Tasman Makos: News

Thorn looks sharp as focus falls on him
08-Oct-2008

By CHRIS BARCLAY

There is no doubt Brad Thorn is a bona fide part of Tasman's short rugby history - the All Blacks lock turned up just in time to line up in the team photo.

Thorn trained for the first and only time with his new teammates in Nelson on Tuesday, two sessions that doubled as a meet and greet for a player more familiar with Tasman's quarter-final opponents in Christchurch on Friday night.

The 19-test international needed little time to find his feet and strolled right into the starting 15 for Tasman's playoff against a Canterbury side on a nine-match unbeaten run.

"He got himself here in the team photo, his timing is impeccable," Tasman coach Todd Blackadder joked.

Thorn was not expected to debut for Tasman this season, the province he joined when returning for Brisbane to embark on a second stint with the Crusaders this season.

After a torrid Tri-Nations campaign Thorn and fellow Tasman recruit Ali Williams were ordered to rest up before the All Blacks' end of year tour.

However, Thorn told Blackadder last week he was keen to play - and when Tasman made the top eight by securing a bonus-point victory against Manawatu last weekend - the abrasive forward was greeted with open arms.

Blackadder said Thorn's keenness was welcome, although not unexpected once niggles including a tight hamstring cleared.

"It's not as if we were asking him to, he came to us. He just wants some game time," said Blackadder, who will starts Thorn alongside Will Crutchley at lock.

Tasman's other first-choice lock, Alex Ainley, moves to the blindside flank after Jack Lam was ruled out with a knee injury.

Blackadder was confident Thorn would slot in smoothly for what will be his first match since New Zealand retained the Tri-Nations in Brisbane on September 13.

"The way he was running around, you'd think he's been here all season.

"The big thing will be just understanding the launch patterns and tactics but he's gone between rugby and league -- he's pretty used to picking up different calls.

"If he's in doubt he'll do what he instinctively does."

Thorn is the only change to the starting pack while Tasman will also field an unchanged backline when they attempt to defy the odds and exact revenge for their 15-44 loss to Canterbury in Christchurch during the regular season.

TASMAN: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Blair Cook, 13 Kade Poki, 12 Andrew Goodman, 11 Afeleke Pelenise, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Mark Bright, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Alex Ainley, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Will Crutchley, 3 Tristan Moran, 2 Dan Perrin, 1 Ben May. Reserves: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Sakaria Taulafo, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Dan Hyatt, 20 Lualua Vailoaloa, 21 James Marshall, 22 Mike Pehi.