Top coach backs Thorn
March 6, 2001

One of rugby's foremost forwards and skills coaches believes league convert Brad Thorn will feature in New Zealand's World Cup campaign in 2003.

Queensland Reds skills coach Alex Evans said the former Brisbane Broncos league international had adapted well at No.8 for Super 12 champions Canterbury.

Thorn has always dreamt of playing for the All Blacks and after winning last year's National Rugby League premiership with the Broncos made the significant switch to chase his dream.

Critics have been quick to declare the move a failure, but Evans and Thorn's former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett are confident the giant No.8 will be a success.

"There's no doubt in my mind he'll be in the next World Cup (in 2003)," Evans told AAP. "This year will be invaluable for him.

"I think he's adjusted very well already and he's not far off the pace. I think he'll be awesome once he gets it all together."

Evans believed the only area where Thorn was struggling to adapt to at this early stage was getting to the breakdown, but said it would only be a matter of time before he was comfortable in the position.

"The fact he's out there coping well speaks volumes for him," Evans said. "He's also using some of his rugby league skills in tackles and that will rub off on some of the union players."

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