Leinster 'close to finalising deal' for Thorn

GAVIN CUMMISKEY

IT IS now a case of when, not if, Brad Thorn will join Leinster. assistant coach Richie Murphy yesterday stated: “We are close to finalising the deal” for the 37-year-old, which gives the former All Black lock the opportunity to play in the Heineken Cup in the winter of an already epic career.

Thorn has already won the World Cup and a Super Rugby title with the Canterbury Crusaders, while also representing Australia in Rugby League and Queensland in the State of Origin series. He retired from the Test arena last October, signing a two-year deal with Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues.

However, the current Japanese off-season allows Thorn to solve Leinster’s chronic secondrow problem, further highlighted by Damien Browne’s enforced withdrawal with a recurring shoulder injury during last Friday’s 42-8 defeat of Treviso.

“Really exciting,” was how stand-in Leinster captain Kevin McLaughlin described Thorn’s imminent arrival to Dublin.

“We’ve a bit of a crisis in the secondrow this season, especially now Leo has got the surgery (Achilles). I’ve had to go in there a bit, which I’m happy to do, but we’re getting a specialist secondrow in who’s won the World Cup, he’s done everything there is to be done in rugby. It is going to be a huge lift for the squad.”

Thorn is not expected to arrive ahead of Friday’s Pro12 game against the Scarlets and may not make the trip to Glasgow on February 25th, but the March 2nd match in Aironi would be the ideal opportunity to integrate him into the squad. Leinster forwards coach Jono Gibbs never played in the same All Blacks pack as Thorn, who returned for a second stint in the league with the Brisbane Broncos between 2005 and 2007, although the pair would have faced off on numerous occasions.

Until the Six Nations Council confirm the rescheduled date for the France match in Paris, it is unclear how many Irish players Declan Kidney will release for Friday’s game, although Eoin Reddan was togged out for Leinster training yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Super 15, which starts next week, will introduce a “white” card for referees to brandish when they suspect foul play but cannot identify the culprit. A citing commissioner will then review the footage.

hopefully his body can hold together so he can make a bit of well deserved coin before he retires

amazing career

What denomination of Christianity does he fellow?

He'll certainly not want any of your Guinness.

If Leinster win the HEC it would an amazing end to his career. Really looking forward to him playing for Leinster.

Warrior-face eying up a Leinster switch too - he just loves it when a team selects players based on form and not historic contributions.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/r ... 18280.html

The real Big Bad Brad is waiting...

Warrior-face eying up a Leinster switch too - he just loves it when a team selects players based on form and not historic contributions.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/r ... 18280.html

Warrior-face eying up a Leinster switch too - he just loves it when a team selects players based on form and not historic contributions.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/r ... 18280.html

I just hope that Devin "sidesteppin-triple offloadin the T man" Toner doesn't get distracted by the additional responsibility of showing this new lad thorne the ropes and generally helping him with the step up to Leinstertainment standard Rugby.

You can do it Dev.

Fuck off away from him,he's getting his place in Munster so I don't see the relevance to 'historic contributions',it's not like moving to Leinster will help his cap haul.

Thorn is a great signing,waste of money for 1 game though...

Excellent signing! Thorn is a complete professional.

He's 37 FFS.

He's 37 FFS.

Nice to see a journo recognise Leinster's "Chronic" problems in the row.

:cough:

Terblanche

:cough:

He's 37 FFS.

He is a freak, and has a well rounded skillset. But IMO his two best features are how well he moves opposing bodies at the breakdown, and the impact he makes at scrum time. He'd be far and away the best scrummaging lock in world rugby, and the difference to the Crusaders and AB scrum when he has been absent in recent seasons was immense.

:cough:

Terblanche

:cough:

He is a freak, and has a well rounded skillset. But IMO his two best features are how well he moves opposing bodies at the breakdown, and the impact he makes at scrum time. He'd be far and away the best scrummaging lock in world rugby, and the difference to the Crusaders and AB scrum when he has been absent in recent seasons was immense.

I'll take that for sure We miss Hines this year at the breakdown.

He is a freak, and has a well rounded skillset. But IMO his two best features are how well he moves opposing bodies at the breakdown, and the impact he makes at scrum time. He'd be far and away the best scrummaging lock in world rugby, and the difference to the Crusaders and AB scrum when he has been absent in recent seasons was immense.

I know you all have seen Thorn play up in the NH, but I can't over-estimate how hard he works at the collision area. No turnovers or pilfers, just good old fashioned smashing the living fuck out of anyone from the other team that is in or around the breakdown contest. He's one of the strongest ever All Blacks, and a workaholic on the field. He isn't going to score lots of tries or make lots of line breaks, but he is going to seriously toughen up Leinster's forward pack.

I know you all have seen Thorn play up in the NH, but I can't over-estimate how hard he works at the collision area. No turnovers or pilfers, just good old fashioned smashing the living fuck out of anyone from the other team that is in or around the breakdown contest. He's one of the strongest ever All Blacks, and a workaholic on the field. He isn't going to score lots of tries or make lots of line breaks, but he is going to seriously toughen up Leinster's forward pack.

I know you all have seen Thorn play up in the NH, but I can't over-estimate how hard he works at the collision area. No turnovers or pilfers, just good old fashioned smashing the living fuck out of anyone from the other team that is in or around the breakdown contest. He's one of the strongest ever All Blacks, and a workaholic on the field. He isn't going to score lots of tries or make lots of line breaks, but he is going to seriously toughen up Leinster's forward pack.