Born: March 27, 1963
Test record: 16 Tests (1987-90, 1995-96) – 1 try (4 points)
Tours: 1987 tour of Papua New Guinea and Australia, 1995 World Cup

Tough Te Atatu forward Mark Horo played 16 Tests in a Kiwis career spanning 10 seasons, earning a memorable recall in the twilight of his career after a five-year absence from the international arena.

He represented Northern Districts against Australia in 1985 alongside his brother, 1985-88 Kiwi three-quarter Shane Horo, and was part of New Zealand Māori’s Pacific Cup campaign as well as starring in Te Atatu’s charge to the Lion Red National title in 1986.

A New Zealand call-up came the following season, forcing his way into the second-row for the one-off wins over Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby (in which he played alongside Shane) and Australia in Brisbane with Mark Graham unavailable.

The 25-year-old held his place despite Graham’s return in 1988, featuring at lock in victories against the Lions and Kumuls – both with his brother in the line-up – and the demoralising World Cup final defeat to Australia at Eden Park.

Horo spent an off-season with Salford and appeared in two Tests against the visiting Australian side in 1989, but the Auckland engine-room staple was a surprise exclusion from the touring party to Britain and France at the end of the year.

Linking with Parramatta in 1990, Horo’s international career stalled again after lining up in the second row in all three home Tests against Great Britain – including a try in the second clash at Mount Smart Stadium – and one Test in Papua New Guinea.

After 62 games in five seasons with the Eels, he rocketed back into Kiwis contention after an excellent campaign for Western Suburbs Magpies in 1995. The 32-year-old was chosen in the World Cup squad at the end of the year and played in all three matches, starting at lock in the epic semi-final loss to Australia.

Horo returned home with the Auckland Warriors in 1996 and was one of the underperforming outfit’s more reliable players, missing just three games across two seasons. He rounded out his Test career with two appearances against Papua New Guinea on home soil at the end of 1996.

Horo’s son, Justin, played over 200 NRL and Super League games for Parramatta, Manly, Catalans and Wakefield Trinity from 2010-19, and represented New Zealand Māori.