Mon 7 Sep 2015 | 10:07
Brad Thorn tackle breaks ribs of reality TV star in charity match

14
Comments

Amongst all the excitement of World Cup warm up matches, on Friday night a mixed celebrity and players England XV took on a mixed World XV in the inaugural Rugby Aid fixture. The match was to benefit the Rugby Aid charity, people who work alongside returning servicemen and women to help adjust back to civilian life after conflict.

Mike Tindall led the England XV, alongside a list of rugby greats, including Simon Shaw, playing against such greats as Shane Byrne, AJ Venter and Justin Marshall.

The game was played in very good nature, with professionals lining up alongside ex-footballers, dancers and even a World's Strongest Man competitor. Hit of the game however went to Brad Thorn, as shown in the video below.

Although it crosses the line to a yellow card, both Thorn and Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing saw the funny side of it. The smallest player on the field made the error of running sideways, and was cut off brutally by a hit from a man over double his weight, rotating and landing heavily on his back. Thorn was quick to apologise, and shared a joke with Laing as he jogged off the field to pantomime villain booing.

There was no intent or malice in the hit, instinct took over and the sheer force of a cross-code southern hemisphere warhorse vs a dainty reality TV star was too much to handle!

"This is the price you pay for putting your body on the line for England Rugby... Loved every moment #crackedribs #stillplayedon" Laing later tweeted.

Taking on professionals rarely ends well… Remember this clip from 2000 showing what happened when two Jackass stars joined in on a London Irish training session?

View more big hits from the fixture | Watch the full match

 

A quick big hits recap, thanks to BT Sport

Watch a full match replay of the charity game from Friday night

14 Comments

  • stroudos
    10:12 AM 14/09/2015

    This bloke was on Celebrity Juice the other night. He was all right.

  • stroudos
    10:07 AM 14/09/2015

    Blimey, so it was! Disappointing to say the least. I know he was a gobby prick when he played, but didn't think this was his kind of thing...

  • drg
    11:49 AM 10/09/2015

    If this is a little gripe then I'd hate to see what a big gripe is....

    I wasn't making out the bloke was a pansy (?) He got smashed by Thorn and got up... How can anyone be a pansy if they do that?!? What I'm saying is the guys hashtagged himself with 'well done' hashtags.. Seems a bit self satisfying.

    Rich_W is allowed his opinions but where he said that this guy got smashed by Thorn and therefore deserves respect.... Why? I don't think I've been 'smashed' in a while, but if I get levelled this Saturday should I get respect from it?!?

    "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything".... I'll avoid pointing out the irony, but more importantly didn't you read my last sentence, the one in brackets? "(other than the honour of playing with/against them)."

    It would be an honour for this guy to play against or with those world greats.... seems pretty nice no? :D

  • vardasnejonas
    9:17 PM 09/09/2015

    #10 was Justin marshall

  • drg
    7:14 PM 08/09/2015

    You're correct that my comment was based on preconceptions... But that human speedbump effect he had on Gomarsal wasn't exactly technique of the season and if getting smashed by Brad Thorn means you gain respect then sign me up.... Had HE smashed THORN, I'd be inclined to dish out kudos... But getting smashed isn't really anything to brag about.. (other than the honour of playing with/against them).

  • rich_w
    4:51 PM 08/09/2015

    Terry Hollands, AKA 'Big Tel' UK regular in worlds strongest man competitions, think he tips the scales at a fleet footed 30 stone.

  • rich_w
    4:50 PM 08/09/2015

    Come on now, you're making rash judgements based on your preconceptions. In this video he takes down Andy Gommarsal with a covering tackle and rides a rib tickler from Brad Thorn, I think that deserves a little respect. Did you watch the game? He was great player. Would've won MOTM had England not lost. And he was taken away post match to have an xray.

  • jimmy23
    11:53 PM 07/09/2015

    Who the hell is that monstrosity at 0:18? I don't recognise him.

  • guy
    9:34 PM 07/09/2015

    Brave..retarded..potato..tomato.. There's a fine line between those 2 things in rugby, I guess.

    There was a bit of wendyball-kind-of-off-the-ball-stuff going on now and then. But I reckon that is a matter of instinct kicking in with some of the non regular rugby players.

  • drg
    9:23 PM 07/09/2015

    ""This is the price you pay for putting your body on the line for England Rugby... Loved every moment #crackedribs #stillplayedon" Laing later tweeted. "

    Yeh, when I see the xray's I'll believe it... Seems like a cry for attention by a modern 'celebrity'...

  • stroudos
    8:55 PM 07/09/2015

    Sorry Guy, but I don't consider that brave. It's just retarded.

    Also on the second video (big tackles compilation), who's the dick in black #10 shirt? Nice tackle made by white #7 then this clown shoves his hands in the guy's face. Wonder what that's about?

  • 10stonenumber10
    3:22 PM 07/09/2015

    He is from Made In Chelsea... London's answer to Jersey Shore. Part reality, part scripted pop culture TV, usually famed for their fake tans and drinking habits.

    Much respect to the guy, you've got to be made of stern stuff to walk away from Brad Thorn's shoulder. I thought he knocked himself out making that cover tackle too. I didn't know he played for England schoolboys, but it is still impressive. Once a rugby player, always a rugby player.

  • guy
    2:51 PM 07/09/2015

    Take a look at his tackle in the 78th minute. Absolutely never heard of this guy but what he lacks in body weights he more than compensates for in bravery.

  • stroudos
    2:21 PM 07/09/2015

    Wonderful stuff. I'm delighted to say I have no idea who this guy is, but the video has made my day!