A surprise recall for the All Blacks
- By Jerry Glasier
- Published 06/28/2006
- Rugby
- Unrated
Jerry Glasier
Jerry Glasier lives in New Zealand where the only religion is rugby. He is currently playing premier club rugby and has helped do scouting for the Hawkes Bay NPC team, now under ex-coach Kieran Keane. Glasier also represented Hawkes Bay at age group basketball.
View all articles by Jerry GlasierIn a surprise move, the All Blacks coaches recalled ex-Captain Reuben Thorne when the New Zealand All Blacks squad was named Tuesday.
It is a surprise, because everyone thought that he had played his last test in 2003 for the All Blacks after he was passed over for younger and more talented players. But, a mixture of injuries and poor form from other players has put the 41-test veteran, Captain of 22 tests, back into the mix for the upcoming Tri Nations tests against Australia and South Africa.
Despite showing probably the best form in his Super Rugby career, Thorne was not named in the squads to play the recent tests against Ireland and Argentina.
Instead he was offered the captaincy role for the Junior All Blacks, despite being 31 years of age. Surprisingly, he declined the role, wanting to have some time off, and because he wasn't named in the squads to play Ireland and Argentina, his name wasn't even suggested as a possible for the upcoming Tri-Nations.
There are, of course, no guarantees that he'll play much, but Thorne sounded excited to be back in the squad and so do his fans. It also shows people that if you stick to your guns and keep pursuing your goals, then you can achieve them.