Former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn will play for one more season as the veteran is set to join the Highlanders in 2013.
According to the Otago Daily Times, 37-year-old Thorn is believed to have met Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph in Japan last month and agreed to play for the Dunedin-based outfit next year.
Thorn last played in New Zealand during last year's Rugby World Cup when he helped the All Blacks win the tournament for the first time in 24 years.
The former Crusaders stalwart then went to Japan on a two-year deal with Fukuoko Sanix Blues, but at the completion of his first season he joined Irish province Leinster where he won the Heineken Cup earlier this year.
Thorn's career as a professional sportsman started in 1994 when he played rugby league for the Brisbane Broncos and he also went on to represent Australia in that code.
Despite his age, Thorn is a fitness fanatic who will be an asset to the Highlanders - especially their young tight forwards.
Along with new recruit, All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock, and another experienced All Black hooker in the form of Andrew Hore, the Highlanders' pack will have a steely look about it when Thorn also joins.
Comments
StunTheMullet says...
Yes please!
Highlanders pack starting to look good next year with a Hore, a Woodcock and now a Thorn!
Posted 01:23 10th October 2012
5Lock4ward says...
Now if they could only convince James Ryan to come out of early retirement.
Posted 12:34 09th October 2012
dangerous says...
Nails
Posted 10:17 09th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
this is so awesome.
Posted 06:37 09th October 2012
kiwilad says...
The man mountain returns, that will add some mettle to the Highlanders pack, not that they were short of it!
Posted 01:48 09th October 2012
oceansnz says...
Hmm, the NZ conference will be very challenging next year.
Auckland was looking at getting itself off the bottom of the group, but now it just got a whole lot more difficult!
Posted 01:36 09th October 2012
Ferdie says...
if it is his last season, great place to finish, he's from Mosgiel 15km from Dunedin, back home where it all started.
Posted 00:18 09th October 2012
Phill_Moore says...
Great news!
I predict the AB fist-five curse of the RWC 2011 will change to hit AB locks in RWC 2015, Big Bad Brad will then be recalled for the final and will do a spine-altering try-saving tackle on Fernandez-Lobbe to win it at the death!!
Posted 17:27 08th October 2012
hayj05 says...
Awesome! Absolutely awesome... if it happens.
Posted 12:21 08th October 2012