Broncos not chasing Brad Thorn

Brisbane has no plans to head hunt its former back-row giant Brad Thorn, whose football future is uncertain after missing a lucrative New Zealand rugby union contract.

Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said any negotiations with the Canterbury forward would probably have to be initiated by him.

Cullen, in the process of re-signing eight Broncos before the NRL's anti-tampering deadline expires on June 30, said Thorn could still make the All Blacks squad for 2005 if there were some injuries.

He said negotiations with Thorn, who played 143 games for Brisbane between 1995 and 2000, would have to take place in the next month.

Thorn, who missed an All Blacks contract after playing in this week's Possible versus Probables trial in New Zealand, said he was going to take some time out to spend with his wife and son before making a decision on next season.

While Cullen said Thorn's name had not been discussed this week, he did not rule out having talks with him if his situation changed.

"We're not going to get excited about it until Thorny makes up his own mind what he wants to do," said Cullen.

"He's still a chance to play for New Zealand and if that was the case, that's when the big dollars kick in.

"He probably doesn't want to do anything until he knows one way or another if he's going to stay with rugby or not."

Cullen said if Thorn was thinking about returning to the Broncos he would need to decide sooner, rather than later.

"We'd probably need to know within a month because of the June 30 deadline," said Cullen.

With the emergence of several young players such as Tom Learoyd, Neville Costigan and Sam Thaiday, Brisbane have some big players coming through to join the likes of Corey Parker and Dane Carlaw.