Wallabies skipper and inspirational Queensland lock James Horwill’s loyalty and burning desire for 2015 World Cup success has seen him re-sign for two years without testing the market interstate or overseas.
Horwill, who lifted the Super Rugby and Tri Nations trophies within two months of each other in 2011, spoke about his passion for the Reds and desire to be a one-club man after announcing his new deal on Monday.
The 200cm second-rower is rated one of the best locks in the game but admitted he wasn’t going to lift his bargaining power with the Australian Rugby Union by entertaining interest abroad.
“I didn’t look to go anywhere else and I never wanted to go anywhere else,” he said. “I love playing for Queensland and Australia.
“It means a lot to me to represent both teams.”
Highly regarded by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, Horwill is favoured ahead of Reds teammate Will Genia to regain the captaincy for next month’s series against the British and Irish Lions after his 2012 Test season was wiped out due to a horrific hamstring injury.
It was the second time the 35-Test forward has missed a full international season following his 2010 knee reconstruction.
Horwill admitted those setbacks could well see him continue on his Test career after the 2015 World Cup, when he could easily play in the United Kingdom as a British passport holder.
“I’ve missed big chunks of football through some serious injuries so it’s something that you hear – that it will add some time at the end of your career – so I certainly hope that’s the case,” he said.
“Certainly I haven’t played as much Test footy as I’d have liked to and I’ve still got a burning desire to be successful at a Test level.
“There’s certainly things I want to achieve at a Test level and at state level as well and win as much silverware as possible.”
Horwill, who turns 28 this month, is among only a handful of certain selections in the Wallabies’ starting XV for the three-Test Lions series and looks like he’s only getting better after a convincing 2013 comeback.
“I don’t feel I’ve missed a beat in coming back in after 10-11 months (on the sidelines),” he said.
“I don’t know (if I’ve hit my peak), we’ll see, but individually I feel I can get better.”
Horwill became Queensland’s youngest captain in 35 years when appointed skipper at 22 in 2008 and went on to replace Rocky Elsom as Wallabies leader just before the 2011 World Cup, where Australia finished third.
Now capped 87 times, he remains in some doubt for Friday night’s clash with the Sharks due to a head knock in the Reds’ 11-11 draw with the Western Force in Perth but is confident of playing.