League: Thorn relishes physical test

There are two questions Brad Thorn gets asked all the time: Which is tougher, rugby or league, and which does he prefer?

"I enjoy both, they're both good," Thorn said as he prepared for a trip "home" to face the Warriors on Sunday.

He likes coming back to the country of his birth and enjoys the physical contest the Warriors always provide.

Thorn was a raw recruit in his eighth game of professional league when he ran onto Mt Smart Stadium for the Warriors' entry into the Australian competition in March 1995. He admits he was quite over-awed.

"I remember what seemed like a thousand-person haka and flames everywhere. It was pretty intense. I was proud to be a part of it."

The only players from that game who are back on Sunday are Thorn and veteran lock Darren Smith, 36, the second-oldest man to play in the NRL behind Cliff Lyons for Manly.

"I'm proud to be a part of it again."

The opportunity to play for the Warriors was one that never arose, his contracts keeping him in Brisbane from debut in mid-1994 until the premiership-winning year in 2000.

Having achieved that Thorn, 25, turned his head to rugby and the All Blacks, making the Canterbury NPC team and Crusaders from the Burnside club. He was selected for the tour to France, Italy and Argentina but quickly withdrew, believing he needed more experience.

He played 12 games for the All Blacks under John Mitchell in 2003, including seven at the World Cup, but in 2004 didn't make Graham Henry's side and clearly feels he was on the outer.

"I probably wouldn't have been picked," was his answer when asked if there were any pangs of regret about missing the Lions series.

Since moving back to Brisbane on a three-year contract, Thorn has already impressed sufficiently to make the Queensland State of Origin team. He still harbours some ambition to add to his three tests for the Kangaroos in 1998, also under his Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.

The association between the men is a big reason he returned to the Broncos, Thorn said.

"Wayne is a friend and a good coach, I enjoy playing for him. I love playing for my club."

Playing rugby or league at top level is intense, requiring pride and passion in the jersey, he said.

"There's no weaknesses when you go out there, nowhere to hide, every yard you make is going to be a tough one. They're both unique in their own way yet I find them very similar."

League probably carried more impact because of the collisions between big men running at each other from 10m apart but rugby's scrums and mauls were physically sapping.

"League is a smaller man's game. In rugby, they're all massive."

Thorn suffered a painful sternum injury in the second State of Origin game earlier this month and missed a couple of games for the Broncos but is now okay.

He's still finding his way around the league field again, he said, expecting his game will include more off-loads as he regains confidence.

The Broncos have re-signed Christchurch-born lock Tonie Carroll, 29, and prop Sam Thaiday, 20, for three more seasons. Second rower Neville Costigan, suspended out of Sunday's game, has re-signed for two seasons. Shaun Berrigan is the only player left on their major "to retain" list prior to the expiration of the anti-tampering deadline next week.

Kiwis centre/wing Jamaal Lolesi is looking at a one-year deal with Hull and has the intention of signing with the new Gold Coast club for its entry into the competition in 2007. Penrith's Preston Campbell was wheeled out as first signing on Wednesday.

Warriors win/loss
1995: 13 - 9
1996: 10 - 11
1997: 7 - 11 1998: 9 - 15 (2 draws)
1999: 10 - 14
2000: 8 - 16 (2 draws)
2001: 12 - 12 (2 draws)
2002: 20 - 7
2003: 18 - 10
2004: 6 - 18
2005: 6 - 8

Coaches
John Monie 1995/96 and to round 9 1997: 26 wins, 29 losses.
Frank Endacott part 1997, 1998: 13 wins, 2 draws, 18 losses.
Mark Graham 1999/2000: 18 wins, 2 draws, 30 losses.
Daniel Anderson 2001-03 and to round 12 2004: 52 wins, 2 draws, 38 losses.
Tony Kemp part 2004-05: 9-17.

Events
Mid-1980s: The Mt Albert club applies to join Sydney's Winfield Cup.
1993: The Australian RL grants licence to Auckland Rugby League.
March 1995: Auckland Warriors first game v Brisbane Broncos, lost 25-22.
March 1997: Chief executive Ian Robson removed the week prior to the season kickoff and replaced by Bill MacGowan.
May 1997: Coach John Monie sacked by MacGowan and replaced by assistant Frank Endacott.
October 1998: The ARL sells to Tainui, with Graham Lowe and Malcolm Boyle on the board. Endacott and MacGowan not reappointed.
Late 1999: Tainui hits cash trouble. Michael Stiassny made financial adviser.
Early 2000: Stiassny instigates the removal of Lowe and Boyle from board.
July 2000: Stiassny tells Tainui the club needs more than $1m to keep it afloat for the season. Money is not forthcoming. Stiassny resigns.
August 2000: New Zealand Rugby League buys the club for $400,000.
October 2000: Cullen Investments buys the majority shareholding.
September 2001: Warriors make the playoffs for the first time but are well beaten by Parramatta.
October 2002: Warriors make the grand final, losing 30-6 to the Roosters.
October 2003: Eliminated one game from the grand final by eventual premiers Penrith.
April 2004: Star Ali Lauitiiti sacked.
May 2004: Coach Daniel Anderson removed after a 58-6 loss to Roosters. Assistant Tony Kemp appointed.
March 2005: Test centre Vinnie Anderson released.
April 2005: Club icon Stacey Jones confirms he is going to France.