Hornby set for Test berth
By James Hooper and Barry Toohey
September 21, 2006 ST George-Illawarra's Mr Fix-It, Ben Hornby, is believed to be just 80 minutes away from taking over from Andrew Johns in the Australia No.7 jumper.
The Daily Telegraph ubderstands that Kangaroos honours will be handed to the Dragons star if he outplays Melbourne counterpart Cooper Cronk in the preliminary final at Aussie Stadium on Saturday night.
Australia selectors will be marking score cards in the clash between the Dragons' unsung hero and Dally M halfback of the year Cronk.
Hornby has his nose in front of Manly's Matt Orford for Australia's opening Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand on October 14 because of his versatility.
He can also play fullback and, with Jonathan Thurston expected to be named on the bench, that will give the the selectors more options in New Zealand.
Newcastle maestro Johns, the man whose throne Hornby is desperately close to assuming, last night endorsed the Dragons player as the frontline contender for the Test jumper.
"I always thought Ben Hornby was top-line and he has proven that in the big games during the finals this season," Johns said.
"It's funny but even when he was playing fullback for the Dragons and for New South Wales, I always thought he would be a better halfback - and said as much at the time.
"He just has great instincts for the job.
"He has a good feel for the game, great vision, his kicking game is good and he understands when to run and when to pass. He is also one of the game's best support players."
Dragons coach Nathan Brown last night endorsed Hornby's potential selection, labelling the makeshift halfback as the Dragons' "saviour" for the past two seasons.
Despite playing the majority of his junior football at fullback, Hornby guided the Dragons to within 80 minutes of last year's grand final at halfback and has spent the majority of this season wearing the No.7.
"Having Ben Hornby has been a saviour for us for two years now because of what's happened with Mat Head," Brown said.
"You wouldn't say Ben Hornby is the best fullback in the world but he's the best footballer who plays fullback in the competition.
"He's just such a natural footballer no matter what position he plays."
Hornby was a surprise NSW Origin bolter in the fullback role in 2004 before being dropped after one game.
The Dragons halfback was awarded with his second NSW jumper for the deciding game of this year's Origin series, featuring for the Blues off the bench.
"Sometimes numbers can be a bit deceiving when it comes to where you play on the field," Hornby said.
"I've enjoyed my time at halfback, you get plenty of time with the ball and it's working for the Dragons."
