Fired-up McMeniman eyes permanent starting role

Back row or second row, Hugh McMeniman is not fussed. He just wants to nail down a spot anywhere in the Test side on the Wallabies’ looming Spring Tour.

Mallett names squad for autumn Tests

With the injured James Horwill, plus possibly Wycliff Palu, joining Dan Vickerman and Rocky Elsom on the absentees’ list, McMeniman seems certain to be granted his birthday wish of a starting berth against the All Blacks in the tour-opening Bledisloe Cup fixture in Hong Kong on November 1.

The Wallabies are seriously light on mongrel in the pack and McMeniman says he’s more than happy to serve as Australia’s forward enforcer, if that means more game time.

“I like to play aggressively but within the rules,” he said after Wallabies training today in Sydney.

“You know, hard defence and that but I’d just really like to get that run-on spot.”

McMeniman has good reason to be champing at the bit.

The highly-rated Queenslander’s career has had a wretched run with injury since being one of the rare shining lights on the Wallabies’ forgettable 2005 Spring Tour.

His 2006 Spring Tour lasted less than 10 minutes when he was stretchered off with a neck injury in the opening mid-week games against the Ospreys in Swansea.

Then, breathing easier after surviving the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France without breaking down, McMeniman’s Super 14 season was wiped out in round two this season when he broke his leg.

Once again, he fought his way back into the Wallabies side - but has only managed to start one of his five Tests in 2008.

And, feeling as fresh as any time in his stop-start career, McMeniman is eager for more of a centre-stage role.

“Training’s been really, really good,” he said.

“My body’s actually staying together, I’m keeping weight on … hopefully I can just make the side because it’s been hard for me, and for the other guys on the edges, to prove myself going on in the last 10 minutes.”

While blindside flanker remains his preferred position, McMeniman accepts Horwill’s foot injury, coming on top of Vickerman’s European sabbatical, has left him more likely to be thrust into the second row.

“I’ve definitely thought about that, but I don’t care where I play,” he said.

“I know how to play both positions, so I really don’t mind.”

After tackling the All Blacks, the Wallabies play Italy in Padova, England at Twickenham, France in Paris and Wales in Cardiff on successive Saturdays in November before winding up the six-match tour against the Barbarians in London on December 3.

Super 14 tipping now live for sign-ups. Join now and invite your mates.

Free Email updates:

• Get a daily Rugby Union email

Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...

© 2007 AAP