/ 4 November 1999

HORAN LEADS PLAYER POLL

AUSTRALIAN centre Tim Horan leads a “player of the tournament” poll after his fine performance in a 27-21 defeat of South Africa in Saturday’s World Cup semifinal. Horan leads narrowly from France lock Abdel Benazzi, in second place, and French flyhalf Christophe Lamaison who helped their side to a shock 43-31 defeat of the All Blacks on Sunday. Organisers said Australian flyhalf Stephen Larkham was fourth and New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu, the early leader in the poll, fifth. The winner will be announced after Saturday’s final.