Rugby: Thorn out for rest of season

Brad Thorn.
Brad Thorn.
Highlanders and former All Black lock Brad Thorn may have played his last game of rugby in New Zealand.

The durable 39-year-old ruptured his biceps tendon in a tackle shortly after halftime during the Highlanders' impressive 27-20 win over the Bulls in Dunedin on Friday night.

He was scheduled to have surgery yesterday and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

''It is unfortunate for Thorny and for us as a team, eh?'' Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said.

''He has been relatively injury-free all his career and it was just a freak accident, really. He made a tackle and his arm popped. His biceps tendon ruptured, so he has to get that sewn back up again.''

Joseph said it was too early to speculate whether Thorn's rugby career was over, although it seems likely he has played his last game for the Highlanders.

''I don't know, to be honest. I know he is such a durable guy that he won't want to go out like this. He'll obviously be disappointed but I haven't had a chance to talk to him since Saturday.

''I think the key thing is that it is fixable and he can recover. So he just needs to sort it out and assess things from there.''

Joseph said he sat down with Thorn at the end of last season and discussed the forward's future.

Thorn indicated he was keen to play another season for the Highlanders and then look at playing opportunities overseas.

''There is a lot of speculation about what he will do but he is probably the best guy to ask.''

The Highlanders leave for South Africa on Friday. They play the top-of-the-table Sharks the following weekend and the Stormers on May 3.

Joseph hopes to sit down with Thorn before the team departs but has no immediate plans to find a replacement player.

The Highlanders have ample lock cover.

Josh Bekhuis, Joe Wheeler and Jarrad Hoeata have all competed for game time this season, and Joseph has faith rookie Tom Franklin can make the step up if required.

''We will [bring in a replacement] eventually. There is no real rush to replace locks because we contracted five.

''I don't think I will look for another lock. I'm quite happy with Tom. He is a player for the future for us and, hopefully, he will get an opportunity.''

It is possible the franchise could look to strengthen its front row cover and bring in an extra prop.

''We can be a bit more flexible and just see how our injuries are and when we lose guys, so there is no immediate urgency to sort that out.''

Meanwhile, the Highlanders have named a predictable squad for the trip to South Africa.

Outside back Kurt Baker is one week into a six-week suspension for a tip tackle and will stay behind.

Loose forward TJ Ioane is still recovering from a calf injury, while Franklin, Argentinian prop Matais Diaz, third-string first five-eighth Willie Ripia, centre Winston Stanley and back-up halfback Frae Wilson have been overlooked.

 


Highlanders squad
For South Africa

Josh Bekhuis, Richard Buckman, Phil Burleigh, Shane Christie, Liam Coltman, Elliot Dixon, Jason Emery, Gareth Evans, Malakai Fekitoa, Maafu Fia, Kane Hames, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Nasi Manu, Craig Millar, Brayden Mitchell, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Trent Renata, Ged Robinson, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Fumiaki Tanaka, Shaun Treeby, Joe Wheeler.


 

 

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