Peter Thorburn

Peter Robert Tyler Thorburn, MNZM, is a New Zealand rugby union former player and a current coach. He played as a flanker.

He was a player for Aukland until 1985, when he finished his career. He became the first coach of the North Harbour rugby team, since his launching in 1985 to 1991.

He worked previously for New Zealand national rugby union team and was also a coach, then Director of Rugby at English club Bristol Rugby from 2001 to 2003.

He was nominated interim coach of USA national rugby union team, in April 2006, latter becoming effective. He was expected to perform well at 2007 Rugby World Cup finals, but after a promising 10-28 loss to England, USA managed only to achieve a bonus point at the 21-25 loss to Samoa.

In the 2013 New Year Honours, Thorburn was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby.