Dunedin - Brad Thorn may link with the Highlanders to play one last season of rugby, back in the province where it all started.

According to the NZ Herald website, Thorn, who will be 38 in February, is believed to have met Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph in Japan last month and agreed to play for the Dunedin-based franchise next year.

Although he is closer to 40 than 30, Thorn has played at the top level for 18 years, in rugby and league, and has won almost everything in both forms of the game.

Along with new additions in All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock and hooker Andrew Hore, the Highlanders' forward pack will have a look of steel about it.

Thorn last played in this country for the All Blacks at last year's Rugby World Cup.

He then left for Japan on a two-year deal to play for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues. That contract will finish in late February, just in time to play for the Highlanders.

Early this year, Thorn signed a three-month contract with Irish club Leinster and won the Heineken Cup.

Thorn may be coming to a New Zealand side from Japan, but it is believed Ma'a Nonu is going the other way. Nonu has yet to confirm what side he will play for next year but there is a strong chance he may now head overseas.

The Highlanders were keen to land Nonu but that appears unlikely now.