Horne fit and ready for All Blacks
Wallabies centre Rob Horne faces a monster assignment containing Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu in the Bledisloe Cup opener, but will relish the welcomed change of focusing on the All Blacks heavyweights rather than his own body.
Saturday night will be Horne’s 13th Test but, after a trying few years plagued by injuries, the Waratahs hard man feels like he’s born again.
If it’s to be like a second debut, then it’s sure to be a baptism of fire against the most intimidating midfield in world rugby.
Williams isn’t a confirmed starter, although it’s expected the New Zealand Rugby Union will rubber stamp the insurance bill needed to get him on the park.
Horne for one wants Sonny Bill to take his place before he heads to club rugby in Japan, then the NRL.
Although more likely to go head-to-head with Nonu, now that Pat McCabe is out injured, Horne will play a vital role in running Australia’s midfield defence.
And with his mind clear of fitness worries, the no-nonsense No.13 is seeking a physical battle with the best.
“(Williams) is a gifted athlete and he’s in some great form. He provides a lot for them, a lot of go forward and they strive off the back of that. It will be a challenge no doubt,” said Horne.
“I think you can’t not (love the physicality) when you’re playing in the centres. You have to embrace that side of things.
“Outside of the World Cup it’s the biggest game you can play.”
Horne’s direct running and tough persona makes him a favourite of coach Robbie Deans and certainly, with McCabe gone, he’ll be charged with the responsibility of setting the foundation out wide.
After playing all three June Tests against Wales, he might seem like he’s established himself as Australia’s outside centre, but Horne doesn’t see it that way.
Countless injury setbacks since his NSW debut in 2008 have taught him not to take anything for granted.
The Southern Districts junior is due to celebrate his 23rd birthday three days before Saturday’s ANZ Stadium blockbuster and as far as he’s concerned, his career is only just beginning.
“My body feels good. It’s a nice change to be focusing on the opposition instead of just thinking about my body going into a game. That’s been refreshing,” said Horne.
“I’ve had to adapt my preparation so that every day I prepare to train. Not just rock up and train, but do some things to wake up my body and get going.
“I’ve got a long way to go. My only goal this year was to be fit and healthy and be playing every week. That’s a huge confidence boost for me, I just haven’t had that (before).”
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (11) | Page 1 of Comments
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August 13th 2012 @ 9:59am
Farmer said | August 13th 2012 @ 9:59am | Report comment
Unfortunately, I think there is general concensus from Roar bloogers that Horne is not up to Test rugby and in fact struggles to achieve a satisfactory standard at Super Rugby level.
He is one of those players that is unable to live up to the hype. His defence is poor (one of the highest missed tackle counts in SR) and rarely delivers in attack.
He looks like he should be a good rugby player, but looks can be deceiving. He talks a good game, but then again, so does Tom Carter. They always have plenty to say but unfortunately, that is the best part of their game.
Cheers
August 13th 2012 @ 10:04am
post said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Please just go away Horne.
August 13th 2012 @ 10:06am
Riccardo said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:06am | Report comment
It is refreshing to see someone this keen to go to the slaughterhouse.
I would like to afford Rob more respect but his selection at this level is a mistake IMO.
August 13th 2012 @ 10:53am
A Bedeian said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:53am | Report comment
Add McCabe to the “not up to test standard”, but he does try hard and he is an upstanding young man
August 13th 2012 @ 11:42am
Riccardo said | August 13th 2012 @ 11:42am | Report comment
While I agree McCabe has been a little one-dimensional in the past he has had his best Super Rugby season this year and looks to be adding a passing game to his repertoire.
August 13th 2012 @ 12:29pm
formeropenside said | August 13th 2012 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
McCabe is not a 12, but I think could be a good Test 13. If only he got to play there.
Horne is simply not test standard.
August 13th 2012 @ 2:18pm
Comrade Bear said | August 13th 2012 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
Stupid Question – but is Ben Horne related to Rob at all?
August 13th 2012 @ 7:13pm
murph73 said | August 13th 2012 @ 7:13pm | Report comment
Not a stupid question but I doubt there’s a link. Surely. That said, I’m sure Benny gets a biscuit every time he writes an sycophantic ARU press release disguised as a media article.
August 13th 2012 @ 8:43pm
DC of nz said | August 13th 2012 @ 8:43pm | Report comment
I went to the saders v Tahs game where Freuan just ran thru or past him…Horne is positionally inexperienced …
August 13th 2012 @ 9:28pm
stu said | August 13th 2012 @ 9:28pm | Report comment
Horne is an actor, looks like a number 13, but plays like an U13. He struggles at s15, can’t understand what deans sees in him. Much rather see Cummins or Lachlan Mitchell or A.Smith have a crack in the role.
August 13th 2012 @ 10:52pm
Sportym said | August 13th 2012 @ 10:52pm | Report comment
I so so want to support Deans and believe he is the right man for the job, but selecting Horne… Thats a fail, and not the first time.
Horne should be dropped from the Tahs, making the wallabies is a joke.