Interview With....

BRAD THORN

Statistics don't lie and in the case of All Black lock, Brad Thorn, they emphasis what an exceptional career he has enjoyed so far and there is more to come. He is the only man to have played test match Rugby for the All Blacks and test match Rugby League for the Australian Kangaroos.

Altogether in both codes, the tough lock has 359 first class games to his credit. In Rugby, he has now played 31 tests for the All Blacks plus one other match for New Zealand against Munster, 64 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders and 27 Provincial caps (26 with Canterbury and 1 for Tasman), while in League he has 8 tests (3 for the ARL and 5 in the Super League days of 1997), 14 games for Queensland (11 State of Origin, 3 in Super League Tri-Series) and 214 first grade games with the Brisbane Broncos.

 In this amazing career, Thorn has collected a Super 14 title (2008 Crusaders), an NPC title (2004 with Canterbury), he was a member of three of the All Blacks four Grand Slam winning tests last year, while he also played in five of New Zealand's  Tri-Nations tests in 2008 when they won the Tri-nations title and also retained the Bedisloe Cup, and also this year when they again kept the Bledisloe Cup. In Rugby League he was a member of four  Broncos Premiership winning teams (1997 Super League and 1998, 2000, 2006 NRL), won State of Origin series with Queensland (1998 and 1999) and won a Super League test series against Great Britain in 1997, as well as an ARL test  series against New Zealand in 1998

In 2002, Thorn stunned the Rugby world when he declined All Black selection because he did not think he was ready for this honour. But this was just an example of the integrity of the man. His time in the famous black jersey came on 21 June, 2003 at Hamilton, when he replaced Ali Williams, after 47 minutes, in the 55-3 victory over Wales.. A young first five named Dan Carter, also made his All Black debut in this test match.

Barry Ross caught up with the All black lock just two days after New Zealand had snatched their late 19-18 win over the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on 22 August.

BR- You pumped your fist in the air and showed plenty of on-field emotion after the victory against the Wallabies. The win obviously meant a lot to you?
BT- We were disappointed in South Africa when we lost our two tests 28-19 at Bloemfontein and 31-19 at Durban a few weeks ago, and then we had no game for three weeks. Against the Wallabies we were flat to begin with and they put us under the pump for a lot of the match. But we persevered and things began to go our way. We rate the Bledisloe Cup very highly and to win it is a big deal for us. So when the referee blew the final whistle, all of my emotion came out. The whole team had given everything and we were really buggered at the end.

BR- Is it harder to live in New Zealand after a loss than Brisbane in your league days?
BT- It probably is. In Brisbane the Broncos are very popular, but the Brisbane Lions Aussie Rules team and the Queensland Reds Rugby side also have many supporters. In New Zealand, Rugby is by far the main game. It is very important to the whole country and there is a lot of pressure because of this.

BR-Are there cultural differences in the coaching approach between your league days in Brisbane and your time in New Zealand Rugby?
BT- Yes. The Aussie coaches are more direct. By that I mean, men like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy soon let you know in no uncertain terms if you stuff up. The New Zealand coaches will also tell you about your mistakes but they are more subtle in the way they do it.

BR- Did you see any differences between the players?
BT- New Zealand teams are quite serious before games. We have team huddles and the coaches talk to us an hour and a half or so before we run out. The Australian coaches also discuss things, often walking around the dressing room speaking one on one. But generally, in my experience,  there is more chatter in the Australian dressing rooms.

BR- Modern rugby means a lot of travel and time away from home. Does this place stress on the players and their families?
BT- It certainly does. My wife, Mary-Anne and I have four children and when I am away she has to work non-stop. For me I miss my family very much. This year with Test matches and Super Rugby, I have been in South Africa for about six weeks and then you can add a couple of weeks or more in Australia, plus away games in New Zealand. I love rugby but it is hard for me to be away from my family.

BR- How do you cope with this?
BT- I phone home a lot and we use skype. I take a lot of photos with me when we we are away, but I still miss my wife and children terribly. It is hard on your wife but people help her when I am away. Thinking back when I was a boy, I can't remember my father being away for any length of time.

BR- Are South Africa the World's best team at the moment?
BT- Yes they are. They have the results this year and deserve their number one ranking. Their players are certainly in form . They beat the Lions and then defeated us and the Wallabies.

BR- What are the Springboks' strongpoints?
BT- They have a superb lineout and this allows them to control the game a great deal. Their forwards are mostly very tall and so they have plenty of lineout options. Victor Matfield runs the show and he is a great all round player. Their throw-ins are usually spot on. Everyone in the game knows how good their goal kicking is, while their general pay around the park is also first class. I don't believe their scrum is anywhere near as dominant as their lineout. The Australian scrum was better than the South Africans when they played at Capetown recently, while I think our scrum is also better. While the standard of all three countries is close, I believe our scrum can do the job against the other two.

BR- Do you think the South Africans are more physical than any other country?
BT- They are big men and they do play the game hard and tough. But so do the French, as I found out in the two tests earlier this year. The Australians also give no quarter. Everyone does plenty of weight training now and all teams have big, strong guys.

BR- Can the All Blacks beat the South Africans at Hamilton on 12 September?
BT- The coaching staff will have the team well prepared and ready for this important clash. We know they are a good side and we will have to take a step up. I know the team has the players and the ability to win the match.

BR- The South Africans are receiving plenty of criticism for too much kicking. Is this justified?
BT- For a guy with some league in his background I would say yes. But realistically they are just using the current laws to their advantage. There is always a place for kicking in rugby and the Springboks are playing to win. I must say there wasn't as much kicking against the Wallabies in Sydney and this, plus our win, made the game more enjoyable in which to play.

BR- That brings me to the ELVs. Should we have kept these?
BT- I believe there was some good things in these and some not so good things. I like to maul and I am glad that we can do this. It brings the forwards in tight and the ball can be spread with the backs having room to attack. Players have to play under the laws, whether they like them or not.

BR- Who are some of the great men you have played with and against?
BT- There are so many and I would need plenty of time to name the many I should. I have played many games at test level and with the Crusaders, alongside men like Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Andrew Mehrtens and Greg Somerville so they quickly come to mind. In league I will never forget Darren Lockyer and Allan Langer.

BR- You are now 34. Is retirement on the horizon?
BT- I have no definite plans to finish my playing career. I signed a new two year contract at the beginning of this year and I am enjoying my rugby. I am available whenever the All Blacks and the Crusaders want me. In the past my wife and I have thought of me playing overseas, but at the moment I am very happy here in New Zealand. It is a good place for my three sons (aged five, four and two), plus my 11 week old daughter, to grow up.

BR- Finally, what does playing for the All Blacks mean to you?
BT- Well, as you know I was born at Mosgiel, a suburb of Dunedin in New Zealand. I am very proud to be a New Zealander and to wear the All Black jersey is a huge honour to me and my family. I love every minute of the experience and enjoy playing with my team-mates.