ROB HORNE

ADDED MONDAY 26/05/2008

How good is this young man?  All we hear about is Israel Folau and Greg Inglis,  which is fine,  they are both tremendously gifted athletes.  I think though that rugby has developed/unearthed one of it's own gems in this kid from Sydney,  and I really think he will see a massive money contract a long time before he is 21.

WE have heard lots and lots about O'Connor's debut,  but Rob has just gone about his business very quietly,  and played in just about every game,  starting 9 or 10 of them at Super 14 level.

A very wise judge last year in Canberra told me to watch Rob Horne,  that he was special,  then I heard through from another associate just how highly Todd Louden,  current assistant coach of the Tahs rates him.

I met him for myself in Perth,  when I was making a pest of myself at the Burswood,  and while the Waratahs would no doubt have been happy to see the back of me,  they made quite an impression on me,  particularly this young bloke.  He was quiet and answered all my rather stupid questions with professionalism,  dignity and poise.  One of those questions was "Are you nervous" and he said "no,  I can't wait".  I think the game in Perth was his run on debut.  How good is that,  I know (while my level of ability precluded me from ever playing at any level) that I would have been churning up inside in a big way.

Anyway,  all of that aside,  from out here in TV land,  Rob has impressed my three member panel of critics,  only loungeroom critics,  and that quietly spoken judge last year in Canberra had him picked right.

Now I am sure alot of us remember Lillie and Marsh,  Horan and Little,  Langer and Lewis.  Professional sport has changed values and how long people stay at a franchise, or even in a code or a country,  but will O'Connor and Horne be a dominant partnership in the Aussie midfield over the years to come,  sooner rather than later?

To keep the perspective,  3 of the 2007 Aussie Juniors have made thier Super 14 debuts in 2008,  being:

1. Rob Horne  NSW

2. James O'Connor,  Western Force.

3. Afusipa Taumaupeau (Zipper),  Brumbies

4. Matt To'omua,  Brumbies

5. Dane Haylett-Petty,  Western Force.

There were some pretty good forward running around in that outfit as well,  but forwards take a little bit longer to develop into the role,  so we won't see them for a while yet.

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