Discarded All Black selector set to join Bristol
February 27, 2002

Zurich Premiership side Bristol are set to benefit from the coaching services of discarded All Black selector Peter Thorburn.

His move means the entire All Black selection panel from last year - coach Wayne Smith, assistant Tony Gilbert and Thorburn - will be dispensing their rugby wisdom in Britain.

Thorburn last coached regularly at North Harbour in 1997 but was a national selector in 2000 and 2001. That latest stint reignited his passion for coaching.

"Rugby is all about playing or coaching and the latter is the only option now for me," he said.

Thorburn will join the Shoguns as a forwards coach for the remainder of the current season and will form part of Ryan's coaching team which includes Backs Coach James Grant, Fitness Coach Mark Bennett and Technical Advisor and Kicking Coach Mark Tainton.

Commenting on the Club's official website Jack Rowell, Managing Director at the Shoguns, said: "Peter has extensive hands-on experience coaching North Harbour in the National Provincial
Championship. Additionally, he's worked for the All Blacks national set-up including experience with the sevens, 'A' team and two World Cups working alongside Laurie Mains and Wayne Smith."

Thorburn's move sets up an interesting date in three weeks time when Bristol play Northampton, the club now under the coaching control of former All Black coach Wayne Smith.

The last of the former panel, Gilbert, is coaching in Scotland.

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