Thorne 'not far off tests'

The All Blacks door isn't closed on former captain Reuben Thorne, says coach Graham Henry, who yesterday named him as leader of the next tier of New Zealand international players.

Fresh from an outstanding Super 14 campaign in which he was the only member of the champion Crusaders to start every game, Thorne was widely tipped to return to the All Blacks squad of 39.

Instead, he was named captain of the Junior All Blacks, who will contest the inaugural Pacific Five Nations tournament next month, starting with a game against Fiji on Saturday.

Thorne's appointment and that of Jono Gibbes as skipper of the New Zealand Maori team were hailed as important by Henry.

"Reuben has played some exceptional rugby in the Super 14 and his leadership will be important.

Henry's assistant Steve Hansen, who takes the forwards, said Thorne was not far off a return to test rugby.

"He's in direct competition with Jerry Collins, who is probably the number one player in the world in his position [blindside flanker].

"The door's not closed for Reuben, we all think he's a hell of a good player."

After the Super 14 final, Thorne was relaxed about the prospect of adding to his 41 tests, preferring to revel in a sixth personal Super rugby title.

"I've enjoyed the season, I've had a lot of fun and whatever happens from here is out of my hands really," he said.

"I love playing for the Crusaders, for Canterbury. I think New Zealand is the best place in the world to play rugby.

"I'm passionate about the game and the Crusaders, so why would I go anywhere else?"

Thorne is one of 10 players in the 26-strong squad who have been All Blacks.

Gibbes is one of just three former All Blacks in the Maori side, who will contest the Churchill Cup tournament in North America next month. The others are props Greg Feek and Joe McDonnell. Eighteen of the 26-man Maori squad played Super 14 this year.

- NZPA