The last time Horwill played at home, he hoisted Queensland’s first Super 15 trophy by defeating the most successful franchise in Super history, the Crusaders, 18-13.
Next Saturday, Horwill faces the most dominant Tri-Nations country with the All Blacks claiming 10 of the 15 tournaments played, the Boks have won three, the Wallabies two.
The All Blacks are the defending champions, but the Wallabies haven’t won the Tri-Nations since 2001.
Horwill has history in his hands.
It will be intriguing to see how All Black coach Graham Henry treats Suncorp.
Last night in Port Elizabeth, he went in with a virtually second string side, leaving frontline selections Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith, Brad Thorn, Kieran Reid, and Owen Franks at home – and paid the price on the scoreboard.
But the stringers created more than enough chances to win, failing to execute at crunch time.
In the wash-up, the All Blacks scored the only try of the game in the first half, from a forward pass, and had another illegally knocked back by the TMO from a blatant forward pass in the second half that was missed by Irish referee George Clancy, and his two touchies.
And the All Blacks had the gall to bitch about it, claiming it wasn’t the TMO’s brief to rule on a forward pass – and they were right.
But it was forward, so the end result was dead right.
What came out of last night?
The Boks are back in business to defend their World Cup in New Zealand.
It was their only win from four in the Tri-Nations, but they played with some long-lost passion, meeting many promising All Blacks raids with crunching defence.
But they had to rely heavily on Morne Steyn’s incredible boot that landed five from five penalties, four of them from long range – and a drop goal from two.
Steyn is vital to the Boks’ chances in the Cup. He’s been out of sorts for sometime, not only with his kicking, but in general play.
He’s back as well.
Sadly for John Smit, the most capped captain in international rugby history with 76, the axe is about to fall with champion lock Victor Matfield installed as Cup skipper.
Matfield led the side superbly last night, Smit came off the bench and was way off the pace. He’s about to feel as gutted as Rocky Elsom who was sacked last Thursday as Wallaby captain.
But Elsom will be in New Zealand – it’s highly unlikely Smit will be joining him.
From the All Blacks point of view, injury-prone full-back Israel Dagg had a blinder. Every time he touched the ball something positive happened, and he must be in the 30-man All Black Cup squad to be named on Tuesday, in Brisbane.
And a special salute to Sonny Bill Williams. For some unfathomable reason, he’s still not recognised for what he is, a world-class centre in attack and defence, who has no peer off-loading under intense pressure.
Eight of his 10 off-loads last night were spectacular, how on earth he was able to slip the pass defied description. He’s a class act alright, and he’s putting enormous pressure on Graham Henry for a permanent starting XV berth, despite the presence of evergreen Ma’a Nono.
So to Saturday, and the block-buster to not only decide the Tri-Nations, but the ultimate confidence booster for the World Cup.
It’s doubtful James O’Connor will be on Wallaby duty, having suffered a brain explosion the night before the team announcement for the Cup, and was too hungover to make an appearance.
By any standards that’s not acceptable. He’s a good kid who should not only know better, but be more committed.
And that’s what will win out on Saturday – commitment.
The All Blacks always have bucket-loads of that commodity with Richie McCaw at the helm.
It’s James Horwill’s turn to see if he can match his opposite number.
happychap
Roar Rookie
Christ, was there anything in PeterK's statement that was incorrect? Yes, the Wallabies will be stronger with the inclusion of those players. It will be a significant improvement. Stop being so precious - not everything is an attack on New Zealand.
Drew Musch
Guest
I think New Zealand showed a similar level of disrespect to be honest. There's been a lot of talk about teams sending out B squads: SA and Australia have done it and lost, and got hammered in the media for it. NZ are just as guilty.
Chick
Guest
I don't see anywhere that they expected to win Happychap, they were always going to test combinations in this test. Sure they wanted to win but they didn't expect to win. I love it how posters such as yourself tend to forget your own teams failings yet constantly look for failings in the ABs. Or like you have done blatantly fabricate stories. sure some fans may haae been predicting a win but now where ever have I seen or heard any claim from the ABs that they were going to win in SA. It's no different to the legion of Australian posters who expected to beat the 10th ranked nation at home in Australia with ease. Not only was it embarrassing it was arrogance in the highest order
Wal the Hooker
Guest
When did the Kiiwis whinge about the TMO David and co? http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/blame-lack-of-maturity-not-tmo-for-loss-says-henry-20110821-1j4hi.html Beaten fair and square mates
jeremy
Guest
OK, so if Digby Ioane is pulled back 75 metres because of a Cooper forward pass, you're fine with it being disallowed by the TMO if it's not picked up by the ref?
jeremy
Guest
Can't count higher than 6 phases eh Droppa? Take off your boots and use your toes as well.
Nick_KIA
Guest
But whatever the boundary, the TMO will still want to comment on issues just before the boundary when he sees them. Hence what happened in the weekend. Also there'd be controversy about the definition of a phase. I think you'd need to go back to the last stoppage if you went this way, which they've resisted to minimise the time for reviews but is probably the only way to improve the situation. Or else need to sanction the TMO and reinforce the rule and apologise to the ABs for not awarding what would have been a try in error!
west
Guest
All Blacks will roll out big guns for Brisbane expect at least 10 changes from All Blacks Springbok test team, named on tuesday. Good to see Wallabies have new captain should make a difference if Horwill can handle test pressure especially from a All Blacks team that will be keen to erase a loss the week before.
happychap
Guest
Bit delicate eh Chuck?
happychap
Guest
What's more arrogant? Australia playing their B side at home against the 10th ranked team and expecting to win OR New Zealand playing their B side away from home against the 3rd ranked side and expecting to win.
happychap
Guest
Chuck, you said: "There is no pyscological advantage it is all perception." You then instantly followed this up with: "The big question mark hanging over the Wallabies heads is they may go into the cup having beat NZ but they will go into the cup knowing they have not beaten NZ at home in years and more importanly they will know that they were recently soundly beaten at Eden park where the finals bar two QFs will be played. Why do you instantly change your standpoint? An Australian victory will have no effect on NZ because psychological advantage is not real, but if NZ win Australia will have to deal with the psychological effects? Does psychological advantage only apply when it's the All Blacks over the Wallabies? I suggest to take a little more time thinking through your your hypothesis.
happychap
Guest
Wait, so you tell others to be graceful and humble but openly admit to not doing it yourself?
Ben S
Roar Guru
I dunno... there was a lot of kicking in 2007...
bennalong
Guest
great contribution Jerry
kaha
Guest
ps thats the wallaby players I'm talking about, wallaby fans I have friendly banter with. It's the players that pi.....s me off, they should take a look at the way john eales wallaby team used to celebrate wins
Nathan
Roar Pro
The outcome of next weeks match will be decided by which Haka they choose.
Ai Rui Sheng
Guest
Indeed it would be very loose if they lose two in a row.
Ai Rui Sheng
Guest
The Wannabes will have forgottwen this advice by the time they ever win again.
kaha
Guest
Chuck if you read correctly I said in south africa didn't mention the ones left at home. So it was the best team they could put out. Just because I don't belive in a 1st or 2nd best all black teams to me they're the all blacks, and to be arrogant they should still beat the other team. I was hoping nobody would try to use that 2nd best team crap, for an excuse
kaha
Guest
If you read my comments on that game I said that the wallabies didn't play badly they had most of the territory most of the ball, and won the secound half. What upsets me about the wallabies is how they like to rub it in the faces of the opposition when they do win, and what they say when mouthing off. One of my sporting heroes must of had the biggest mouth in all of sport. Mahamud ali. But the difference is he backed his mouth up which these wallaby players can't do. Sure we could lose to another team at the world cup. but what the springboks did to us is the best gameplan to beat us I don't think australia has got the forwards to bash us up like the boks. That I don't think is being arrogant,.