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Code-hopper's first touch in Test rugby union 'pretty much what dreams are made of'
By AAP
Winger Tom Wright had to bide his time for a Test debut under new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie but needed only two minutes to make an impression against the All Blacks.
The 23-year-old Brumbies player had visualised his first involvement in the days leading up to Saturday's 24-22 win at Suncorp Stadium, but could scarcely believe his luck when the moment came a few metres from the goal-line.
A set play from a lineout saw five-eighth Reece Hodge place a chip kick in the path of Tom Banks who ran onto the ball and flung a pass out wide to Wright.
With cool composure, Wright wrongfooted opposing winger Sevu Reece and cantered over for a try with his first touch in Test rugby.
"Obviously that's pretty much what dreams are made of," Wright said.
"When it gets put on a platter for you like that, it doesn't get much better."
Having opened the scoring, nothing was going to prevent Wright from savouring a fine debut, not even the shoulder of Ofa Tu'ungafasi which clobbered into his jaw in the 23rd minute and led to a red card for the All Blacks forward.
Wright was back on his feet quickly, though, and menaced the All Blacks defence with a number of impressive carries through the match.
Overlooked by Rennie for the first three Bledisloe Cup clashes, Wright was thrilled to play a part in his Brumbies teammate James Slipper's 100th test in his home state of Queensland.
"Representing your country is extremely special for me ... and I'm just so pleased to win for someone like Slip," he said.
Wright will hope to earn a second cap against Argentina in the Wallabies' next Tri-Nations clash, in Newcastle on November 21.
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Latest Comments
Agreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
Go to commentsAs Naas would say... A win is a win.
It was not perfect and at times frustrating. All 3 tests were not the best by the Boks and they still found ways to win.
Rassie would have noted the sloppyness at times and silly mistakes. The 9's made amateur handling mistakes when clearing the rucks in all 3 tests.
Once the "stupid" mistakes are eliminated, this Bok team will be very very hard to beat.
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