The Wallabies’ single try for their triumph in the 1991 World Cup final is an historic yet bland lineout rumble over the line from point-blank range.
World Cup highlights packages are a rapid-fire series of joyous moments but they are often a serious fail on the full story.
The Roar is counting down the Wallabies’ Greatest World Cup XV of all time from No. 15-1 with thanks to thousands of votes from our readers
How did the Wallabies get the throw-in to that 5m lineout on England’s tryline about half an hour into the final at Twickenham?
England flyhalf Rob Andrew had dinked a kick deep into the Wallabies’ 22. Young Wallabies centre Tim Horan snaffled the kick with his back to the defence. In a twinkling, he’d bumped off two burly Englishmen who could have stopped him right there.
Horan dashed another 45m before grubbering a perfect kick ahead which England fullback Jon Webb had to escort into touch.
The full story was Horan’s 80m play setting up the game-breaking try … and it’s almost never shown on the highlights!
This is all a long-winded way to say the Prince of Centres had as much to do with winning the 1991 World Cup as he did in 1999.
There were few positions in The Roar’s Greatest Wallabies RWC XV that took two seconds for a voting decision. It took a single second to ink in “T Horan”.
He was a savvy 21-year-old who worked out very quickly in 1991 that loitering around David Campese would have its pay-offs.
Tim Horan during a 1991 World Cup match against Argentina. (Photo by Marc Francotte/TempSport/Corbis via Getty Images)
He scored a try off Campese’s shoulder against Argentina and then completed one of the great World Cup tries in history to sink the All Blacks in the semi-final in Dublin.
“Campo” ran a perfect angle to collect a Michael Lynagh kick ahead. Somehow, the winger then flipped a no-look pass over his shoulder, Horan swooped and scored.
Horan’s fast feet and strength through contact were two of his best features. Just getting to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa showed the resilience of a champion.
Horan had damaged his knee so badly during Queensland’s victory in the 1994 Super 10 final in Durban that medicos likened the injury to a car crash victim.
There were doubts he’d walk properly again. Playing rugby again was a mountain to climb and certainly with no guarantee he’d ever play to his dynamic best.
A long, painful and determined rehabilitation got him to the 1995 tournament where he did play three games.
By 1999, he was back to his very best and the worthy man-of-the-tournament.
He was now a centre of vast experience as well as polish and timing.
One of the finest matches of his career was the semi-final victory over South Africa in extra-time at Twickenham.
He made one of his trademark, veering 40m runs and crashtackled Percy Montgomery as two highlights in the tense 27-21 armwrestle which did not feature a try.
He stayed on the field deep into the contest which defied being so sick in the build-up he’d been vomiting and battling stomach cramps.
Winning a second final was a crowning achievement for Horan, whose decorated career spanned 80 Tests.
All were in the starting side – just as he had to be in The Roar‘s Greatest Wallabies RWC XV.
Tim Horan is your choice of No.12 for The Roar’s Greatest Wallabies Rugby World Cup XV, powered by ASICS, the Official Performance Apparel and Footwear supplier for the Wallabies. Horan won with 80.1% of the vote, followed by Matt Giteau and Elton Flatley. Check back tomorrow to find out who was selected at No.11.
The Roar’s Greatest Wallabies Rugby World Cup XV
- Fullback: Matthew Burke
- Right Winger: Ben Tune
- Outside Centre: Stirling Mortlock
- Inside Centre: Tim Horan
Magpie
Roar Rookie
Brett Papworth was a pretty handy player as a choice from 87, totally agree with Tim Horan 80%, Elton Flatley % seems low to me
Hoy
Roar Guru
Benny Taps. Bloke was on fire during '11 Super season. Never really got a got at 12 for the Wallabies.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Or just pick Gitz rather then leave him and George Smith back in Aus. But yeah if you didn't think Gitz would pair well with Quade in 2011 then pick Fainga instead of McCabe. Deans turned a good full back into a mediocre and pilloried 12.
Olly
Roar Rookie
It is strange thinking back to it. Experiment on how to shorten a players career? I thought a few players who actually specified in the position might of been in the list like Morgan Turinui for an example. Don’t think he would have scored well but he is atleast an actual 12.
ShortBlind
Roar Rookie
Yeah HR at Stan were sacked after they recruited that lot.
Cam
Roar Rookie
I once marked up against Tim when he was in his prime, I think maybe early 1994, jeez I made him look good :laughing:
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
He's one of the better commentators on Stan. Much better then Harrison, Hoiles, Mitchell and Ferguson.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
we can atleast argue about what the hell McCabe was doing playing 12 for Aus in 2011.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
There's always a slight bias towards more recent events particularly if so many people were alive or old enough to remember 99
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Flats was very good for us in ‘03. And I’d argue, Gits was as important at 12 for us in ‘15.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I remember a mate telling me about a South African he had met through the military, coming to Ballymore for the sole purpose of being able to see the best 12 in the world on his home pitch. As I remember, the Staffa was not disappointed.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Horan was at his best in the big games. What a player. I’d forgotten how bad his knee injury from 94 was.
sheek
Roar Guru
Tim Horan is everyone’s first go to choice for inside centre, & deservedly so, but he had one small drawback most folk probably didn’t notice. And that was a reluctance perhaps a little too often, not to pass & go himself. But it’s only a small quibble, & probably an indication of the supreme confidence he had in his own ability. I think Elton Flatley was next best, he was outstanding in 2003. Drawing a wider timeframe, Lynagh would be a candidate for backup #12. He was outstanding in the 5 test he played outside Ella back in 1984, the two complimenting each other perfectly.
Geoff K
Roar Rookie
Tim Horan was awesome.Pity he didnt play for a couple more years as he could have done i reckon.
Fin
Roar Rookie
Only 80% thought it would be well into the 90s. Thinking Eales will be.
Wooliej
Roar Rookie
Tim Horan was an outstanding player, for sure!
Olly
Roar Rookie
Almost feel like I should disagree so atleast we have some controversial comments :laughing:
Grev
Roar Rookie
instincts as a player and instincts as a commentator are clearly not the same. :laughing:
ShortBlind
Roar Rookie
Totally agree- TH was an amazing player and best Aussi 12 for ages. Which kind of surprises me that he’s such an awful commentator. What gives?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep, only over one choice for this one.