Tasman's chances of reaching the provincial rugby semifinals received a significant boost yesterday in the form of willing debutant Brad Thorn.
The All Blacks lock will be included in the Tasman squad to play Canterbury for the first of four quarter-finals in Christchurch on Friday night.
His inclusionwill add steel to a pack that has performed admirably in recent weeks and provides an interesting match-up against Crusaders locks Isaac Ross and Michael Paterson.
Thorn reportedly told Tasman coach Todd Blackadder he was desperate to make his maiden appearance for the province once he fulfilled a stand-down period following the All Blacks' triumphant Tri-Nations campaign.
It was originally thought Thorn, 33, would not turn out for the province because of the compulsory rest he was told to undertake following New Zealand's series-clinching victory in Brisbane on September 13.
But that changed once Tasman qualified for the playoffs.
Friday's match also provides Thorn with a competitive hitout before the All Blacks embark on their fourth and final Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Hong Kong and the subsequent tour of Britain and Ireland.
However, Thorn's first-choice test locking partner Ali Williams - who transferred to Tasman to be eligible for the Crusaders this year - will not be available because of an ankle injury.
Williams, who moves back to Auckland and the Blues next season, is destined never to turn out for Tasman.
News of Thorn's determination to play was gratefully received by Tasman management and represented a rare positive considering the in-fighting dogging the cash-strapped amalgamation between Nelson Bays and Marlborough.
"He's jumping out of his skin to play for us. That's great," said team manager John Caldwell.
Either Alex Ainley or Will Crutchley are likely to make way for Thorn. Caldwell said while it was unfortunate for the player who made way, they could not ignore a player of Thorn's calibre.
