- Michael Horak
-
Michael Horak Full name Michael John Horak Date of birth 3 June 1977 Place of birth Johannesburg, South Africa Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight 92 kg (14 st 7 lb) School Grey College Rugby league career Position Fullback Professional clubs Years Club / team Caps (points) 1997 Perth Reds National teams Years Club / team Caps (points) South Africa Rugby union career Playing career Position Fullback, Wing Professional / senior clubs Years Club / team Caps (points) 1997-1999
1999-1999
1999-2007
2007-2009
2009-2010Leicester Tigers
Bristol
London Irish
Treviso
Saracens25
3
107
19
1(50)
(22)
(110)
(30)
(0)correct as of 8 November 2009. National team(s) Years Club / team Caps (points) 2002-
2002England Saxons
England
1
(0)correct as of 22 June 2002. Michael John Horak (born 3 June 1977 in Johannesburg) is a former rugby union footballer and former rugby league player who last played at fullback or wing for Saracens.
After playing for the Free State Schools Cravenweek side in 1995 and the Free State U21s in 1996 he moved to Australia to play Rugby League, where he represented the Perth Reds.[1] He has also played for the South Africa national rugby league team.[2]
Horak was signed by Bob Dwyer for the Leicester Tigers in 1997[3] and became Leicester's first-choice full back, replacing the retiring John Liley and ahead of Fijian international Waisale Serevi. He also played for the England U21 side. However, he dropped to third choice after Tiger's signing of Tim Stimpson and Geordan Murphy.
Horak subsequently followed Dwyer to Bristol[4] before signing for London Irish in 1999. He left Irish in 2000 but re-signed in 2001.[2]
He started in the 2002 Powergen Cup Final at Twickenham, as London Irish defeated the Northampton Saints.[5]
His solitary England cap came during the Senior tour of Argentina, on 22 June 2002 at the Estadio José Amalfitani.[6] He qualifies for England via his English mother.[1]
After spending two seasons with Benetton Rugby Treviso, Horak signed with Saracens for the 2009-10 season[7] but announced his retirement with immediate effect in January 2010.[8] He is a tall player with a big left boot.[9]
References
- ^ a b Cleary, Mick (2002-06-20). "England devise new plan to snare Pumas". London: Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/3029749/England-devise-new-plan-to-snare-Pumas.html. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ a b "London Irish profile". London Irish official site. 2007-06-30. http://www.london-irish.com/PlayerDisplaySS.ink?skip=23&season=01/02&squadno=3493&seasonl=2001/2002&Playertype=p. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ Trow, Paul (1997-08-17). "England's super 12: Club-by-club guide to the Allied Dunbar Premiership". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-englands-super-12-clubbyclub-guide-to-the-allied-dunbar-premiership-1245791.html. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ Hewett, Chris (1999-05-10). "Bristol promoted in top drawer fashion". London: The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-bristol-promoted-in-top-drawer-fashion-1092732.html. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ "Exiles claim Cup glory". BBC. 2002-04-20. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/1937800.stm. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ "Argentina beaten by England youngsters". BBC. 2002-06-22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/2060216.stm. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ "Trio to join Saracens for new campaign". Saracens official site. 2009-04-14. http://www.saracens.com/news/view.php?Id=5263. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
- ^ "Saracens announce retirement of Michael Horak". Saracens.com. 6 January 2010. http://www.saracens.com/news/view.php?Id=5719. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
- ^ "BBC report on signing". BBC. 2009-04-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/saracens/7999599.stm. Retrieved 2009-12-29.
External links
Categories:- 1977 births
- Living people
- English rugby union players
- South African rugby league players
- England international rugby union players
- Dual-code rugby internationals
- Western Reds players
- Leicester Tigers players
- Bristol Rugby players
- London Irish players
- Saracens F.C. players
- Rugby union fullbacks
- South African people of English descent
- Old Greys
- South Africa national rugby league team players
- Rugby league fullbacks
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
