Tim Horan
Tim Horan is an Australian rugby union commentator and former player. He played for the Queensland Reds in the Super 12, and represented Australia. He was one of the best centres in the world throughout the 1990s due to his attacking prowess, formidable defence and playmaking ability. He became one of only 43 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions.
As well as inside centre, Horan also played fly-half and earned one international cap on the wing.
Early career
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's Kings, Riverview and St Joseph's colleges. 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 role in Australia winning the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He was voted player of the tournament.
Wallabies career
His debut came in 1989 against New Zealand, where he impressed his opposite number, Joe Stanley. In his next Test, he and Little marked the experienced French pair of Franck Mesnel and Philippe Sella, and Horan scored his first two Test tries.After winning 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 Horan's 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 national side for the first and only time and he also played at flyhalf. He missed the 61–22 loss to South Africa but returned for a 15-all draw with England, helping Ben Tune and George Gregan score a try apiece.
He peaked again for the 1999 Rugby World Cup against South Africa in the semi-final. He played against South Africa in a 27-21 extra-time 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.