Hore relishing life as number one
It has taken him five years, but finally Andrew Hore has made the All Black number two jersey his own and is in no hurry to relinquish it.
It has taken him five years, but finally Andrew Hore has made the All Black number two jersey his own and is in no hurry to relinquish it.
Hore is one of the old breed, the sort who still enjoys a few beers after the game as opposed to an energy drink and a banana. Not that he doesn't take his rugby seriously, far from it. But he firmly believes in the old values of the game, the kind of values that have been lost in the professional era.
Having been reared in the tough surrounds of Maniototo in Central Otago, where rugby is still seen for what it used to be, Hore has come to learn the best approach is a combination of the professional era mixed in with the values of the 'good old days' as he puts it.
Life as an All Black, until the 2008 season, has often provided the Taranaki rake with a healthy dose of reality – prior to the current season Hore had, in 25 Tests, only managed six starts. What's more only on one occasion had he started two consecutive Tests, which just so happened to be his first two caps. Since then he has had to be content with riding pine for the best part of six years, although that has all changed now.
A stellar Super 14 campaign for the Hurricanes saw Hore oust long-term rival, and close friend, Keven Mealamu from the number two jersey. And now Hore is preparing to start his eighth game on the trot as he finally settles into life as an All Black.
“It's been pretty good really,” Hore told Planet Rugby in an exclusive interview.
“I really feel like I am a part of the All Blacks set-up now that I have been getting a few starts under my belt.
“With Kevy (Mealamu) around I have always had to battle to get starts in the All Black jersey, especially at the start of my Test career.
“Moving on now though I am a little bit older and enjoying my rugby a lot more, and it makes it a lot easier that I get on with Kevy so well.”
Despite competing fiercely for the same jersey Hore and Mealamu have, over the years, become close friends, which helps them both accept the fact they can't both start every week.
“Kev and I are pretty good mates so there is never any hard feelings between us when the side is announced,” Hore continued.
“We have both benched for each other and been there before so it is old hat now and we are both mature enough to accept the decision and just get on with things.”
Perhaps one area Hore excels in more so than Mealamu is scoring tries. Ever since Hore, a farmer in his earlier days, became the first ever hooker to score a Super Rugby hat-trick back in 2006 he has had a knack of getting over the whitewash. So much so that he has twice finished with six tries from a Super Rugby season, and in 2001 was Taranaki's leading try scorer in the ANZ Cup.
Nobody will ever forget the look of horror on Sitiveni Sivivatu's face in Sydney earlier this year as he passed to a lurking Andrew Hore fifteen metres from the line.
More comfortable burrowing over from a yard or two out, Hore didn't let his wing down. A smooth step inside saw him rumble over for the longest try of his career.
“Yeah I have snuck over for a few this season, which is always nice,” Hore said.
“It was nice to get one from further out than a metre, although I think Sivi (Sivivatu) was a little shocked to see me lurking out there. But I did him proud!
“At the moment I am just enjoying playing, and the group of guys we have are bloody good. It's always nice to get the tries but at the moment they are just a bonus on top of getting a regular place in the run-on side.”
Hore's own unique approach to rugby enables him to forget about all the hype and just focus on the job at hand. A good job too, with all the jibes being aimed at the All Blacks this week. South African coach Peter de Villiers branded the New Zealand forwards 'cheats' at the set-piece, not that Hore is reading anything into it.
“I don't really worry too much about what you guys write in the papers,” he explained.
“I have enough to focus on in getting my job done. I am out there to throw well and hook well, so if I can do my basic job well I am pretty happy.
“So it is best not to focus on all the pre-match hype and just get on with the job at hand.”
As for Saturday's game, one which the All Blacks must win, Hore knows what to expect from the Springboks.
In keeping with his style the main thing Hore is worried about is maintaining the standards set by the All Blacks in their last outing, a 39-10 drubbing of the Wallabies.
“The Springboks are pretty solid,” he said.
“Obviously they are world champions and that, plus they are at home, so it's a big challenge for us to come and play them over here.
“We just need to ensure we turn up and hit the levels we know we are capable of. If we can do that it should be a good game on Saturday and one which we know we can win.”
Sadly we will not be treated to another Hore facial hair special this weekend, as we have become accustomed too, with the 29-year-old opting for the smooth look this weekend.
“I had a wee mo all week but I have just chopped it off so I will sport the tidy look for a change on Saturday,” Hore joked.
By Marcus Leach in Cape Town