out how to beat vastly better adult players now, but once he does, the sky's the limit for him.
Markus
Roar Rookie
"The European tour told you who he wants." Which is why Quade, Kerevi and McMahon all toured.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Ross, McInerney, Valetini, Scott, Ikitau and Wright are all end of 2023 thankfully. Frost and Lonergan x 2 I am pretty confident will re-sign, probably pushing for a bigger contract on the back of more time this year. The ones off-contract this year I am least sure on would be Luke Reimer, Scott Sio and Folau Fainga'a. Reimer could look for game time elsewhere (Rebels or Force maybe?), Sio is on the test outer, and Fainga'a is in a spot with huge competition.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Also I think McKellar knows this is his last year and wants another shot at silverware which is why he drafted experience. I don’t think that’s what has happened. If it was that would be incredibly selfish of him. Letting the future of the club leave to chase a title without setting up the squad for future success. Having just lived through that with Gibson at the Tahs, I’d hate to see that for the Brumbies
Ray
Roar Rookie
"Fit Vunivalu could fire Reds to title". I wonder why you would think that a winger would be significant in winning a series, and compared to the core players? A winger might win a game through a piece of brilliance, but the players that make a series difference, are those that play in the team core.
savant
Roar Rookie
Then Thorn immediately dropped McReight after the Chiefs game and sent him back to club rugby.
savant
Roar Rookie
But McKellar didn't lose any first choice players. Thorn lost all 3. McKellar has drafted and developed so much talent in recent years that many fringe players were induced away with the prospect of starting. Lets not forget the Brumbies are almost an all Wallaby side. Also I think McKellar knows this is his last year and wants another shot at silverware which is why he drafted experience.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Thanks Matt and a nice summary of Thorn's career in rugby. It is pretty amazing when you read it like that. I'm not sure a headline like this isn't putting a curse on the guy and certainly it will be a big ask to think that the success or not at the Reds relies on one ex-league player who hasn't yet demonstrated more than a lot of potential if he stays injury free. It will be interesting to see if Thorn looks at Petaia as a 13 or a 15. TBH He hasn't impressed me that much at 13 and I think that maybe 15 would suit his skills better, although either way he needs to work on his defence. It'll be interesting to see how the Reds forwards respond to the way DR basically shut them out last year. I'm hoping they dig deep to try and prove him wrong
savant
Roar Rookie
I agree with this. The lack of collision power is a problem for the Reds and was really laid bare in TT last year. However they can grind, work hard defensively, and have a lot of ball playing attacking forwards that integrate with the backs well so they can make a fist of games even when their forwards aren't achieving gain line dominance.