Horne blows in for run-on debut
Eighteen-year-old centre Rob Horne will continue his meteoric rise in 2008 when he makes his starting debut in the Waratahs' Super 14 blockbuster with the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
Eighteen-year-old centre Rob Horne will continue his meteoric rise in 2008 when he makes his starting debut in the Waratahs' Super 14 blockbuster with the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
After Ben Jacobs ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Waratahs 37-16 victory over the Blues, Horne showed enough to convince coach Ewen McKenzie he could handle the starting position in Jacobs' absence.
“It's only Rob's first year out of school but he's come on in leaps and bounds since joining us and keeps meeting every challenge that's put in front of him,” said McKenzie.
“We identified and signed him two years ago with a view to 2009 and beyond, but he put himself in contention during the trials and after a few solid performances off the bench he gets his chance to start this weekend.”
Horne joined the Junior Waratahs after representing Australian Schoolboys in 2007, and was selected in the Australian team for the San Diego leg of the 2007/08 IRB Sevens Series.
Enjoying his increased responsibility this week, Horne says he can't wait to get to Perth for his first starting cap.
“At the start of the year I would have been stoked with a bench spot, but to get an opportunity to start against the Force is amazing,” said Horne.
“I'm really excited, but having played a few times off the bench already I now know what to expect.
“The Force have a great backline with guys like [Matt] Giteau, [Scott] Staniforth, [Cameron] Shepherd, [Drew] Mitchell – so it's going to be a really tough game for the whole 80 minutes.
After a strong performance for Randwick last weekend, Matt Carraro has forced his way onto the bench and if used will make his Waratahs debut.
“Matt's had an injury interrupted pre-season, but he's overcome a groin problem and came back strongly through the Tooheys New Shute Shield where he scored a try for Randwick on Saturday,” said McKenzie.
“He's a genuine number thirteen who can also cover inside centre and wing, and like Luke Burgess did the previous week he's pushed himself into the selection frame by performing well in club Rugby.”
Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Will Caldwell, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Al Baxter, 18 David Lyons, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Matt Carraro, 22 Alfi Mafi
Date: Saturday, 12 April
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Kick-off: 7:05pm (12:05 GMT)
Referee: Brett Bowden (Australia)
Touch Judges: Paul Marks (Australia), James Scholtens (Australia)