'I’m building my capacity and I’m in a good, positive headspace' - Big Jim's Big Interview: Rob Horne
Northampton Saints play host to Leicester Tigers at Twickenham this weekend, in a match that is not only a fiery East Midlands derby, but also an opportunity for fans to acknowledge the impact of and to help support former Saint Rob Horne, after the Australian’s career was sadly cut short through injury last season.
Our man Jim Hamilton sat down with Rob to discuss his life-changing injury, the support he has received from the rugby community and how he thinks the game will go.
Jim Hamilton: There’s big news this week, around the derby, but I’ve got other news I wanted to chat to you, if I may?
Rob Horne: Yeah, go for it.
JH: Just talk to me about how bad the Aussies are at the minute.
RH: [laughter] No, no.
JH: They’re 7th [in the world rankings], what’s going on?
RH: Nah, look, I think it just shows the quality of the game at the minute. Everyone can beat anyone, and we’ve seen that recently, so I think it’s more indicative of where the game is at and how close everyone is getting.
JH: Yeah, definitely. I think everyone was glad to see New Zealand get beaten the other week. As I said, I know it’s a big week for you. Are you finding it a big week or are you just looking to get through it? How are you receiving this?
RH: Yeah, it certainly is a big week and it is big week because of the fact it’s a derby game. It’s a huge game for Saints and Leicester, and especially for Northampton’s supporters and community. It’s certainly one that is circled in the calendar and it’s one of the biggest rivalries in English rugby, now on the biggest stage.
JH: I played in six or seven derbies and the Leicester-Northampton one was always the biggest. I think in club rugby there is no bigger one, especially at Twickenham. A little bit of it going into this week is obviously about the story around you and I might even support Northampton, but don’t tell anyone that.
I know it’s been a tough few months for you, but how are you now? How are you physically and mentally? Obviously, you did your interview for Northampton and it seemed like it was still fairly raw, how are things for you now, mate?
RH: Yeah, I’m building my capacity and I’m in a good, positive headspace. I like to think I’ve been in that headspace throughout, so yeah, I’m going well and feeling strong. Just really happy to be back here and be able to see some old friends, and to support my club out there in a massive game.
JH: You say you’ve gone back in, have you stepped away from the club completely now? Do you do any rehab there? They’re obviously supporting you in some ways, but what’s the association now with Northampton?
RH: I’ve relocated back to Australia, but the club has played such a big part in my life, despite it being for a short amount of time. It’s always going to be a part of my life and I’m certainly a very proud Saints man.
JH: And again, obviously talking a bit about your injury, how have you found the profile around the injury and how the rugby world has got behind you and supported you? Has it been surreal? Has it been something you’ve taken strength from?
Or is it something you’ve wanted to shy away from? I know there’s going to be mixed emotions, obviously your career coming to such an abrupt end, but have you taken any positives from how the rugby fraternity has come together?
RH: For sure, it’s a massive credit to our game. The reaction, and you don’t just see this at a professional level, you see this in community rugby all the time, where clubs rally around people going through difficult periods or times. That’s the beauty of our game and I just think it’s a massive credit to, and real show of character, from Northampton and Leicester, given how they’ve both come together.
It takes a joint effort to bring a game to Twickenham and I just feel like a small act in what is a huge day for the game, having one of the biggest derbies on the biggest stage.
JH: What have the boys said about the game? You’ve mentioned the build-up; how do you think Northampton have gone this season?
For me, I think they look a lot more physical. I mean, Leicester – without speaking too badly about them – have been poor. What have the guys talked about going into this week? With the added emotion, do you think they see this as a must-win game?
RH: Throughout my career, I loved playing in derby games, whether it was for New South Wales in Super Rugby or Northampton, because derby games, they’re different. They’re special games. They will be up for it, but so will Leicester. Tigers certainly love playing this game, too, so I’ll be a very passionate and eager spectator to witness the next chapter in this rivalry.
JH: Rob, I appreciate you talking to us. From myself and all the guys at RugbyPass, we like to have some craic and not take things too seriously, but genuinely, we all wish you well and hope the occasion, moving back to Australia and whatever you do next all goes well. Really appreciate you taking the time out.
Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to comments