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Saturday's Super 14 clash between the ACT Brumbies and Crusaders in Canberra may lower the curtain on perhaps the most prolonged individual rivalry in professional rugby.
There would be few more enduring struggles than that between Brumbies halfback George Gregan and Crusaders flanker Reuben Thorne, dating back nearly
a decade.
Gregan, the world record-holder for test caps with 127 and who will become the first player to notch 135 Super rugby matches on Saturday, is one of the few current players to outstrip Thorne for experience. The former Crusaders skipper has clocked up 118 Super rugby games and 45 tests.
The pair were rival test captains five times, most famously the last one, when Gregan's Wallabies toppled the All Blacks in the 2003 World Cup semifinal.
Gregan's career at the Brumbies will be honoured at Canberra Stadium on Saturday, with he and teammates Stephen Larkham and Jeremy Paul all set to play their final home game.
Thorne said it would make the trip to the Australian capital an even greater challenge than usual for the six-time champions.
"There's going to be a lot of emotion, particularly in the crowd," he said.
"The Brumbies will feed off that so certainly it's going to make it difficult for us.
"George has been around for ever hasn't he? He's been a crucial part of the Wallabies and the Brumbies.
"He and Larkham are both very successful players and we all have a lot of respect for them."
Thorne and Gregan could yet clash again this year if the New Zealander can force test selection.
The durable Thorne was a fringe member of Graham Henry's 2006 All Blacks squad, playing four tests.
This will be Gregan's final year with the Wallabies and he shapes as their logical first-choice halfback for a 14th season.
Thorne said his focus remained on the Crusaders' impressive campaign, with victory at Canberra ensuring a home semifinal and probably extinguishing the Brumbies' title hopes.
"It's about making sure the momentum is building, rather than just plateauing," Thorne said.
"We want to really run into the semis playing well and with our confidence up."
Given the escalating number of experienced players leaving for overseas, it seems unlikely rugby will throw up many more rivalries on the Thorne-Gregan scale.
Thorne didn't begrudge those who were leaving, including Crusaders teammate and good friend Chris Jack, who has signed to play with Saracens after the World Cup.
"I know that have been involved in the All Blacks for the last three to four years have been in a pretty intense environment," Thorne said.
"Some of those guys have played 40-50 tests and are ready for a break and looking to get something different in their life. It provides them with challenges but also a mental break from it."
Life experience and financial security were attractive carrots, Thorne added.
"Jacko's played more than 50 tests for the All Blacks, he's pretty much achieved everything in New Zealand rugby. He's won Super rugby titles, NPC, Ranfurly Shield, he's got all that done.
"So it's a great opportunity to go and see the world and look to his future a wee bit.
"The other guys still considering it (leaving) are in a similar situation really -- apart perhaps from Luke McAlister -- and they want to try something different."
Thorne himself rejected overseas offers when he was dropped from the All Blacks by new coach Henry in 2004.
He hadn't regretted his decision.
"I was still enjoying it here. I was lucky with Canterbury and the Crusaders that the environment and the people down here are so good."
The Crusaders appear ready to cover for the loss from next season of stalwarts such as Jack, second five-eighth Aaron Mauger and possibly others.
"I'd like to think so, we've got some great young players coming through," Thorne said.
"But there is no replacement for that sort of experience in the short term so it may take a little time."
- NZPA
