Tim Horan

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Tim Horan (born 18 May 1970) is a former Australian rugby union footballer. 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 also played stand-off and got one cap on the wing. His nickname was Helmet, for his stay-in-place hair, or Truckie, for his love of a "truckie's breakfast" of bacon, sausages and eggs.

Horan's rugby career began at Toowoomba's Downlands College under the tutelegde of First XV coach John Elder, a former coach of England. The Downlands First XV of 1987 was arguably one of Australia's finest-ever schoolboy sides, undefeated throughout the year, including matches against Sydney powerhouses Kings, Riverview and St Joseph's College. The side also included future Wallabies Brett Johnston, Brett Robinson and dual international Peter Ryan.

He initially partnered Jason Little, with whom he wrote a book entitled 'Perfect Union' and later in his career Daniel Herbert. Horan and Little met when they were 13, rooming together for a rugby league representative team. Horan played a vital role in Australia winning the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He was voted player of the tournament (winning himself a year's worth of Guinness for scoring the fastest try)

His debut came in 1989 against New Zealand, where he impressed his opposite number, Joe Stanley, so much that Stanley gave Tim his test jersey and told him to keep his own as it was his first. In his next test, he and Little marked the experienced and regarded French pair of Frank Mesnel and Phillipe Sella, snuffing them out and allowing Horan to score his first two test tries. That year, in what has become a famous incident in Australian Rugby, both he and Jason Little were subjected to a mock bar room ceremony in which they pledged not to defect to Rugby League. Horan was to receive numerous high profile offers through his career but stayed with Union his whole career.

After the world cup in 1991, in which he scored 4 tries and a succesful Bledisloe Cup in 1992, the Wallabies endured a mixed 1993. 1994 saw his career nearly ended with a horiffic knee injuey in the Super 10 final and he would spend over a year in painful rehabilitation before making the squad to the 1995 world cup defence in South Africa, though he was a way shy from his blistering best.

In 1996 he captained the side for the first time and also played at Fly Half as Greg Smith tinkered with the side. He perhaps fortunate to miss out on the 61-22 loss to South Africa but returned to give a fine performace in an otherwise dour 15 all draw with England, putting Ben Tune and George Gregan over for a try apiece.

He peacked again for the 1999 World Cup, giving a masterful performance against South Africa in the semi final. Despite suffering from severe food poisoning the night before the match, he blasted many holes in the South African line in the 27-22 overtime win. This was followed by the second Wallaby world cup win of his career.

2000 was to be his final test year and was effected by injuries. He signed for English club Saracens and began a career as a newspaper columist and broadcaster.

He currently works for Fox Sports as an analyst/pitchside interviewer

His father is Mike Horan, Member of Queensland's Parliament for Toowoomba South. Tim's brother Matthew is a former rugby journalist. They have a sister, Emma. Horan is also quite a useful cricketer.

Horan has three children and is married to his high-school sweetheart, Katrina.

Horan completed his career at the English club Saracens.