Thorn's crusade ends in delight

As he trudged off the field, 55 minutes into the Super 14 final, Brad Thorn was asking himself "why".
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Why had he thrown a stupid punch at Waratahs lock Daniel Vickerman that was missed by the referee but picked up by assistant referee Cobus Wessels who quickly reported the incident.

Thorn knew he had cost the Crusaders a try that would have taken them from a 14-12 lead over the Waratahs to a more comfortable seven or nine-point margin.

"I just wanted to get off the paddock," he said the day after the match when he had been dealt a far sweeter hand by All Blacks coach Graham Henry.

"I was disappointed, but I didn't want to look like I was disappointed. I sat there for 10 minutes thinking `what the heck am I doing here?'.

"In big matches it's all about discipline and focus. It's not my style and it seemed a bit surreal."

Not as surreal, though, as his recall to the All Blacks four years after he last played for them, against France in the 2003 World Cup playoff for third.

Thorn played for the Crusaders and Canterbury in 2004, but was not wanted by Henry for the All Blacks.

In 2005 he returned to Brisbane and his beloved Broncos for whom he had first played for in 1994.

Last year he brought the curtain down on that 10-year, 214-game career, and when a deal to play league in England fell through, Crusaders coach Robbie Deans was on the phone.

His inability to win a title with the Crusaders had niggled away at Thorn so he was quick to agree to another stint in Christchurch.

The missing title was collected on Saturday and yesterday he was back in black, one of three locks in the squad of 26. At 33 Thorn is the oldest in the squad and after 15 years of professional sport, could be forgiven for seeking a less damaging job.

However, the father of three young boys, who has re-signed with the NZRU for next year, said retiring was the furthest thing from his mind. "If I retired now it would just be for the sake of retiring. I've still got the passion, I still love footy and I've been unbelievably lucky with injury so my body's still in good nick, and it's a good way to make a living."

Thorn put his good health down to a careful training ethos and his decision about eight years ago to stop drinking alcohol. It wasn't made for sporting reasons, but because "like a lot of young men" he couldn't handle his booze.

"I knew it was something I had to get sorted in my life and I decided to just can it. It was one of the best decisions I've made.

"Not drinking alcohol has been a big thing for me in the last seven or eight years."

Thorn was first picked for the All Blacks in 2001 but sensationally turned the chance down as he didn't think he was ready for international rugby. He eventually made his test debut against Wales in 2003 and went on to play 12 tests under then coach John Mitchell.

Henry admitted he had been surprised Thorn had returned to rugby and questioned his motivations.

Thorn said they were simple. He was unfulfilled with the Crusaders, had his eye on 50 games for Canterbury, and the dream of playing for the All Blacks was always in the background. Which made his selection now all the sweeter.

"It's great. I guess the difference with this one is that it's just bonus stuff. It's about enjoyment, now, for me. When you're younger you have goals and dreams, and you're fully focused and really driven.

"Now I still have goals and I'm still driven but there's a real enjoyment factor, just appreciating each opportunity."

Did Brad Thorn deserve his recall? What do you make of the locking mix? Is it good enough to combat Ireland, England, South Africa and Australia? Have your say on our comments system below. 

- © Fairfax NZ News