Select Edition

Northern
Southern
Global
NZ

Code-hopper's first touch in Test rugby union 'pretty much what dreams are made of'

By AAP
Tom Wright (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

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.

Codie Taylor talks about losing to the All Blacks...

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.