Reds skipper James Horwill proud to honour tradition with special Anzac Day jersey

TWO generations of James Horwill’s family helped forge the Anzac tradition that he will honour in his specially minted 100 game jersey.

Reds captain James Horwill receives the Anzac jersey from Brigadier Greg Bilton (left) and Corporal Seamus Donaghue.

TWO generations of James Horwill’s family helped forge the Anzac tradition that he will honour in his specially minted 100 game jersey.

The pride coursing through the Reds skipper has hit him on multiple levels before Saturday night’s vital clash against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Joining the greats of Queensland rugby in the 100 Game Club and celebrating beside many of the hardcore mates he has led to Super Rugby’s summit is just the most obvious.

None is more personal than representing the wartime sacrifices of his great grandfather and his grandfather, both named Edward Horwill.

Seeing the Rising Sun emblem embroidered on his Anzac Day jersey for the first time yesterday gave him childhood flashbacks.

“I’m very proud to be able to wear this crest,’’ Horwill said.

“My grandad and great grandad served in the World Wars and I know what it would mean to them to have me playing in this jersey. As a kid I remember watching grandad march on Anzac Day.

“He marched until his knee gave out and still rode proudly in the jeep until his late 70s.

“What we do as footballers doesn’t compare to the way he represented his country and the gratitude we have for what our armed forces did.’’

News_Image_File: Reds captain James Horwill receives the Anzac jersey from Brigadier Greg Bilton (left) and Corporal Seamus Donaghue.

His great grandfather, Sergeant Edward Henry Horwill, a bootmaker by trade, was twice decorated and twice wounded in World War I.

Under heavy enemy fire, he rushed a strong point in the German line and captured 14 prisoners and a machinegun in an attack on Glencorse Wood in 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele.

The Distinguished Conduct Medal mailed to the then-Horwill home in Melbourne 95 years ago is still a treasured family possession.

The over-used “battle’’ analogies linked to sport are not part of Horwill’s psyche.

“They are worlds apart. We play a game. Soldiers do it for real and hats off for what they do for us as a nation,’’ he said.

Corporal Seamus Donaghue won a Colts (3) premiership with Horwill’s University club before his military career.

“Sport and military history are very close to the hearts of Australians. The essence of working as a team in a pressure environment is what they have in common,’’ Corporal Donaghue said.

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Donaghue, whose leg was shattered by a bullet in Afghanistan in 2010, will fly with the Reds to Wellington today to present the Anzac jerseys.

The Reds are certain to team returning Mike Harris in the centres with Ben Tapuai which means wing will be the slot for strong-running Chris Feauai-Sautia. Saia Faingaa shapes as starting hooker.

“A lot of things make this game extra special. When doctors and surgeons were unsure of whether I’d ever be able to play at the level I wanted again, thoughts about whether you are still going to have a career did creep in,” Horwill said.

“That uncertainty made it the toughest time.’’

Beating that severe hamstring rip of 2012 is now part of the satisfaction.