Brad Thorn

Will Brad Thorn have eclipse the achievement of Martin Johnson if he helps to winning the Heinekan cup?

I'd say if he wins that and the Pro12 he's won pretty much everything there is to win save a Currie Cup.

anotherworldofpain wrote:Will Brad Thorn have eclipse the achievement of Martin Johnson if he helps to winning the Heinekan cup?

Just go back to writing normally. I've been impressed with the effort but even you must be finding this hard work now?

Ghost, I don't care what they say, you are simply a genius!

Sorry, I don't understanding this "bantering".

Please if someone could explain I can join in the joke.

We are simply not worthy, oh spooky one

I am scary you?

Brad Thorn must feel he has at last achieved the ultimate - to play for Leinster. Winning the HEC would just be icing.

Oh yes, you um scary me

Come on guys give it a rest, anotherworldofpain is who he says he is.

Here is some kind of spirit haunting and make the posters paranoid and crazy? Sorry I don't know what is this joke and I hope you dont laughing at me. If yes then please tell me about what it is I am doing so funny and I will changing it.

I'd say Brad Thorn has probably already surpassed Martin Johnson as he has won so much on the otherside of the world, the WC and Tri-Nations and is now on the cusp of winning two major trophies in the NH - he's also played for different great teams

Yup, probably the most rounded second row to have played the game. 'Surpassed' in what way though? As a figurehead? no, a leader? probably not, a player? I'd say so......
Mr bek....as for the op, I don't know who he says he is but he's without doubt not a croation/romanian. Take my word for it. Doesn't matter tho' gets the place buzzing!

ultra, no matter where he is from, we should afford him the same courtesy as everyone else.

There has been enough speculation and debate on whether he is Greyghost etc.

biltongbek wrote:ultra, no matter where he is from, we should afford him the same courtesy as everyone else.

There has been enough speculation and debate on whether he is Greyghost etc.

So he's fair game for insults and edgy 'banter' then?

Banter is fine, insults is a no no, you should know that SugarNspikes.

Love ya work AWP, don't go changing. Brad Thorn, what a legend! 16 months on the trot and still going for it, the consummate professional and athlete, no complaints about fatigue although I'm sure he's knackered. Most 37 year old rugby players are playing masters. I'd have big bad Brad in my team over Johnson any day of the week, just cause he's a better player/hard man and over a longer period, and in 'two' different sports.

biltongbek wrote:Banter is fine, insults is a no no, you should know that SugarNspikes.

Yep, having being on the receiving end several times I know the pain

By the way, what is the smiley for?

sugarNspikes wrote:

biltongbek wrote:Banter is fine, insults is a no no, you should know that SugarNspikes.

Yep, having being on the receiving end several times I know the pain

By the way, what is the smiley for?

Probably to add some wildlife.

EBOP wrote:Love ya work AWP, don't go changing. Brad Thorn, what a legend! 16 months on the trot and still going for it, the consummate professional and athlete, no complaints about fatigue although I'm sure he's knackered. Most 37 year old rugby players are playing masters. I'd have big bad Brad in my team over Johnson any day of the week, just cause he's a better player/hard man and over a longer period, and in 'two' different sports.

Fair way of looking at it....you're picking a team to play for your life and it comes down to johnno or brad for the remaining place....both at the peak of their powers, who do you pick? Actually a lot tougher than i'd thought.....thorn....better player all around the park. johhno...more likely to lift the team when things go wrong. If my life was on the line I'd have to go for thor....john...just don't know!!

ultra wrote:

EBOP wrote:Love ya work AWP, don't go changing. Brad Thorn, what a legend! 16 months on the trot and still going for it, the consummate professional and athlete, no complaints about fatigue although I'm sure he's knackered. Most 37 year old rugby players are playing masters. I'd have big bad Brad in my team over Johnson any day of the week, just cause he's a better player/hard man and over a longer period, and in 'two' different sports.

Fair way of looking at it....you're picking a team to play for your life and it comes down to johnno or brad for the remaining place....both at the peak of their powers, who do you pick? Actually a lot tougher than i'd thought.....thorn....better player all around the park. johhno...more likely to lift the team when things go wrong. If my life was on the line I'd have to go for thor....john...just don't know!!

Just pick Vicki Matfield, that easily solves the problem.

biltongbek wrote:

ultra wrote:

EBOP wrote:Love ya work AWP, don't go changing. Brad Thorn, what a legend! 16 months on the trot and still going for it, the consummate professional and athlete, no complaints about fatigue although I'm sure he's knackered. Most 37 year old rugby players are playing masters. I'd have big bad Brad in my team over Johnson any day of the week, just cause he's a better player/hard man and over a longer period, and in 'two' different sports.

Fair way of looking at it....you're picking a team to play for your life and it comes down to johnno or brad for the remaining place....both at the peak of their powers, who do you pick? Actually a lot tougher than i'd thought.....thorn....better player all around the park. johhno...more likely to lift the team when things go wrong. If my life was on the line I'd have to go for thor....john...just don't know!!

Just pick Vicki Matfield, that easily solves the problem.

You beat me to it, I was going to say John "Nobody" Eales or Colin "Pine Tree" Meads (the man who trained Johnson, - anyone tough enough to play most of a test match with a broken arm ...)

They're not available, one second row spot left, two men to pick from....your life on the line, who'd you pick?

BAKKIES BOTHA, the enforcer.

Damn it biltong, leave Matfield out of it. Three legends to choose from now. Actually, others would pick the bones out of it better than me, and I'd have all three if I could, all brilliant players.

Thorn and Eels, because eels could kick the goals so carter could play first five.

Isn't this about achievement rather than who is/was the best player?

The sheer variety of Thorn's achievements probably puts him up there.

Well the question is really what you want from a locking pair.

You need lineout supremacy.
you need physicality
you need leadership
you need strong defence
you need ball carrier capability.

For me, (yes I know you will say I am biased) there has been no better combination over the past 20 years, than Botha and Vicki.

sugarNspikes wrote:Isn't this about achievement rather than who is/was the best player?

The sheer variety of Thorne's achievements probably puts him up there.

True.

Dual code international, NRL and State of Origin winner, Super Rugby winner, multiple 3N winner, a couple of AI grand slams, and an RWC. With potentially an HEC and a Rabo to come. And there's the upcoming Japanese club season too ...

Kiwireddevil wrote:

sugarNspikes wrote:Isn't this about achievement rather than who is/was the best player?

The sheer variety of Thorne's achievements probably puts him up there.

True.

Dual code international, NRL and State of Origin winner, Super Rugby winner, multiple 3N winner, a couple of AI grand slams, and an RWC. With potentially an HEC and a Rabo to come. And there's the upcoming Japanese club season too ...

Vivki was to busy winning RWC, Tri Nations, currie Cups and super 14 titles, to play dual code etc.

biltongbek wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:

sugarNspikes wrote:Isn't this about achievement rather than who is/was the best player?

The sheer variety of Thorne's achievements probably puts him up there.

True.

Dual code international, NRL and State of Origin winner, Super Rugby winner, multiple 3N winner, a couple of AI grand slams, and an RWC. With potentially an HEC and a Rabo to come. And there's the upcoming Japanese club season too ...

Vivki was to busy winning RWC, Tri Nations, currie Cups and super 14 titles, to play dual code etc.

Doh, I left Thorn's INL cups and Ranfurly Shields off the list ...

Reuben Thorne meanwhile has 7 Super Rugby winners' medals. If anyone ever tops that they'll be ... very tired.

Kiwireddevil wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

Kiwireddevil wrote:

sugarNspikes wrote:Isn't this about achievement rather than who is/was the best player?

The sheer variety of Thorne's achievements probably puts him up there.

True.

Dual code international, NRL and State of Origin winner, Super Rugby winner, multiple 3N winner, a couple of AI grand slams, and an RWC. With potentially an HEC and a Rabo to come. And there's the upcoming Japanese club season too ...

Vivki was to busy winning RWC, Tri Nations, currie Cups and super 14 titles, to play dual code etc.

Doh, I left Thorn's INL cups and Ranfurly Shields off the list ...

Reuben Thorne meanwhile has 7 Super Rugby winners' medals. If anyone ever tops that they'll be ... very tired.

Braggart.

Here´s a Friday pub quiz question. What two players are the only ones to win a Super title and a Heineken Cup? If Brad wins, he´ll be the third but the only one to have won a World Cup (not to mention a few league titles as well).

OK, I give up, tell me.

I think Johnson's a more complete player than Brad, as well as Eales and Meads. Though his grunt work and scrummaging have been second to none. It's so good Henry took the hit on his limited lineout ability and it got them both a World Cup.

If he wins both these two games then what? Move to France and win a Top 14, then the Currie Cup in SA, then the Premiership? Wouldn't put it past him haha.

biltongbek wrote:Well the question is really what you want from a locking pair.

You need lineout supremacy.
you need physicality
you need leadership
you need strong defence
you need ball carrier capability.

For me, (yes I know you will say I am biased) there has been no better combination over the past 20 years, than Botha and Vicki.

What about Derwyn Jones and Gareth Llewelyn?

Agree Biltong. They'd possibly be the best locking pair of all time-may be undisputed if Botha's discipline was that of Matfield's. No bias at all there mate.

@kiakahaaotearoa is it Doug Howlett and Rocky Elsom with Munster and Leinster respectively?

biltongbek wrote:ultra, no matter where he is from, we should afford him the same courtesy as everyone else.

There has been enough speculation and debate on whether he is Greyghost etc.

Perhaps he needs a little more coaxing out of his shell. I'll try this...

I think Wayne Barnes is one of the finest referees the rugby world has ever seen. The highlight of his career so far has to be his performance in the 2007 world cup semi final between New Zealand and France where he put in a master class in how to officiate the international game. What do you think anotherworldofpain?

bluestonevedder wrote:@kiakahaaotearoa is it Doug Howlett and Rocky Elsom with Munster and Leinster respectively?

1 out of 2 I think Bluestone. Elsom hasn't won a Super rugby title

Rod Kafer and Howlett. Wanneburg will join them instead if Ulster win.

Kiwireddevil wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:@kiakahaaotearoa is it Doug Howlett and Rocky Elsom with Munster and Leinster respectively?

1 out of 2 I think Bluestone. Elsom hasn't won a Super rugby title

Isa Nacewa was in the Blues squad in 2003 when they won the Super12

Damn it, Kafer of course!!!

Toadfish wrote:

biltongbek wrote:ultra, no matter where he is from, we should afford him the same courtesy as everyone else.

There has been enough speculation and debate on whether he is Greyghost etc.

Perhaps he needs a little more coaxing out of his shell. I'll try this...

I think Wayne Barnes is one of the finest referees the rugby world has ever seen. The highlight of his career so far has to be his performance in the 2007 world cup semi final between New Zealand and France where he put in a master class in how to officiate the international game. What do you think anotherworldofpain?

And you are hoping that will help.

Now Toadfish sounds like Stephen Jones

Well it seems there were three if that's true Kiwi but yes Rod Kafer and Doug Howlett were the players I was thinking of. Well players that I read in an article this week to be perfectly true.

Pick up your prize at random.org for the correct answer Kiwi and Disney.

disneychilly wrote:Now Toadfish sounds like Stephen Jones

He's my mentor.

Think I have found what the real GG is doing with his time now though when I came across this page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Jones-The-Rugby-Columnist-is-a-dickhead-Fan-Page/172402826107232

Was a bit disapointed with the content as I was expecting a bit more when I read the title. I can only assume when he says the following that he's talking about Sonny Will Billiams?

"Well the git is a joke, I would like to invite this dickhead to a celebrity boxing match for charity and get SWB to pound his ass"

Thorn. What to say?

Legend. Best League to Union convert. Ever. Yes, even better than Robbo, who let's face it only had to stand at the back and do what he did in League anyway. He switched over twice and excelled in both sports twice. The two greatest coaches of either code for the last 25 years will tell you how great he is (Wayne Bennett and Graham Henry).

The bloke is a legend and an inspiration to young kids and old fogies alike. Some of the players he's up against were still in nappies when he turned pro, and he's still schooling pretty much everyone he comes up against. He's the 2nd fittest AB going around at the age of 37 (or he was until he left). He's one of the most decorated players in the world. He's got the biggest heart in the game, if I were the curator at Te Papa I'd get my hands on his heart and put it on display when he dies before the Aussies do (like they did with Phar Lap)

He may not have the biggest leap or get the highest in the air but he can hold his own in the lineout and he's twice as mean as Bakkies. He's possibly the greatest 'grunt' lock of the professional era. Name me one and I will tell you he's nowhere near as good as Thorn - nor has he done as much

Simple. God bless em for coming back to NZ when he did - twice.

(manlove moment over)

I couldn't think of a more appropriate person to win the most important lineout we had in 24 years with a minute left on the clock.

Thorn = Legend.
Who else has made transition from league forward
to Union lock?
J Robinson was great player and RWC winner for Eng....
But he ranks # 2 in players that swap codes.
Never heard bad word about the man.
Thorn = Otago Legend!