Brad Thorn is rolling back the years with Leinster Rugby - and relishing the prospect of the Heineken Cup semi-final clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
The 37-year-old 2011 World Cup winning All Blacks lock has rapidly become key to the defending champions and if he helps them become only the second club to win back-to-back titles he will go into the tournament record books as the oldest Heineken Cup final medal winner.
"I just love the footie. I like being here, the challenge of being part of the Heineken Cup.," he said in justifying his move to Ireland when he was approached by Leinster scrum coach and fellow Kiwi Greg Feek.
"Leinster are a great side - I look at that Leinster back line and I look at some of the guys in the Leinster pack, Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien and all those different guys - there is some real talent out there. If they went out as a team and believed in themselves against the All Blacks you would think there is a good chance of doing something.
"The quarter-final against Cardiff Blues was more of a pressure game and I had a bit of feel for the team. I have had a few games and I enjoyed that game the most - and the atmosphere."
And helping the All Blacks claim a second World Cup crown lifted a massive burden from the shoulders of all New Zealand players as "there had been 24 years of frustration" and now he will be up against the likes of World Cup finalists Aurelien Rougerie and Wesley Fofana in Bordeaux.
"It was not pretty but it was a World Cup win. It was an emotional release at the end and it was pretty special and the whole country was just so happy," he added.
"Now I would like to be here until the end of whatever we can achieve - and hopefully that is deep into May."
And if that includes a Heineken Cup winners medal for Thorn he will go into the record books and relegate Darren Garforth to the second oldest winner
