WALLABIES CAPTAIN JAMES HORWILL wants a Lions series win after extending his Australia Rugby Union deal until 2015.
The lock’s new extension comes in the wake of his fresh Queensland Reds contract and ahead of the upcoming visit of the British and Irish Lions.
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The 27-year-old was tipped to follow international team-mates Digby Ioane and Drew Mitchell to France, but has opted to stay put in Australia.
Horwill, who missed the last international season through injury, said: “Obviously it’s been frustrating at times, but you have to take the bad with the good.
“The main thing is to focus on what’s dead ahead – and that couldn’t be more exciting.
“Playing the British and Irish Lions is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you can feel the excitement around the country.
“It’s coming up quickly now and you can really feel that in the intensity it has brought to Super Rugby this year, especially in the derby games.”
Horwill has only placed 35 Tests since his 2007 debut but led the Wallabies to the 2011 Tri-Nations title and third place at the 2011 World Cup.
He added: “The competition just to make the squad is fierce, which is exactly as it should be.
“It bodes well for what is going to be the series of a lifetime. You just have to look at the power in the touring squad they have named to see that.”
Australian skipper Horwill excited by Lions series
WALLABIES CAPTAIN JAMES HORWILL wants a Lions series win after extending his Australia Rugby Union deal until 2015.
The lock’s new extension comes in the wake of his fresh Queensland Reds contract and ahead of the upcoming visit of the British and Irish Lions.
The 27-year-old was tipped to follow international team-mates Digby Ioane and Drew Mitchell to France, but has opted to stay put in Australia.
Horwill, who missed the last international season through injury, said: “Obviously it’s been frustrating at times, but you have to take the bad with the good.
“The main thing is to focus on what’s dead ahead – and that couldn’t be more exciting.
“Playing the British and Irish Lions is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you can feel the excitement around the country.
Horwill has only placed 35 Tests since his 2007 debut but led the Wallabies to the 2011 Tri-Nations title and third place at the 2011 World Cup.
He added: “The competition just to make the squad is fierce, which is exactly as it should be.
“It bodes well for what is going to be the series of a lifetime. You just have to look at the power in the touring squad they have named to see that.”
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