Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Young Waratahs star eyes Super Rugby AU finals spot as he goes head-to-head with fellow Wallabies contender

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

With a new NSW Waratahs contract in his pocket and his name in the Wallabies mix, a spot in the Super Rugby AU finals is next on Tom Horton’s to-do list.

ADVERTISEMENT

The young hooker has been rewarded for a stellar debut season with a new two-year NSW deal, which follows his inclusion last week in the players of national interest (PONI) squad.

Horton said he was excited to hear from new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who has no doubt been impressed by the 23-year-old’s accuracy at the line-out.

Video Spacer

Finding a seat on the All Blacks bus | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Video Spacer

Finding a seat on the All Blacks bus | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

“It was pretty cool to get a call from Dave and have my name mentioned along with everyone,” Horton said on Tuesday.

“I got a bit of a kick out of it.”

Weighing 97kg, Horton is no heavyweight but brings some notable athleticism to the position.

He said he purposely hadn’t tried to bulk up.

“I’m not going to obsess over it because I don’t want to put on so much weight I lose the point of difference I think I have over other hookers, which is being able to work around the field and fit in like an extra backrower,” Horton said.

The Melbourne Rebels are standing in the way of his next goal with the teams vying for a spot in Super Rugby AU playoffs.

Playing their last game before a final round bye, the Waratahs need a win at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night to keep their season alive.

ADVERTISEMENT

Horton will square off with another young hooker in Melbourne’s Jordan Uelese, who was part of the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign last year.

The Waratahs are looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to the Brumbies and Horton said they’d been focused internally rather than on the Rebels or even what was at stake.

“We’re not worrying about what the Rebels are doing we’re just keeping the focus internal and worrying about what we’re doing as a team and what we can do to get better,” he said.

“We’re treating it as must-win but as we would any game.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 34 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

8 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
Search