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Horan heads Aussie contingent

Cape Town - Double World Cup-winning Wallaby centre, Tim Horan, will head up a star-studded contingent of Australian stars who will be playing for the International Legends at the 2010 Cape Town Tens.

Horan, Pat Howard, Jeremy Paul and Damian Smith - who between them played almost 200 Tests for the Wallabies - will all represent the International Legends at Hamilton's next month; with a host of other big-name former internationals also set to be announced in due course.

"It was an easy sell for me," Horan told capetowntens.com. "I was very keen to play in the Cape Town Tens last year, but unfortunately I had some commitments last February which meant I couldn't make it.

"Cape Town is a great place to visit in February, it has a similar to climate to that of the Gold Coast, and I'm looking forward to meeting up with some old mates and enjoying the camaraderie of old - both on and off the field."

Speaking about the ten-a-side format, Horan added: "I played some Tens for an invitational side in Dubai back in November and I was surprised - in my first game - just how enjoyable it is.

"It's particularly great for those of us that are a bit more advanced in terms of our age and it also puts less stress on the body than 15s and Sevens."

But apart from the relaxed version of this great game, Horan is also looking forward to enjoying the other aspects of the 2010 Cape Town Tens; the social side and the huge Cape Town Rugby Festival at the Cape Town Stadium.

"It's all about fun and avoiding contact," chuckled the Wallaby legend, the Player of the Tournament at the 1999 World Cup.

"I've played Barbarians rugby with people like Joost van der Westhuizen and Percy Montgomery, but I'm looking forward to teaming up with two other top South African players in the form of Bob Skinstad and Rob Fleck, having played against them quite a few times (in the past).

"Playing at the Cape Town Stadium, as a trial run for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is also a huge honour," he added, "I'm particularly excited about the World Cup as the Socceroos could cause a few surprises if they make it into the knockout stages."

Howard - who played 20 Tests for the Wallabies - will be joining his former Queensland teammate in Cape Town and he said: "I haven't been to Cape Town since 2003 - I can't wait to come back to a great city and, of course, get those boots on again.

"This is the sort of rugby environment that I love and although I have not played Tens before, I love 15s and Sevens, so I'm hoping it's less physical than 15s and less fatiguing than Sevens... I might not be in top nick these days, but I know all about the fitness levels of Timmy Horan and Damian Smith, so I'm not too worried!"

Commenting on the social aspect of the Tens, Howard added: "It's not often one gets the opportunity to meet up with old teammates and opponents at an event like this; those quiet ales and chats will be fantastic."

The other two members of Australia's International Legends contingent, Jeremy Paul and Damian Smith, will also add plenty of value at the Cape Town Tens - according to Horan and Howard.

Kiwi-born hooker Jeremy Paul - the most-capped Wallaby No.2 of all time - only recently hung up his boots after a spell with top English club Gloucester, whilst winger Damian Smith is no stranger to South Africa, having represented his country at the 1995 World Cup.

Paul - who played over 100 Super Rugby matches for the Brumbies - won 72 caps for the Wallabies between 1998 and 2006.

Smith, meanwhile, racked up 10 tries in his 21 international appearances for Australia between 1993 and '98.

Tickets for the entire weekend at the 2010 Castle Cape Town Tens at Hamilton RFC, which includes the historic Cape Town Rugby Festival at the Cape Town Stadium, are available for purchase on Computicket and will not be sold at the gates on Saturday.
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