Tim Horan's International Debut

Tim Horan, still regarded today as one of the most inventive centres to play the game of rugby, was thrown into the proverbial deep-end for his international debut – taking on the All Blacks in the 1989 Bledisloe Cup.

The match was played at Eden Park in Aukland and, although the Australians found themselves on the losing side of the scoreboard, the 19-year-old Horan’s performance left his teammates and supporters alike with much to look forward to in the Wallabies backline.

If Horan was nervous, he didn’t show it; making hard tackles and attacking bravely with ball in hand. His opposite number, Joe Stanley, was so impressed by the youngster’s performance that he offered him his All Black jersey after the game.

Horan went on to win 80 caps for Austalia and was part of two world cup winning outfits.