The Prodigal son returns

Former Test forward Brad Thorn is not setting his sights too high as he begins his rugby league comeback in Bundaberg next weekend.

The giant back-rower, named in Brisbane's 19-man squad to play a pre-season trial against South Sydney, was one of rugby league's most feared ball runners before switching codes .

"It makes me cringe when I hear people say I'll just walk back into rugby league," said Thorn.

"People keep saying 'you'll be right', but a lot of hard work goes into it and hopefully this works out.

"There's no interchange which is a bit tough on us big guys."

Thorn hasn't played rugby league since helping Brisbane win its fifth premiership against the Roosters in Sydney in 2000.

He walked away from league to follow his dream of playing rugby union for the world famous All Blacks. Thorn said he was uncertain how he would perform in his comeback game or how long it would take him to find his form following four seasons playing rugby.

"I'm a couple of kilos heavier and a bit greyer," joked Thorn.

"Hopefully I've got some experience and I'm enthusiastic and I just want to enjoy my football.

"I've trained hard in the heat and I'm really keen to play league again."

Thorn will offer no objections if asked to play Brisbane's other two pre season matches against Melbourne on February 19 and Canberra on February 26.

He's keen to squeeze in as much game time as possible before Brisbane's NRL opener against their 2004 finals conquerors the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on March 13.

"Obviously the more I play the more I will get a feel for it, so we'll see what happens," he said.

Thorn will be joined in the Bundaberg trial by fellow NRL squad members Brett Seymour, returning from a knee reconstruction, Neville Costigan and also Michael Ryan who's competing for the hooking duties with Barry Berrigan who is also making a comeback from a neck injury.

Other selections in the 19-man squad include Australian Schoolboys rugby union winger Leon Bott, former Redcliffe try scoring machine Aaron Barba and Junior Kiwi hooker John TeReo.

Ian Blake, a member of the American Tomahawks side which stunned the Kangaroos in the US last December, gets his chance to wear the Broncos colours for the first time off the bench along with Nick Meyers, elder brother of Brad Meyers.

The side will be captained by 30-year-old journeyman Nick Seibold who is back playing with the Toowoomba Clydesdales after stints with Brisbane and Canberra in late 1990s.

Seibold has spent the last two seasons playing for the London Broncos and Hull KR in the English Super League.

Kevin Walters, who played alongside Thorn in the 2000 premiership team, will be the Broncos coach.

The 19-man Broncos squad is: Grant Booker, Leon Bott, Liam Campbell, Derrick Watkins, Gideon Mzembe, Aaron Barba, Brett Seymour, Brad Thorn, Michael Ryan, Anthony Seibold (c), Jason McDougall, Neale Wyatt, Neville Costigan.

Interchange: John TeReo, Leon Rotumah, Peter Draper, Tee Levu, Ian Blake and Nick Meyers. Coach: Kevin Walters.