Brad Thorn can make history – Rugby News Update
Brad Thorn, the 37 year-old New Zealand lock can create history if Leinster are able to retain the Heineken Cup against Ulster.
Having represented Australia in the Rugby League and New Zealand in the Union, he can become the first player ever to win the World Cup, the Heineken Cup and the Super Rugby title.
However, it is not going to be easy and the head coach of Leinster, Joe Schmidt, is weary of the threat posed by Ulster, and is taking lessons from last year’s final.
"In last year's final, Northampton played superbly in the first-half against us and we didn't take our opportunities," he said. "We made three clean line-breaks and gave the ball straight back to them. They dominated us in the first 40 minutes."
"We can't afford to do that with Ulster, especially when you look at their quarter-final victory over Munster. Ulster are a team that can keep you under pressure because of their kicking game and they can also exert pressure on your platforms."
Thorn is excited at playing the final and he is aware of what he can achieve with the team. Besides being one of the two players to play for Australia in the League and New Zealand in the Union, he loves playing rugby. He believes that Leinster is a strong
team, which is evident from the fact that they have not lost a single match en route to the final. They won seven and drew one of the matches that they have played this campaign.
Having made his Australian debut in 1997, he switched codes in 2001, and played for the Crusaders in the Super 12, before earning his All Blacks’ debut against Wales at Hamilton, on June 21, 2003. He would play the World Cup later that year. So far he has
played 59 tests for New Zealand, starting 51 of those matches, while making substitute appearances in 8 of those matches.
Thorn can add another accolade to his already impressive CV but Ulster is going to be a formidable challenge. They qualified from a harder group, and defeated two-time Heineken Cup winners, Munster, in the quarter-finals.
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