Brad Thorn has represented Australia in rugby league and New Zealand in rugby union. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Brad Thorn has represented Australia in rugby league and New Zealand in rugby union. Photo / Brett Phibbs
He has already tasted plenty of success in both rugby codes on both sides of the Tasman - but those involved in Brad Thorn's footballing career say he fully deserves to bow out with his greatest victory tomorrow.
The veteran dual international, 36, is just the second man to representAustralia in rugby league and New Zealand in rugby union.
He has also won State of Origin matches with Queensland and titles with the Brisbane Broncos in league, and with Canterbury and the Crusaders in union.
League coaching great Wayne Bennett, who coached Thorn at the Brisbane Broncos and first saw him in action as an 18-year-old, said anybody who had known Thorn would be backing him this weekend.
"There wouldn't be an exception to the rule there ... No one wants him to be denied now. It'll be just a little bit more icing on the cake.
"He's quite simply a winner. Everybody wants to play with him - that's the greatest compliment you can get. There's nothing he hasn't done. I don't know anyone who has done what he's done."
The other player to win dual international honours was Bill Hardcastle who played for the All Blacks in 1897 then converted to league in 1908 and played for Australia.
