Rugby World Cup: dumped forward James Horwill ready to answer Wallabies’ injury SOS

JAMES Horwill has no animosity over his dumping from the Wallabies’ World Cup plans and will be only 3km from Twickenham should Michael Cheika need his services.

James Horwill as The Wallabies depart Sydney Airport for the 2nd Bledisloe Cup game against New Zealand in Auckland. pic Mark Evans

FORMER skipper James Horwill has no animosity over his dumping from the Wallabies’ World Cup plans and will be only 3km from Twickenham should an SOS come.

Horwill flies out to London on Saturday, not for the showpiece tournament but for a new adventure with English club Harlequins.

Harlequins’ home ground at The Stoop is in the same suburb as Twickenham, the grand stadium where the Wallabies’ fortunes will play out against Wales, England and in any knockout finals.

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“Obviously, I was very disappointed because it’s never nice missing a squad,” Horwill said.

“That’s footy. It’s never perfect and you’ve got to be able to move on.

“If I am needed as a replacement I’ll definitely be ready.’’

The towering lock did not buy the idea that being in England with Quins made it easier to leave him out as a lineball selection because he would be on hand in an emergency anyway.

“I don’t see that as the case. Cheik (coach Michael Cheika) is a very honest guy and was in our chat and he’s one reason the Wallabies are in great shape going forward,” Horwill said.

LYNAGH: ‘GET OUT OF MY WAY’

Michael Lynagh.

AUSTRALIA’S 1991 World Cup hero Michael Lynagh has been given the all-clear to drive again, three years after his life was on the line because of a stroke.

It’s a wonderful milestone as the London-based Lynagh shared in his tweet: “Momentous day ... recovery complete.’’

Lynagh lost sight on his left side in a life-changing stroke at only 48 in 2012 and quipped shortly afterwards: “If you see me out on the road, get out of my way.’’

Only Lynagh’s innate game knowledge allowed him to still commentate on games when he had blind spots.

Lynagh’s new book Blindsided details both his World Cup highs and the inspiration from other stroke victims, their stories and his own new openness.

NAHOLO ON TRACK FOR THIRD POOL GAME

THE All Blacks are confident wing weapon Waisake Naholo will be fit for a comeback in their third pool game against Georgia on October 2.

It will be a remarkable feat considering he fractured his leg in July but coach Steve Hansen is gambling because he loves the Fiji-born flyer’s try-scoring potency.

Illness forced centre Ma’a Nonu to miss Thursday’s flight out of Auckland and he will travel on Friday instead.