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'Every time I've been a part of a side with him, he adds something so much on and off the field'
By Online Editors
After doing the hard yards in Australia, the Wallabies have headed overseas excited about the rugby carrots dangling before them in a World Cup year.
With the squad's Brumbies contingent joining them after some time off following last weekend's Super Rugby semi-final in Argentina the 34 players flew to South Africa on Sunday.
They start their five-Test build-up to the World Cup in Japan in September with a Rugby Championship opening round fixture in Johannesburg on July 21 Australian time.
The Wallabies play only one rather than the usual two rounds of Championship games and face New Zealand in a second Bledisloe Cup match and a warm-up Test against Samoa before the World Cup.
"Really excited to get away; we've been doing some real hard yards up until this point," Wallabies' captain and flanker Michael Hooper said on Sunday just before departing.
"It's the first time we're really getting the full squad together, the Brumbies coming in today, and getting on the plane together and going to work.
"Everyone is so excited about the job, there’s so many carrots throughout the year to go for and strive for, it’s a great opportunity to be a part of."
Hooper said he was hugely excited by the uncapped trio of backrowers, Isi Naisarani , Liam Wright and Rob Valetini.
The Wallabies leader was also excited by the recall of veteran playmaker Christian Lealiifano, who played his last Test just over three years ago and was sidelined for 12 months after being diagnosed with leukaemia
"Every time I’ve been a part of a side with him, he adds something so much on and off the field," Hooper said of Lealiifano.
"Really excited to see him back in the colours and a great reward for a top season."
The Wallabies will have an unusually long time in South Africa prior to their season-opening Test.
"It's always helpful to get attuned to the climate over there; it's sunny and low on oxygen every day so we get a bit of a taste of that (with almost two weeks) over there," Hooper said.
Among the injured players missing from the squad are veteran forwards David Pocock, Adam Coleman and, Tatafu Polota-Nau.
- AAP
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Latest Comments
I so wish we could use BIG words here to say what an absolute %^$# this guy is, but we can't so I won't.
Go to commentsGet world rugby to buy a few Islands in the Mediterranean. Name them Rugby Island #1, #2, #3 etc. All teams are based there all season and as the knockouts progress, losers go home for a few months rest. Sell the TV rights to any and all.
Have an open ballot/lottery each week to fly fans out to fill the stadiums. They get to enter the draw if they pay their taxes and avoid crime which would encourage good social engagement from rugby supporters as responsible citizens. The school kids get in the draw if they are applying themselves at school and reaching their potential.
Or maybe there is some magic way to prioritise both domestic rugby and international rugby by having the same players playing for 12 months of the year...
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