After his impressive debut season for the Waratahs in 2008, Horne got further recognition at national level through a stint with the Aussie Sevens, and then the Australia U20’s team, and returned to cement a starting role with the Tahs the following year. The only thing that prevented him from going on to become a genuine superstar was his body.

There are certain moments in a life of watching live sport that just stick with you. In terms of rugby, the more obvious ones are usually an exhilarating try, a derby win, a memorable grand final performance and the trophy celebrations that follow, or a prop going 50 and diving home to the shock of everyone including his or her self. But in such a collision sport, the truth is that nothing quite gets the heart racing, or the crowd squealing with delight, like a brutally beautiful bell-ringing tackle.