Thorn has a foot in both camps
"The Bledisloe, there is something special about tucking that away."
Brad Thorn
You can understand why Brad Thorn might not get too worked up if the Wallabies beat the All Blacks in Brisbane tomorrow night.
Considering he is now the head coach of the Queensland Reds, and a number of players from his Super Rugby team will represent the Aussies in the test at Suncorp Stadium, it seems logical.
But given his connection to the All Blacks, the former lock played 59 tests between 2003 and 2011, it wasn’t surprising he was cagey when the inevitable question was sent his way at the Reds’ training base at Ballymore Stadium yesterday.
Initially, Thorn kept his cards close when asked who he would support.
‘‘I will just keep it to myself, you know,’’ he said with a short laugh.
‘‘I had one of my mates [All Blacks loosehead prop Kane Hames] around last night at home, and wish him well. But you are also wishing the Wallabies well too. It would be good to see the Wallabies getting a win.’’
So there you have it. Thorn, as much as anyone else who is involved in any grade of rugby across the Tasman, knows that a victory for the Wallabies would be a tonic for a sport that has been beset with issues on and off the field in Australia this year.
The fact Thorn played 200 games for the Brisbane Broncos rugby league club, and also represented the Kangaroos. must also be noted.
Born in Mosgiel, he moved to Brisbane with his family as a youngster and signed his first contract with the Broncos while in his late teens.
In 2001 he moved back to New Zealand to chase his dream of being of an All Black, joining Canterbury and the Crusaders. Time out from the game was followed by his test debut against Wales in 2003, a return to league in 2005 and back to rugby in 2008.
The 42-year-old won’t attend the test at Suncorp, because he will be in Fiji with the Queensland Country team but he is sure to take a keen interest in the contest.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was the Canterbury coach when Thorn swapped codes, and the forwards coach when the New Zealanders won the World Cup final in Auckland in 2011. A number of the All Blacks management and players know Thorn, who also represented the Highlanders in the 2013-14 seasons.
‘‘Kane Hames is a friend of mine from the Highlanders. I have a few friends in that team. There are other people as well, that I would catch up [with].’’
Earlier this month the Queensland Rugby Union announced it had sacked Nick Stiles as coach following a poor showing this season, replacing him with Thorn.
The word legend can be used pretty loosely at times, especially when sports stars are being honoured, but few could quibble that Thorn is one of the greats. He won almost 20 titles during a professional career that lasted 21 years and he still looks a million bucks.
But his coaching credentials are slim; he has been in charge of the Queensland Country and under-20s sides and was a member of the Reds’ staff under Stiles. His assignment at the Reds looks to be a daunting one, but he can at least consider how his previous mentors would have acted if things start to get tricky.
While at the Broncos Thorn was coached by the highly regarded Wayne Bennett.
During his time at the Crusaders he worked under Robbie Deans, and when he returned to the All Blacks in 2008 he operated under Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Hansen.
‘‘I have been coached by many people and you pick up traits from all of them,’’ Thorn reflected. Shag [Hansen tells some pretty good jokes as well. He is a humorous man.
‘‘They have been building for the game and the Wallabies have been doing that. Meanwhile I am doing what I am trying to do here. You are sort of busy. So I haven’t really been knocking on their [the All Blacks] door at the moment. If I was to bump into them, or whatever, I would have a chat.’’
When Thorn wore the All Blacks jersey he was a fierce competitor, and never had to suffer the angst of watching the Wallabies pack the Bledisloe Cup into their luggage hold for the flight back to Australia.
‘‘It is just under the World Cup isn’t it? I think I remember talking to Dan Carter about it and we were ranking that sort of stuff. It is good to win the Rugby Championship, but the Bledisloe, there is something special about tucking that away.’’