Hold the press, breaking news

by Goosestepper Fri 27 Jan 2012, 3:00 am

World Cup winning-lock Brad Thorn is being lined up to join Heineken Cup champions Leinster on a short-term contract after the end of the Japanese season next week.

Thorn, who turns 37 on February 3, joined the Fukoaka Sanix Blues on a two-year deal after the World Cup but, with their season wrapping up next week, is reportedly in discussions with Leinster about joining them during the Japanese off-season.

The Irish club, who are coached by former Bay of Plenty coach and Blues assistant Joe Schmidt, lack depth in the second row with skipper Leo Cullen injured and Steven Sykes having returned to South Africa after an unhappy time with the European champions.

Any move would need agreement from Thorn's Japanese club and, according to reports, no official approach has been made.

Thorn played 59 tests for the All Blacks in two stints - he played rugby from 2001-2004 and then again from 2008 - but also established a highly-distinguished rugby league career for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia.

The European competition is considerably tougher than the Japanese one and will mean a lot more travel, something he said he wasn't keen to put his wife and their four young children through when he signed to play in Japan.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10781603

discuss - I think its fantastic

by munkian Fri 27 Jan 2012, 7:13 am

Rubbish news for the Irish national squad though

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 7:22 am

Munk, Ireland have lots of options at lock. Leinster don't.
It would be a great (short term) singing.

by Dubbelyew L Overate Fri 27 Jan 2012, 7:55 am

Blimey, he won't come cheap.

He's spent his whole career chasing the dollar, criss-crossing the Tasman between Oz rugby league and the All Blacks, he's got a nice Japanese pension, and now he wants to top it up in Dublin?

Good luck to him.

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:32 am

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:Blimey, he won't come cheap.

He's spent his whole career chasing the dollar, criss-crossing the Tasman between Oz rugby league and the All Blacks, he's got a nice Japanese pension, and now he wants to top it up in Dublin?

Good luck to him.

That might be the case, but as long as he plays well I don’t think anyone will care.

This is only a stop gap signing anyway, we’re not looking to sign him up until he’s 40.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:51 am

Very good signing - a near-adequate replacement for Wagga Wink

But can Brad Thorn sit on Ferris, Mueller and Wannenburg?!

by red_stag Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:53 am

Excellent move

by Red Right Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:58 am

Agreed Stag. Sets them up nicely while they try and sort out their long term options at Lock.

by Guest Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:59 am

brilliant short term signing.

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:06 am

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Very good signing - a near-adequate replacement for Wagga

But can Brad Thorn sit on Ferris, Mueller and Wannenburg?!

Some funny reactions to that on Twitter, one lad sends him a message to the effect of "you're a disgrace, i'm glad Leinster got rid of you, you showed no sportsmanship and should have been yellow carded!" to which Wagga just replied "Munster fan? Smile

"

it was a pure bollix thing to do, but you've got to admire him for it. Only two seasons here and he's still a fans favourite.

by **Ozzy3213** Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:10 am

He did what any other player in his situation would have done. He's there to win and get away with what he can. Cracking twitter response as well. Laugh

by **rodders** Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:18 am

Absolutely brilliant move if it comes off. Based on his RWC form Thorn is still one of the best in the world and it will be great experience for the likes of Toner, Ruddock, McGlaughlin etc. to rub shoulders with this guy.

by Standulstermen Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:21 am

I trust the Irish press will have a field day given how much stick Ulster got for the Terblanche signing? Wink

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:26 am

Standulstermen wrote:I trust the Irish press will have a field day given how much stick Ulster got for the Terblanche signing?

No way, we're media darlings. For now. Wink

by Standulstermen Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:28 am

Ha good signing if it comes about. Really does make Leinster look almost unbeatable i think

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:28 am

Ozzy3213 wrote:He did what any other player in his situation would have done. He's there to win and get away with what he can. Cracking twitter response as well.

Its' on RugbyDump now too

by Don Alfonso Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:31 am

Stand - no, no,no.

This is competely different.

Because... Erm...

by geoff998rugby Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:48 am

The difference is he is not a Saffer.

Sign a Saffer and you are destroying Irish rugby

Sign an Kiwi or an Aussie and you are benefiting Irish rugby...didn't you know that Doh

by Goosestepper Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:48 am

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:Blimey, he won't come cheap.

He's spent his whole career chasing the dollar, criss-crossing the Tasman between Oz rugby league and the All Blacks, he's got a nice Japanese pension, and now he wants to top it up in Dublin?

Good luck to him.

Very harsh.... I know he is very well liked and respected by both codes in Brisbane and in Cantebury.

Church going t-totaller, strikes me as a kind of Bakkies Botha without the thuggery. He also gets around the paddock very well bit like a 4th back row imo ( Rugby league influence maybe). I think his age is a mute point too...... if he still good enough to be selected for the all blacks...... in a world cup final............

by Goosestepper Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:49 am

and... who knows maybe he'll have similar impact on players like Toner et al as Rocky had with SOB. Thats a nice thought if its true.

by gowales Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:53 am

He would be a great signing. I don't see how it would be rubbish news for the Irish national team. Leinster have lots of injuries at lock and he is a world class player. Plus Toner and the like will benefit greatly from training with such a intense, professional.

by Geordie Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:54 am

"I know he is very well liked and respected by both codes in Brisbane and in Cantebury."

Interesting that noone complained about him chopping and changing which country he played for...?

by gowales Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:57 am

Probably because he moved to Australia when he was 8 and played rugby league there and got capped. Then he moved to New Zealand to try Union and played for the country of his birth and parentage.
source: Wikipedia

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:58 am

I couldn’t care less if he changed countries when he changed codes, if anything it shows how good he is. The Kangaroos and the All Blacks are the pinnacle of their respective codes.

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:58 am

Standulstermen wrote:Ha good signing if it comes about. Really does make Leinster look almost unbeatable i think

Behave!

by GunsGerms Fri 27 Jan 2012, 11:11 am

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10781603

Short term cover for injured Cullen and out of favour Sykes. Is he still good? At 37 can he make a difference?

by **Ozzy3213** Fri 27 Jan 2012, 11:14 am

Already a thread on this, I shall merge them.

by Standulstermen Fri 27 Jan 2012, 11:19 am

leinsterbaby wrote:
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10781603

Short term cover for injured Cullen and out of favour Sykes. Is he still good? At 37 can he make a difference?

Sykes is gone now Leinsterbaby. He has just won an RWC. He can make a huge difference.

Mickado
I did say almost..... Smile

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 11:23 am

That's bad enough! Smile

If you think of Thorne as a replacement for Cullen rather than Sykes (who only played about 100 mins in his Leinster career) then you're talking about a lock who's good enough to start for the best team in the world versus a lock that can't make it into the 6th best. I know Thorne is 37 but he's obviously still got what it takes to compete at the highest level.

by Goosestepper Fri 27 Jan 2012, 12:45 pm

sure i'm 34, haven't played for 6 years but I'm still worth a call up to the Lions next year (unless its Gatland as coach he never liked me

by Feckless Rogue Fri 27 Jan 2012, 2:28 pm

Brilliant signing.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Fri 27 Jan 2012, 4:55 pm

This stuff is too funny Laugh

https://twitter.com/wagga5

by gowales Fri 27 Jan 2012, 5:06 pm

Hehehe he's very switched on. I remember him on the lions tour DVD he was hilarious.

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 5:56 pm

Shouting after the antelope. "yeah, you better run!"

by Gibson Fri 27 Jan 2012, 6:12 pm

If it happens, and there's no smoke without kindling... It is a brilliant short-term signing. And it demonstrates the pulling-power of Leinster.

Toner would benefit most playing with him. A la Elsom - SOB. Be like an intensive 3-month course in being a total pro animal.

I hope it happens. Leinster are denying it. Thats makes it fairly certain.

Man, we miss the Ulster-dominating Hines so bad now.

by ME-109 Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:23 pm

Geriatric AB signs for leinster!!! As Stand said wait until the hypocrites in the D4 press wet themselves over this. And we all thought the leinster academy was doing the business. No wonder the irfu want to change the rules.

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:34 pm

How's Munsters geriatric All Black getting on DOD? Injured yeah?

by ME-109 Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:43 pm

Munsters geriatric ab, joined us at 28, helped us win a HC and is still here and settled with his family four years later.

I know you are only jealous Coconut Cream as you lot only seem to get the tourists

by brennomac Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:44 pm

Jeez DOD you're a gas man. How are all Munster's young props getting on with BJ and Wian at 3 and 1. But then Thorn is a proven winner, even when you were stuffing the Saints last week BJ managed to be mullered by Tongawhatitsname and Wian by Mujati.

by brennomac Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:46 pm

DOD wrote:Munsters geriatric ab, joined us at 28, helped us win a HC and is still here and settled with his family four years later.

I know you are only jealous Coconut Cream as you lot only seem to get the tourists

As opposed to that tourist of yours Chambers Smile

by Mickado Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:46 pm

Ok when Thorn joins and we win again I'll give you a shout.

by ME-109 Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:49 pm

Sure thing Brennon , how are you guys doing with a limerickman and saffa as hookers, a corkman at no.3.

Considering how much we did get shunted around do I detect a note of jealousy at the 51 points we racked up

by ME-109 Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:52 pm

Mickado wrote:Ok when Thorn joins and we win again I'll give you a shout.

According to the pundits its yours to lose, don't think ye need an old fella to win it. Anyhow according to Kearney last week you are top seeds for the quarters Cool

by **Notch** Fri 27 Jan 2012, 8:58 pm

Its always amusing when any fan of the provinces tries to claim the moral high ground over overseas signings. We're all in the same boat here. In terms of short term contracts over ling-term investment in players. Ulster did it, Leinster are doing it and Munster have done it and would do it again if needed.

No wonder the IRFU want to tighten the rules. Wish they went about in a more competent manner though.

by Guest Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:13 pm

Good for Leinster it will help the cause and help the oblivious fair weather Irish fans brag about how amazing Irish rugby is,
Irish rugby will be at the bottom of the six nations in five seasons time.

by ME-109 Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:17 pm

Not sure why chambers is being mentioned. He was a punt due to injuries and he was not good enough and is not being extended.

by aucklandlaurie Fri 27 Jan 2012, 9:46 pm

I doubt if we will again in our lifetimes see an Internatinal rugby league second rower,convert to rugby union and play test rugby at lock....Thats how unique this guy is...

by Goosestepper Sat 28 Jan 2012, 12:01 am

viewtothegym wrote:Good for Leinster it will help the cause and help the oblivious fair weather Irish fans brag about how amazing Irish rugby is,
Irish rugby will be at the bottom of the six nations in five seasons time.

thanks for the intelligent input.................

by Mickado Sat 28 Jan 2012, 6:43 am

DOD wrote:Not sure why chambers is being mentioned. He was a punt due to injuries and he was not good enough and is not being extended.

You obviously made a good impression on him, he's converting back to rugby-lite.

by Gibson Sat 28 Jan 2012, 7:14 am

EDIT: Sorry Ted. I was being racist against a country that doesnt even exist.

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