Thorn tips Cheetahs to test Crusaders pack | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

The Cheetahs are bottom of Super 14, but in-form lock Brad Thorn reckons tomorrow night's match at AMI Stadium could be the toughest so far for the Crusaders forwards.

Thorn's superb form and seamless transition back to rugby after three seasons with the Broncos have people talking about an All Black jersey for him again.

The Cheetahs have lost four from four but, as in last week's two-point loss to the Chiefs, haven't been outclassed.

And Thorn says they could give the Crusaders forwards their biggest test so far.

"The size of their forwards, they maul really well, they scrum really well, and they've got a great lineout," he said.

The Cheetahs' set piece was exceptional, and they'd be "busting a gut" for their first win.

The Force's success at the breakdown and on counter-attack last week killed any complacency in the Crusaders camp. "We want to go into this game full of intensity and just do the little things," said Thorn.

He's surprised himself at just how perfectly he's slotted back into rugby.

"It's been really weird," he said. "I think it's just been the familiarity with the players, with the coach, the coaching staff have been massive for me, and I'm pretty happy with family life here as well. So all my stuff's come together!"

The ELVs also suit his athletic game, and Thorn said with the ball in play more they were great for rugby.

"If league had an advantage over rugby, it was people like to see the ball thrown around, and with these new laws, you keep the lineout, your keep the scrummaging, but you're seeing more ball in play and people love seeing that. So I think it's given rugby a bit more of an edge in competition with league."

As for wearing the black jersey again - after losing finals with the Crusaders in 2003 and 2004, his main goal this time is the title. Anything else would be "bonus stuff."