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As well as inside centre, Horan also played and got one cap on the wing. Horan's rugby career began at Toowoomba's Downlands College under First XV coach John Elders, a former coach of England. The Downlands First XV of 1987 was undefeated throughout the year, including matches against Sydney powerhouses Kings, Riverview and St Joseph's College. The side also included future Wallabies Brett Johnstone, Brett Robinson, Garrick Morgan, and Peter Ryan. He initially partnered Jason Little, with whom he wrote a book, Perfect Union and later in his career, Daniel Herbert. Horan and Little met when they were 13-years-old, rooming together for a rugby league representative team. Horan played a vital role in Australia winning the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He was voted player of the tournament (winning himself a year's worth of Guinness for scoring the fastest try). His debut came in 1989 against New Zealand, where he impressed his opposite number, Joe Stanley, so much that Stanley gave Horan his test jersey and told him to keep his own as it was his first. In his next test, he and Little marked the experienced and regarded French pair of Franck Mesnel and Philippe Sella, snuffing them out and allowing Horan to score his first two test tries. That year, in what has become a famous incident in Australian Rugby, both he and Jason Little were subjected to a mock bar room ceremony in which they pledged not to defect to Rugby League. Horan was to receive numerous high profile offers through his career but stayed with Union his whole career. After the World Cup in 1991, in which he scored four tries and a successful Bledisloe Cup in 1992, the Wallabies endured a mixed 1993. 1994 saw his career nearly end with a horrific knee injury in the Super 10 final and he would spend over a year in rehabilitation before making the squad to the 1995 World Cup defence in South Africa. In 1996 he captained the side for the first time and also played at flyhalf as Greg Smith tinkered with the side. He missed the 61-22 loss to South Africa but returned to give a fine performance in an otherwise dour 15 all draw with England, putting Ben Tune and George Gregan over for a try apiece. He peaked again for the 1999 World Cup against South Africa in the semi final. Despite suffering from severe food poisoning the night before the match, he blasted many holes in the South African line in the 27-22 overtime win. This was followed by the second Wallaby World Cup win of his career. 2000 was to be his final test year and was affected by injuries. He signed for English club Saracens and began a career as a newspaper columist and broadcaster. Horan is currently a Banker for Westpac Banking Corporation. He is an ambassador for Spinal Injuries Association, speaking to school children regarding prevention of spinal injuries. Horan is also an ambassador for Aunties and Uncles - a non-profit organisation offering friendship, role-modelling and support for children in single parent or parentless families. In 2009 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia. Horan's father is Mike Horan, Member of Queensland's Parliament for Toowoomba South. *Played 80 test caps *114 state caps *130 points *40 tries |
