Leading team by example | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

BRAD THORN, who re-signed last week for the Crusaders for two more seasons, talks to sports editor Nick Tolerton...

What swung it for you to stay in Christchurch? My main goals are in this country playing rugby with the Crusaders and hopefully with the All Blacks. And also my family are very happy here. And it's close to Aussie as well!

Your leadership's obviously important this season with so many of the ABs who did stay out with injuries? We've got a great coaching staff and good young enthusiastic guys, and it's a little bit of helping them in the right direction, but not overdoing. Make sure they express themselves but try and help them out in different areas when they need it.

Do you want to get into coaching? Don't know, mate. Might be nice to be involved in football in some capacity, but we'll see what happens.

How do you score the season so far? If things had gone a bit differently at the start of the year, we could be at the top of the table. The thing that's really impressed me about this group of young guys is that usually young guys can play a few games but then after a while the wear and tear grinds them down and there might be a 40-point blowout, but they've kept fighting for eight games.

Well, you haven't lost by more than six points, but the team's copped some harsh criticism? There seems to be a fair bit of negativity about rugby at the moment. You're talking about the ELVs, talking about low standard of rugby, but you know, you can look at the negatives but you can look at the positives as well. And there's a whole lot of young men at this club who are fronting and playing tough, close rugby, and it shows a lot of character. And if you care about the team you support, you'd feel pretty proud of them.

Would you like to see any rules changed? Just the one where they collapse the maul. I think it takes it out of the game a bit. I think the mauling's a good thing because it brings the forwards in, terrific for the forwards, but it also gives the backs a chance to have a crack. You get one guy who can collapse a maul now. The scrum and mauling is good - it brings in the numbers so the space widens and you can get some good movement, and that's probably what people enjoy seeing, a bit of backline play.

The Sharks on Saturday in Durban, probably your hardest match of the season. What's impressed you about them? They're a smart side, not just your big aggressive South African team. You've got to be wary of them the whole game. They are big aggressive guys and all the rest, but they've got an intelligent game, they're very sharp in the backs and stuff. An example - Kankowski, the No.8, he's not like any other South African forward I've seen, he's just finesse and he's quite graceful to watch. He's a real athlete. And they're winners.

Who's your pick to win the NRL? Hard to tell this early, it's a long year, but I'm a Broncos man so it's easy for me! I'll go Broncos.

What about the Warriors? I had real hopes for them this year, but Brent Tate is a real big loss. He's a strike weapon and a good team man. But they'll definitely be in the eight.

Favourite movie? Star Wars. Return of the Jedi.

TV? I don't watch much, but comedy, sports stuff.

Music - what fires you up for a game? I don't really get pumped up on music before games like the other guys, but I like a range from classical to heavy metal, Metallica, Alicia Keys.

Last book you read? I read my Bible daily.

Favourite holiday destination. Sunshine Coast - Mooloolaba.

Favourite meal? I love a lot of meals! Meat, chips, eggs, milk shakes, ice cream - put that altogether. And mushroom sauce. On the steak!

Will the team nutritionist approve? No!

Interests away from footie? Family and friends. With five, four, and two-year-old sons, and a baby due in June, I'm involved the whole time.

Own up to some vices? I love chocolate and I'm a big food fan. I could be a lot bigger than I am. I get so much pleasure out of eating!

Team mates. Who's the worst roomie? Shane Webcke used to be pretty grumpy, but he's all right. Norm Maxwell was good fun!

Team stirrer at the Crusaders? Probably me. I'm always having banter and stirring up some fun and niggles.

Who spends most time in front of the mirror? Probably me as well! Just behind me, Ross Filipo. He's always waxing.

Worst hairstyle in the team? Nasi Manu. He's got a normal haircut, but this tuft of stuff. He's got a mate who's got the same little tuft of hair. It's like a little bond, but I struggle with it. I want to get some scissors. I love Nasi, but I'm tempted to trim it!

Favourite electronic gadget? I'm old school, really, but I guess the computer. I check what's going in Brisie each day on the Courier-Mail website.