James Horwill is to be inducted into the Queensland Rugby Union Hall of Fame for a career crowned by one of the greatest nights in the code's long history in the state.
The teammates, friends and fans he collected over a decade in the Queensland Reds jersey now have the opportunity to celebrate with him when the honour is bestowed at the 2026 Season Launch Long Lunch on Friday, February 6.
The Reds' longest-serving captain in history will be one of four Queenslanders named to join the QRU Hall of Fame in one of the Long Lunch highlights at Brisbane City Hall.
Celebrate the Hall of Fame class of 2026 and usher in the new season in style with a ticket to the gala event that launches the new season.
“It's a huge honour. It's certainly not something you set out to do or expect when you start your career," Horwill said.
"I'm privileged and proud to be a part of the QRU Hall of Fame. I was at City Hall for the Long Lunch to start 2025 when I saw what it meant to the players and coach honoured that day.
"Everyone has got a different story but the connecting piece is what Queensland rugby means to us."
Captain Horwill heaving the Super Rugby trophy above his head after the 2011 triumph in the final at a soldout Suncorp Stadium is one of the iconic images in Queensland rugby.
It meant so much because he'd been part of hauling the Reds out of the doldrums to the summit.
"That night is my favourite memory in a Queensland jersey. It had such big meaning for me and that team. To keep hearing it meant so much to youngsters watching at the final is a good feeling because any time you can have an impact on the next generation is huge," Horwill said.
It is a sign of Horwill's mark that he is the most recently retired player honoured in the Hall of Fame, having hung up the boots just six years ago in 2019 when he finished playing in England.
Horwill began his 120-game career for Queensland in a full-blooded game against the NSW Waratahs in 2006. He threw his first punch as a Red in the same game and knew quickly that matches against the old enemy would always be elevated occasions.
"I always loved that Queensland vs NSW rivalry and the feeling in those matches made them the ones I most looked forward to," Horwill said.
"I was lucky to have the likes of David Croft, Chris Latham, John Roe and Sean Hardman instil in me what it meant to play for Queensland, especially against NSW."
Horwill led the Reds on a record 69 occasions between 2006-2015 and took his leadership skills to the Wallabies during his 62-Test career.
