Brad Thorn

Brad Thorn conquered every peak in both rugby codes, winning four premierships with the Broncos; a rugby World Cup with the All Blacks; a Trans-Tasman Trophy with League's Kangaroos and 11 State of Origin caps with Queensland; a Heinekin Cup in Europe with Leinster and a Super Rugby title with the Crusaders.

He also won a Brisbane Rugby League premiership with Wests Panthers in 1993, after representing Australian Schoolboys from Aspley State High. Thorn started in the centres at Wests, before being moved into the front row. He played second row in his Origin debut in 1996. The Thorn family had moved to Australia in 1984, when Brad was eight.

He grew up playing his junior rugby league with Aspley and Wests Arana, and was signed by the Broncos, who farmed him out to Wests, before he began his first-grade debut with the Broncos in 1994, playing seven games that year. He won a Super League title with the Broncos in 1997, and then NRL premierships in 1998 and 2000.

Thorn made his league Test debut for Australia against his native New Zealand in 1998, playing all three Tests as the Kangaroos won the series 2-1. He switched to rugby union in 2001 with the Crusaders, in the Super 12 competition, and was chosen for the All Blacks' tour of Europe, an honour he rejected because he did not feel he was ready.

It's a real tough game. A real courage game, especially in that era. You could get bashed in a tackle; you could get bashed in a fight.

Brad Thorn FOG #94

Thorn made his All Blacks' debut in 2003, playing 12 Tests before his return to league with the Broncos in 2005. He played all three Origin matches in 2005, two in the second row and one at prop.

In 2006, Thorn and Sam Thaiday were second rowers in the NRL grand final, with the Broncos scoring a shock 15-8 win over Melbourne Storm. 

Thorn returned to rugby union in 2008, and spent the remainder of his professional sporting career in the 15-man code. 

He was appointed coach of the Queensland Reds in 2017.

Thorn and Gorden Tallis were named second rowers in the Broncos team of 25 Years. Thorn played 200 games for the club.