Leicester Tigers have signed Rugby World Cup winner and dual-code international Brad Thorn ahead of the 2014/15 season.
Thorn, a former rugby league international with Australia and a 59-cap All Black, is among the most successful players in world rugby during the last two decades.
The first man to win Australian NRL/Super Rugby titles (with Brisbane Broncos), Rugby World Cup (with New Zealand) and European Cup (with Leinster), Thorn will arrive at Tigers soon.
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “Brad has a huge amount of experience in different environments across both rugby codes and we think his experience, his knowledge and his work ethic will be an asset to our squad.
“He is 39 years old but he is in very good shape and is known in the game for his fitness levels and his attitude towards playing and training. We look forward to his arrival and seeing him work with the squad here. He will arrive in the next month and be available to play for us by the end of September.”
Born in Otago, Thorn moved with his family to Australia and initially made his name with Brisbane Broncos in Super League and Queensland in the State of Origin Series, winning eight Test caps with the Kangaroos, before switching to rugby union in New Zealand with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
His made his first Test appearance for the All Blacks in 2003 but returned to the 13-man code before a final switch back to union in 2008. Thorn won the Super Rugby title with the Crusaders, two Tri Nations crowns with the All Blacks and then the Rugby World Cup in 2011. He enjoyed subsequent spells in Japan and with Leinster in Ireland, and played for the Highlanders in last season’s Super 15 tournament.
Thorn, a former rugby league international with Australia and a 59-cap All Black, is among the most successful players in world rugby during the last two decades.
The first man to win Australian NRL/Super Rugby titles (with Brisbane Broncos), Rugby World Cup (with New Zealand) and European Cup (with Leinster), Thorn will arrive at Tigers soon.
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “Brad has a huge amount of experience in different environments across both rugby codes and we think his experience, his knowledge and his work ethic will be an asset to our squad.
“He is 39 years old but he is in very good shape and is known in the game for his fitness levels and his attitude towards playing and training. We look forward to his arrival and seeing him work with the squad here. He will arrive in the next month and be available to play for us by the end of September.”
Born in Otago, Thorn moved with his family to Australia and initially made his name with Brisbane Broncos in Super League and Queensland in the State of Origin Series, winning eight Test caps with the Kangaroos, before switching to rugby union in New Zealand with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
His made his first Test appearance for the All Blacks in 2003 but returned to the 13-man code before a final switch back to union in 2008. Thorn won the Super Rugby title with the Crusaders, two Tri Nations crowns with the All Blacks and then the Rugby World Cup in 2011. He enjoyed subsequent spells in Japan and with Leinster in Ireland, and played for the Highlanders in last season’s Super 15 tournament.
