Brad Thorn heads towards 1,000 minutes

Friday 27 November 2009
Published By: Ben Welch
International Rugby > New Zealand

In this age of tactical substitutions and frequent injuries at the elite level, the achievement of Brad Thorn has been remarkable.

The New Zealand lock has played every minute of every Test he has started this year - the clash with Italy being the only game he has been rested for.

And a rest will be much needed when his season comes to an end this weekend, since - with 12 games under his belt so far - Thorn will have played 1,000 minutes by halftime against France.

Whether or not the 34-year-old will make it that far is, of course, yet to be seen - but don't count out the bruising Kiwi, who relishes the intensity of the final 20 minutes of a game.

While others tire and fade, Thorn comes into his own - and more often than not it's the team that can tough it out that comes out victorious.

Stamina may be all the more important for the final autumn Test, as fellow All Black Jerome Kaino suggested earlier this week that New Zealand are expecting the French to represent their most physical opponents of the year.