Champions Do Extra by Brad Thorn

Brad Thorn has never been the loudest man in the room, but you always knew when he was on the field and when he spoke that it was worth listening to. Thorn may just be the greatest rugby league/rugby union player of the modern era, with more titles and representative honours in both codes than anyone I can recall. In his book Champions Do Extra, he proves—yet again—that you do not need social or media volume to have real impact where it counts… on the field.

Thorn has proven countless times in both rugby league and rugby union and indeed in life, that to succeed, what you need is consistency, humility, and a willingness to do the work long after everyone else has packed up and gone home. Thorn’s book is a masterclass in exactly that, and his conversation with Robbie Deans about shuttle runs in the first very few pages of the book … and the fact that he hates them, but he is doing extras after practice sets the tone for the entire book.

Across codes, across continents, and across decades, Thorn built a career on habits, deeds, and disciplines rather than hype. The book isn’t a chest‑beating autobiography or, as many autobiographies are these days, the author telling us about encounters with famous people they have met; it’s a blueprint for personal standards and aspiring athletes. Thorn takes readers inside the mindset that turned him from a solid young athlete into a dual‑code great: small daily disciplines, forest runs, honest advice from his father, relentless preparation, and a refusal to cut corners even when no one is watching.

What stands out is the simplicity. Thorn does not pretend there is a secret hack or an easy path. He talks about his faith, training, recovery, and mental attitude with the same straight-up-the-middle honesty he played with. His reflections on being true to yourself are especially strong—quiet authority, high expectations, hard graft, and the courage to hold yourself to the same standards you demand of others.

Thorn’s philosophy is not about talent; it is about character. It is about showing up early, staying late, and doing the unglamorous things that build trust and credibility. As an ex‑rugby forward myself, I could not help but smile as I read Brad’s story—there’s a lot in here that feels like the’ tight five’ mantra in rugby: uncompromising effort, shared responsibility, and pride in the graft without perhaps the accolades that others get.

Champions Do Extra is a reminder that excellence is not a single event or hype; it is a habit. Brad Thorn demonstrated that truth on the field many times, and this book captures it with clarity and humility. Whether you are chasing performance, leading a team, or just trying to be a better human, there is something here worth carrying forward.

5/5 stars, a must-read for any rugby fan, player or those looking for a champion's advice on how to succeed in any venture, be that life or a sporting code.

Reviewer: Bryan Ward HarperCollins