AFTER 460 professional games, 21 seasons and 17 major trophies across two codes, Brad Thorn has played his last game.
Thorn, 40, drew the curtain on his unparalleled rugby league and union career overnight when his Leicester Tigers suffered a semi-final defeat to Sam Burgess’ Bath outfit.
The match ended a journey that began on June 10, 1994 when Thorn was first named on a Brisbane Broncos bench alongside Glenn Lazarus (now a federal senator) and Terry Matterson (now entering his 11th season as a coach).
Since then, the dual-code ironman has displayed remarkable durability and amassed a list of accomplishments unmatched in either code.
“I have never seen a man so in love with the game,” Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill told the BBC last week. “He is a true rugby legend in both codes.
“I took a risk when we signed him. We had a lot of injuries and then we signed a 39-year-old who was coming with an injury and everyone raised their eyebrows. But he has been a great signing and we will miss his experience on and off the field.”
Thorn has won three NRL (1998, 2000, 2006), one Super League (1997) and one World Club Championship (1997) titles in two separate stints with the Broncos. He represented Brisbane on 200 occasions and was named in the team’s top 20 players as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations.
Dejected Tigers players Brad Thorn (l) and Ed Slater after their loss.Source: Getty Images
Thorn won two State of Origin titles with Queensland (1998, 1999) across 14 games and played eight Tests for the Kangaroos.
His achievements in the 15-man code are even more impressive.
Thorn won a Super 14 title (2008) with the Crusaders and a Heineken Cup (2012) with Leinster. He lifted the rugby World Cup in 2011, the Bledisloe on five occasions (2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) and the Tri-Nations three times (2003, 2008, 2010).
His rugby career spanned 123 NPC and Super Rugby games with Canterbury, 16 Super Rugby games with the Highlanders, 16 games with the Sanix Blues in Japan, eight Heineken Cup games for Leinster and 59 Tests for the All Blacks.
“The biggest thing for me with rugby is the camaraderie and what it means to be part of a team,” Thorn told the BBC.
“I love the physical side of the sport and I love to compete - those two things are part of my nature. But the camaraderie is the thing that is special and is the thing I love the most.”
Thorn might well have played more Test rugby. After defecting from league and posting a strong first season with the Crusaders, Thorn was called up by All Blacks selectors.
He turned them down. His reason? He felt he had more to learn before pulling on a New Zealand jersey.
Thorn won State of Origin with Queensland twice.Source: News Limited
“Everybody just about fell over but he knew he wasn’t ready,” his former coach Wayne Bennett recalled.
“This is a guy who doesn’t lie to himself.
“He just had a presence about him. You didn’t have to tell kids to learn off Brad Thorn, they just watched him and listened to him.”
Thorn was the first man to complete the Super Rugby, Heineken Cup and World Cup treble and holds the record for being the oldest player ever to play Super Rugby.
He was the second player to have represented Australia in rugby league and New Zealand in rugby union after Bill Hardcastle.
Thorn’s career ended in typically stoic fashion. He was instrumental in leading an injury-ravaged, down-and-out Leicester side to a rousing late season finish that resulted in a playoff berth.
He received a standing ovation from the Welford Road crowd after his final home game against Northampton last week.
“It was really touching and, if I am honest, a bit emotional,” he said. “For the people of Welford Road to give me that send-off was a special moment. It shows the connection that was there.
“They are really good down-to-earth guys and it suits me and my style. It’s been a privilege to play here.
“I am still in the moment but I will not be all brave about this. It is something I have been doing since I was six and it’s like a friend.
“I feel so lucky and blessed.”
THORN’S TROPHY CABINET
Three NRL titles (Broncos, 1998, 2000, 2006) – Super League (Broncos, 2007)
State of Origin winner (QLD, 1998, 1999)
Super 14 (Crusaders, 2008)
Tri Nations (New Zealand, 2003, 2008, 2010)
Bledisloe Cup (2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
RWC (2011)
Heineken Cup (Leinster, 2012)
Replies
I know he's a queenslander and this week posting something about a queenslander is basically treason but I just had to post about Thorn's retirement. A bloke who genuinely seemed to love the game, he came in and belted players in League, then he went over and belted players in Union, then he came back to League to belt the new generation of players. And the numbers don't lie, debuted in '94 and hasn't stopped going since. Even with injury concerns he was still a leader in the Leinster team that made the semi-finals this year.
I'm with you Ham
he is the very definition of what a football "hard man" really is.......hard but always fair...and TOUGH
we will NEVER see the likes of Brad Thorn again
I'm with you - he deserves nothing but fine tributes - a LEGEND and CHAMPION in every sense of the word
fantastic blog Ham - one of your best !! :)
The greatest cross-code player of all time. His durability is unmatched. The ultimate competitor.
He has been signed by the Queensland Reds as their academy coach. A coup for them
see, once a mild mannered code crossing International Test Superman of the World, always a mild mannered code crossing International Test Superman of the World
SuperThorne (ST) is a citizen for all mankind and is here on planet earth to help
The hardest position for a league player to convert to in union is the tight-five and he was able to adapt quite quickly because of his dedication and professionalism. Compare his adaption to union to that of Willie Mason who couldn't make the match day 22 for French club Toulon.
Wow, what a great read!
Surprised he still has to work. Would have earned a fortune in his career. Super league, professionalisation of rugby union, super 12,15, All Black and English rugby all pay top dollar!
Maybe he's staying involved because he loves the game? He's still not that old to have an active life style.
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