ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Brad Thorn - Building Blocks - Parts 1 & 2

BY Grant Constable  ·  Thursday Oct 13, 2011

This weekend Brad Thorn lines up for New Zealand against a country he used to call home, Australia. The 36 year old will retire from the All Blacks after the World Cup, heading straight to Japan. Today we’ve got a fantastic personal insight into the training regime of a guy who has had to work harder than most to get to where he is today. 

Not everyone is blessed with bundles of energy and extreme work ethic. Thorn, who has achieved in both codes, is now a veteran of 57 tests for New Zealand and admits that life wasn’t all plain sailing in his early days. He was, as he describes it, a lazy kid.

In this two part feature filmed in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup, Thorn discusses the personal and physical battles he had to face as a teenager, and the moments that led to him applying himself.

“I wouldn’t he here today if my dad hadn’t cared about me enough to give me a kick up the backside,” Brad says of his father’s timely intervention, which led to success on the playing field.

He is now verging on the pinnacle of a great career, and was happy to document his work ethic in the gym, as well as the forest he used to run through as a kid in Brisbane. He has apparently never discussed or shown that forest to anyone, let alone had it documented on camera. A staunch family man, Brad says he’s touched that his kids will have a record of the hard work he’s put in, something for them to watch when they grow up.

The resounding message from Thorn is that the work ethic he has now didn’t come by luck or chance, but simply by making the decision to apply oneself. He hopes that the videos will help inspire youngsters to push through, despite possibly having a natural inclination to be lazy.

There are two parts below, the second of which can be viewed seperately, or not at all. It’s more targeted towards the gym work, as we get to witness his intense routine first hand, something that he’s mastered over the years. Robbie Fruean and Kieran Read watch on. Enjoy.


ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 160 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: These monster punts will be even more...

  • 162 WEEKS AGO

    50:22 law variation explained as only Wayne...

  • 292 WEEKS AGO

    Carlin Isles gym footage shows fascinating...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans call for Stuart Hogg to face punishment after altercation involving ball boy

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'I have win!' Mathieu Raynal's hilarious player interaction caught on ref mic

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All