Brad Thorn gets ok for training

Brad Thorn will return to the Brisbane Broncos after Christmas after some doubts over when the three-time premiership winning forward would rejoin the club for pre-season training.

Thorn, who achieved his dream of playing for the All Blacks in the 2003 rugby World Cup, sought permission from Broncos coach Wayne Bennett to take December off after playing provincial rugby in New Zealand until the end of October.

Broncos managing director Bruno Cullen said Bennett's direction did not filter back to the coaching staff until after performance director Gary Belcher had released the players' program indicating Thorn would return on December 15.

"There was a little confusion over what was happening," Cullen said. "It's nothing major. Brad played club rugby until the end of October because his side played and won the grand final."

Thorn played in the Broncos' 1997-98 and 2000 premiership sides before deciding he wanted to return to New Zealand, where he was born, and play rugby union.

He played four seasons for Super 12 side, the Canterbury Crusaders, until signing a three-season deal which ties him to the Broncos until the end of 2007.

The Broncos, minus Thorn and their Kangaroo representatives, started pre-season work last Wednesday.