yamahakiwi says...

OK can we move on from Carpelone's comment? The thread is about BT and Leinster.

Great to hear the guy is getting good reviews (after only three matches!). Just hope all you guys won't slay him after one bad one! Whatever, the guy is a legend even at about 38years old. There's a lot in terms of attitude that younger players could learn from him. As a Kiwi, we are going to miss him in the ABs. He has a huge engine and his workrate was immense. There are quite a few promising young NZ locks coming through in Super rugby (I like the look of Retallick at the Chiefs) but they are going to have to work really hard to get to where BT was.

Lastly, having lived in Japan for a while, a lot of you European guys would be surprised at the level of the Top league in Japan, particularly the Top teams who could definitely beat quite a few of the teams that played in the HC. With quite a lot of overseas pros and coaches, those teams are probably stronger in some ways than the Japanese national team. I remember Suntory for example beating Wales a few years ago while the national team struggled.

I've seen this "mickey mouse" description of the Top League a few times from NH posters who having actually not watched the league are probably speaking out of sheer ignorance.

Posted 02:45 14th April 2012

Ramage says...

A quality player.

Posted 03:53 12th April 2012

adamk says...

I think the point Carpelone is trying to make is the issues with AB's scrum pre-2008/9. Which is a fair point. Let's not lambaste people for criticizing the AB's... It is allowed, some people would have you thinking otherwise.. ;)

Posted 19:39 11th April 2012

Kevin83 says...

This guy is a serious player.

I thought we wouldn't get a better import than Rocky but his guy could become the biggest cult hero in the clubs history.

I've seen him play 3 games so far and everytime I can take my eyes off him. He nicks lineout ball, drives the tighthead, great tackler, A pain in the arse at the breakdown and decent carrier too. Everything a Lock forward should be Brad is. He is the model Pro too. The condition he's in too despite playing mickey mouse rugby in Japan.

Can we have him for next season too. Surely he'd rather stay than go back to Japan.

Posted 09:18 11th April 2012

adamk says...

I never noticed how important the engine room was in the scrum until the Cardiff match. If you watch the scrum at 26min and watch Thorn pump his legs... the dude is an absolute machine. The problem is when he goes we're screwed. Toner is a long term prospect, but is a loose lock rather than someone to power in behind a tight head.

Posted 22:42 10th April 2012

blametheref says...

He's made of stern stuff and is a very canny player in the tight, he fits right into the Leinster ethos of earning your wins honestly and without arrogance and with a little style too, which he is used to...Him and Cullen need to get their line out sorted, which I reckon they will come the monumental Clermont match...This match alone could define Thorn's contribution to NH rugby and Leinster's legacy in waiting which is to be one of the world's best clubs without arguement...There's no other team in the NH, other than Toulouse, where Thorn's style of play suits better than Leinster...A great call by Jonno Gibbs and Schmidt

Posted 14:52 10th April 2012