Dual international rugby and league star Brad Thorn is in Samoa. 

Thorn is one of the most successful rugby union players having played 59 Tests for the All Blacks highlighted by the 2011 World Cup victory in New Zealand where he started at lock. 

New Zealand-born, Thorn is part of the Queensland Reds coaching team that arrived in Samoa yesterday, in preparation for the inaugural Super Rugby game between the Reds and the Auckland Blues on Friday. 

Known for his Terminator-like body, Thorn is excited about the visit. 

“First time in Samoa, I’ve been to Fiji but this is my first time here. I have a lot of Samoan friends in Australia and New Zealand but especially in the All Blacks.” 

“I've heard so many good things about Samoa - their hospitality and generosity. I’m a Christian and that is Samoa’s foundation. Their love for Jesus is awesome and it’s what we have in common.” 

He said Samoans have outstanding public relation skills. 

“I know Samoans, they’re very warm, friendly and they have a good sense of humour. Imagine that from an entire community, so it’s good to be here and experience that everywhere,” he said. 

Thorn is also excited about the warm weather, Samoa offers and will make sure to take time to swim at our beaches. 

Thorn joined the Queensland Rugby Union at the end of 2015 following a playing career spanning two decades. According to New Zealand Herald reports, Thorn drew the curtain on an incredible career, after 460 professional games, 21 seasons and 17 major trophies across the two codes of rugby and rugby league. His career in rugby league includes representing Australia eight times. 

Having made the switch to union, Thorn then went on to earn 59 caps for the All Blacks, winning the World Cup in 2011. According to the Reds website, Thorn’s first role in coaching was with the Reds Elite Development programme and progressed to forwards coach of the Queensland Under 20s, winning an undefeated Super U20s title in 2015, as well as a support role with the Super Rugby side. 

For the 2017 season, he was named the Reds Contact Coach as well as Queensland Under 20s head coach. 

Thorn started his playing career in rugby league with the Brisbane Broncos, where he won three N.R.L. premierships in two stints with the club. 

The second-rower also won 14 caps for Queensland in the State of Origin games and played eight Tests for the Australian Kangaroos.  In Rugby he won a Super Rugby title with the Crusaders, multiple Bledisloe Cups and Tri-Nations championships with the All Blacks; a Heineken Cup title with Leinster; and was a member of the New Zealand’s 2011 Rugby World Cup-winning team.