Thorn suffered defeat with the Crusaders in the Super 12 final

The 29-year-old, who missed out on selection for the Tri-Nations series, will join the Brisbane Broncos on a three-year contract.

Thorn left Brisbane to switch codes in 2000 and picked up 12 All Blacks caps.

Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said: "It was always his intention to end his career here after he pursued his dream of playing for New Zealand."