Tri-Nations better than World Cup - Brad Thorn

BY MARC HINTON

Brad Thorn is licking his lips, and not just over the prospect of another tete-a-tete with Boks hard man Bakkies Botha.

It's Tri-Nations time, and for this ageless wonder of the All Blacks it really doesn't get any better than this. And that includes the World Cup.

As always with Thorn there is no room for misinterpretation. The 35-year-old two-code wonder has labelled the Tri-Nations as a tougher competition than the World Cup ahead of Saturday night's much-anticipated opening fixture against the South Africans at Eden Park.

Coming from this iron man of the All Black pack - and one of the most respected players of his generation - that really means something.

Thorn rates the annual three-nation haggle for southern hemisphere supremacy as a more gruelling contest than the four-yearly global gathering.

Which makes Saturday night a perfect storm for Thorn - the defending champion Springboks are in town, his old rival Botha has shaken off injury to make the lineup and all sorts of repercussions are floating around what should be an absorbing contest.

The world champion Boks are coming off a three-game sweep of the All Blacks last year, and have won their last two tests on New Zealand soil. It is time to get some balance back into this rivalry.

And then there's the Eden Park factor. The All Blacks haven't lost there – the home of next year's World Cup semifinal and final – since 1994, and since 1937 against the South Africans. The home team has a fortress to defend.

Thorn, in his understated way, is jumping out of his skin.

"The Tri-Nations I think is the major competition in the world each year, so I guess we'll see where we're at," he said.

"It's just a great competition - six games of absolute tough rugby.

"I've played the World Cup and it far surpasses that for me as far as a contest. We're lucky to play it each year."

Thorn is rapt Botha has shaken off his hamstring problems to make the start line. He wants to play the best and he rates his South African opposite as a worthy foe.

"He's a great competitor and off the paddock he's a great guy. It's what's so great about rugby. You can try and smash each other and afterwards shake each other's hand and get on with it."

There are many who see Thorn and Botha as two peas in the pod. Both uncompromising in their style and unyielding in their approach and both what you might call "tough guys".

Thorn says comparisons with his 67-test rival are gratifying, but he's not so sure they're accurate.

"He plays his rugby hard, and he's maintained his performance at test level for quite a few years now. It's flattering to be compared to someone like that, but you've got your own game, you're trying to achieve your own things and hopefully be known for the stuff that you do as well."

The Cantab takes his motivation where he can get it these days, and reveals he is still striving to leave a legacy as a rugby union player after carving a great career in rugby league with the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia.

"Ever since I came from league I wanted, when someone looked at me, to see me as a rugby player. That's my big goal. I want to be the best I can as a rugby player, and if that means being physical, and doing my job in the set piece, if that means running with the ball, making tackles, whatever.

"My real big goal is to have people look at me and go that guy can play a bit of rugby."

Thorn has surely achieved that already. But like many of these All Blacks he has unfulfilled goals, and they continue to drive him.

It's hard not to admire his attitude either. That includes not putting the Boks on too much of a pedestal despite an abiding respect for them.

"There's good players all round the world, not just in South Africa," he shrugs. "All I know is they'll bring out their guys in green, I'll be in black with my guys and we'll get amongst it.

"They are a very good rugby team, and there's respect there. But from all my experience playing in the Tri Nations every game is tough. I respect Australia as well and you just go giving all you've got, not taking a backward step and hopefully in the end things go your way."

Thorn and second-row mate Tom Donnelly will have their work cut out against the old firm of Botha and Victor Matfield. The Boks are the best in the business at lineout time and Thorn acknowledges they'll again look to put the squeeze on there.

He says it's simply about getting the fundamentals right and staying confident and smart in what they do.

"We feel there's been a lot of improvement and this is a great environment to test all our set pieces out."

Among the many great matchups on Saturday night, keep a close eye on Thorn against Botha. The sparks might just fly.

- © Fairfax NZ News