GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
- 22,246
- 20,574
But not for Rugby League
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
THE itch has returned.
Former dual international and World Cup winning All Blacks forward Brad Thorn is set to defy age and come out of retirement to play for Queensland Country in this month’s National Rugby Championship.
Thorn, 41, retired from professional rugby in mid-2015 after 460 matches in rugby and league in a professional career spanning more than two decades.
But after hanging up the boots more than a year ago, Thorn — who this year was an assistant coach with the Queensland Reds and under-20s team — is expected to be named in Queensland Country’s playing squad for 2016 next week, where he will combine playing and coaching duties.
With Test lock Rob Simmons expected to miss the bulk of the tournament because of international duty, Thorn will add a wealth of experience to the team.
Throughout his 21-year professional career Thorn was widely recognised as one of the hardest working players on and off the field.
Even now he’s been seen running the steps at Ballymore and trains daily.
In an interview with foxsports.com.au earlier this year, Thorn said he only retired because he thought that’s what 40-year-olds did.
“I didn’t actually retire because of my body,” Thorn said in January.
“I retired because it seemed like I should — I turned 40.
“If you had of put the number 32 next to my name I would have signed another two-year contract.
“My body feels good.
“And I’ve had a few contacts from clubs about playing overseas, and I sort of say to them ‘that would be fun’ because I just love playing, but this is my focus now and it’s good to have the family back here, and it’s sort of the long-term plan and not popping around everywhere.”
After helping guide the Queensland under-20s team to the inaugural Super U20s championship as the squad’s elite development forwards coach, Thorn was announced as an assistant coach with the Reds in April.
No Cookies | The Courier Mail
THE itch has returned.
Former dual international and World Cup winning All Blacks forward Brad Thorn is set to defy age and come out of retirement to play for Queensland Country in this month’s National Rugby Championship.
Thorn, 41, retired from professional rugby in mid-2015 after 460 matches in rugby and league in a professional career spanning more than two decades.
But after hanging up the boots more than a year ago, Thorn — who this year was an assistant coach with the Queensland Reds and under-20s team — is expected to be named in Queensland Country’s playing squad for 2016 next week, where he will combine playing and coaching duties.
With Test lock Rob Simmons expected to miss the bulk of the tournament because of international duty, Thorn will add a wealth of experience to the team.
Throughout his 21-year professional career Thorn was widely recognised as one of the hardest working players on and off the field.
Even now he’s been seen running the steps at Ballymore and trains daily.
In an interview with foxsports.com.au earlier this year, Thorn said he only retired because he thought that’s what 40-year-olds did.
“I didn’t actually retire because of my body,” Thorn said in January.
“I retired because it seemed like I should — I turned 40.
“If you had of put the number 32 next to my name I would have signed another two-year contract.
“My body feels good.
“And I’ve had a few contacts from clubs about playing overseas, and I sort of say to them ‘that would be fun’ because I just love playing, but this is my focus now and it’s good to have the family back here, and it’s sort of the long-term plan and not popping around everywhere.”
After helping guide the Queensland under-20s team to the inaugural Super U20s championship as the squad’s elite development forwards coach, Thorn was announced as an assistant coach with the Reds in April.
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