Few players in Queensland rugby’s 132-year history have bled more Red than inspirational skipper James Horwill.
But Horwill will line up at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Saturday feeling as much fortune as pride in notching his 100-match Super Rugby milestone.
The abrasive 200cm lock has overcome a reckless early reputation and three major leg injuries which curtailed his career.
“It’s a team I cherish dearly and I’m really excited,” he said on Wednesday.
“It’s a huge milestone and I feel very lucky to achieve it.”
If not for ankle surgery in 2009, as he was blossoming as a young captain, followed by a full knee reconstruction a year later, Horwill would have cracked his Queensland ton two years earlier.
But it was the excruciating upper hamstring tear in Canberra, forcing him into unique surgery in 2012, that created most doubts on whether he’d return to his consistent rugby, let alone his best as Wallabies skipper.
“It was the toughest due to the uncertainty and the unknown that the injury carried with it,” the 28-year-old said. “When doctors and surgeons are unsure, those thoughts creep into your head.
“That’s what makes this game for me extra special.
Now 2014 looms as a significant year for the 2011 title-winning captain who’s set to gain his 50th Test cap against France in June.
Following a much-needed return to form on last year’s European tour, Horwill remains Australia’s premier second-rower and could well regain the captaincy against France.
“But the most important thing now is for us (Queensland) to get a win over in New Zealand,” he said.
While the 12th-placed Reds are skating on thin ice at 3-5, the Hurricanes have won their last three games to sit seventh and be rated the most impressive Kiwi side by former All Blacks playmaker Andrew Mehrtens.
“It’s a big game for us,” Horwill said. “If you give the Hurricanes backs too much time and give them free-running ball they can really carve you apart.”
Saia Fainga’a looms as a potential change at hooker following his barnstorming return from a shoulder injury off the bench in the last-start 23-20 loss to Brumbies.
But his brother, Anthony, is in danger of demotion with Mike Harris (ankle) back fit and available to give coach Richard Graham a midfield selection quandary.
Graham has confirmed Rod Davies will be given the big job of marking All Blacks winger Julian Savea ahead of the fit-again Dom Shipperley (hip).
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Guest
We do owe James Horwill. He has been great Hopefully there is a lot more to come. To excel again he needs some other like minded and like sized men around him.The power and go forward of the Reds is not as it used to be. If we had two of the back three like Potgeiter or Higginbotham or even Angus Cotterell who left Qld for the Force we would see James Horwill shine.The Hurricanes forwards showed the Reds up .The Reds at present do not have a pack to provide a solution to a power game displayed by the physical 8 man unit of the Hurricanes.
Combesy
Roar Guru
While I do agree with the reds having been on the end of bad luck lately. I still think he is yet to field our strongest team, yet to move taps to his preferred position and yet to put the only guy who bends the line back into the centres. The reds really miss last years gill, gill of 2014 have been focusing too much on defence and not enough on turnovers, pilfering and disturbing the oppositions ruck. That's what gill is made for
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Congratulations on the milestone, Kevvy! Hope he has a game to remember.
formeropenside
Guest
Gill is back maybe next week, more likely 2 weeks after that. Did his hammy kicking the ball against the Lions. Actually, now I think about it part of the reason S.Faingaa might be starting is for his ruck work.
jameswm
Guest
when is Gill back? What is his injury?
formeropenside
Guest
Ewen used to do the same thing, we cant call this as something specific to Graham. Heck, with just a little luck - as opposed to a whole pile of bad luck - the Reds could have only dropped the Tahs game to this point. Bad luck - or even bad handling - is not due to RG. The Reds really miss Gill though - against the Force and Brums Beau just rarely threatened to slow down or turnover ball, for all he tackles a lot. He's like Hooper without the running game.
Mike
Guest
Congratulations to him. Australia and Queensland owe this man a great debt.
Justin3
Guest
You cant get away with a 15 who lack something special these days, usually pace. It clogs up your attack as the defnce can too easily pick up the outside man when required but concentrate on shoring up the midfield. I like Lucas but he is a 10 trying to play 15.
Combesy
Roar Guru
Just another graham mystery
Digby
Roar Guru
Guess so? Anyway, will be interested to see how Slipper goes at TH against Franks. Should be interesting.
formeropenside
Guest
Yeah, I am a little surprised Holmes is getting a rest. He did pretty well against Sio, and never got the chance to come on against the backup Brumbies front row. No injuries that I know of; maybe he is just being rested a little.
Digby
Roar Guru
Holmes down on form? Surprised he is not starting?
Squirrel
Guest
Horwill was a great player but the injuries have affected his play. Hurricanes in a massacre.
formeropenside
Guest
Reds named. I'm not sure about Daley starting (or ahead of Anae at all) or JJ ahead of Davies, but there we are. 1. Ben Daley 2. Saia Fainga’a 3. James Slipper 4. Rob Simmons 5. James Horwill (C) (100th Queensland cap) 6. Eddie Quirk 7. Beau Robinson 8. Jake Schatz 9. Will Genia (VC) 10. Quade Cooper 11. Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 12. Mike Harris 13. Ben Tapuai (50th Queensland cap) 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia 15. Ben Lucas 16. James Hanson 17. Greg Holmes 18. Jono Owen 19. Ed O’Donoghue 20. Curtis Browning 21. Nick Frisby 22. Anthony Fainga’a 23. Rod Davies *Albert Anae (prop/hooker) will also travel with the team for its two-match tour of New Zealand.
AJ
Guest
"I’m really excited,” now that's the Big Kev I know. Get excited Big Fella!
formeropenside
Guest
Yeah, I remember that hammy tear, due to an illegal cleanout by a couple of Brumbies. Damn shame, but nice to see big Kev rack up the ton at last.
Adsa
Guest
Onya big Kev, hit the Canes hard in the ruck and set yourself the goal of leading by example when it comes to know penalties
Chan Wee
Guest
Could someone come up with a list of Super Rugby Centurions? maybe there are a 100 of them :)