Thorn adds lift to Makos line-up
Tasman received a much-need lift ahead of their Air New Zealand Cup quarter-final showdown in the form of willing debutant Brad Thorn.
Tasman received a much-need lift ahead of their Air New Zealand Cup play-offs showdown in the form of willing debutant Brad Thorn.
The All Blacks lock will be included in the Tasman squad to play Canterbury for the first of four quarter-finals in Christchurch on Friday.
His inclusion will add steel to a forward pack that has performed admirably in recent weeks and provides an interesting match-up against fellow Crusaders locks Isaac Ross and Michael Paterson.
Thorn reportedly told Tasman coach Todd Blackadder he was desperate to make his maiden appearance for the province once he fulfilled a stand-down period following the All Blacks triumphant Tri-Nations campaign.
It was originally thought Thorn, 33, would not turn out for the province because of the compulsory rest he was told to undertake following New Zealand's series-clinching victory in Brisbane on September 13.
But that changed once Tasman qualified for the play-offs.
Friday's match also provides Thorn with a useful competitive hit-out before the All Blacks embark on their fourth and final Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Hong Kong and the subsequent tour of Britain and Ireland.
However, Thorn's first-choice Test locking partner Ali Williams – who transferred to Tasman in order to be eligible for the Crusaders this year – will not be available due to an ankle injury.
Williams, who moves back to Auckland and the Blues next season, is destined never to turn out for Tasman.
News of Thorn's determination to play was gratefully received by Tasman management and represented a rare positive considering the in-fighting dogging the cash-strapped amalgamation between Nelson Bays and Marlborough.
“He's jumping out of his skin to play for us. That's great,” team manager John Caldwell told NZPA.
“With enthusiasm like that we're not going to dampen it, we're more than happy to take him.”
His imminent debut is bad news for at least one of the starting locks or reserves who ensured Tasman made the play-offs by beating Manawatu 36-7 in Palmerston North last Saturday.
Either Alex Ainley or Will Crutchley are likely to lose their position in the starting XV, with Thorn indicating he is eager to start against the province he won the 2004 National Provincial Championship (NPC) with before returning to Rugby League.
Caldwell said while it was unfortunate for the player who made way, they could not ignore a player of Thorn's calibre.
“At the end of the day you put out the team that's going to win,” he said.
“Anyone stepping aside for Brad Thorn would be bloody happy to say they've been dropped for him.”