Every Rose Has It's 'Thorn'

Old is Gold: Thorn with the Heineken Cup

 Two days ago, Ireland’s Leinster won the Heineken Cup for the second year running. They put countrymen Ulster to the sword at Twickenham, winning 42-14. Former Fiji international, Isa Nacewa was on the wing for the champs and according to reports, played a grand game. Quite a number of Irish household names like Brian O’Driscoll, Paddy Jackson and Jonathan Sexton played their part in the on-sided final.  However, the subject of this post is not Nacewa but of his team-mate in the forwards, one Bradley Carnegie Thorn. When the final whistle blew for full-time on Saturday, Thorn had become theonly person to win the multiple titles on both hemispheres i.e. the World Cup, Super Rugby, Tri Nations and the Heineken Cup. He will also have a chance to put the Rabo Pro 12 title next to that impressive list, next Sunday.

A young Thorn charges for the Broncos

The amazing thing about Thorn is not that he plays lock so or that he tackles opponents like his life depends on it. It’s that he is 37 years of age this year. Thirty-seven years young! Wow! This writer only hopes to be alive at 37, let alone win multiple championship on either hemisphere. There are many on Earth who go on about their lives content with where Life has placed them and never seem to care when they fade away from existence. The man himself explains what it means for him, at this age;

Most of all I love the camaraderie. As a six-year-old I used to get nervous before a game playing with my mates. Now, as a 37-year-old I still get nervous before a game with my mates. It’s so special. It’s not so much about what’s going to happen next. It’s just about enjoying today and only the Lord knows what will happen in the future. We shall see how it works out. Physically I have always been lucky. I feel pretty good. Mentally, that is the last thing I am thinking about.

Clearly, Thorn is still enjoying his rugby and kudos to him. And to think that he was not even supposed to be in Ireland. After winning the Rugby World Cup with New Zealand, Thorn signed a contract with Japan’s Fukuoka Sanix Blues. But a door opened up when Leinster signed him up as a medical joker for the second half of the season. Perhaps this will open up a door for other past-the-mill players who still have the passion and the fitness to keep pace with the young 'uns out there. There are still a number of over-30s who still ply their rugby trade at elite clubs and continue to represent their countries like the evergreen Radike Samo (35) for Australia and Jean de Villiers (31) for South Africa. There are also those in the Northern Hemisphere like Tom Palmer (33) for England, Ronan O' Gara (35) for Ireland and Wales' Ryan Jones (31).

At the Rugby World Cup 2011

Rugby is a contact sport and the wear and tear of the game can really grind a man (or woman) down to the bone. So it takes a truly committed individual to make it to the summit and stay there. Brad Thorn may not be in the annals of the sport for having amassed a record  number of points or for crossing the white-wash numerous times, but he will definately be considered for an IRB Hall of Fame spot for his distinguished service to rugby.


Rugby is definately the winner at the end of the day for having had Thorn grace the various paddocks around the world, doing what he does best, crushing opponents and laying the smack down. And when he does retire for all manner of rugby, his numerous oppenents from all over the world will breathe a collective sigh of relief. That is until another legend steps up and take his place.


There it is. I said it. Brad Thorn = Legend. That is all.

Doing the damage for the Crusaders