Former Wallabies skipper James Horwill knows what he must improve but will play to his strengths in his audition for a cherished Test recall on Sunday.
Horwill will line up for his first match in six weeks when he makes his National Rugby Championship debut in Perth, trying to prove he still has the muscle and punch to play for Australia.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, who overlooked the 29-year-old for this month’s two Bledisloe Tests, has granted the second-rower 40 minutes of time for Brisbane City against Perth Spirit.
“I haven’t played for six weeks now so it’s good to have this competition available,” Horwill said. “It will be good to get stuck in and just enjoy it.”
“It’s always frustrating not playing.”
While McKenzie preferred Sam Carter to start at lock alongside lineout caller Rob Simmons, and also went with giant Will Skelton on the bench, Horwill is well in the mix to leapfrog both to start against South Africa on September 6.
The Queensland Reds’ skipper, hindered by a serious hamstring injury over the past two years, kept the areas he needed to improve to himself.
“We’ve had ongoing discussions with Ewen and the coaching staff and they’re minor things,” he said. “I’m pretty clear what they are looking for and what they want.
“I just have to go out and play my game and use my strengths and try and be someone else and play someone else’s game.”
McKenzie praised Horwill’s attitude and training ethic since being dropped and said a 40-minute blow-out were in his best interests for a possible Test return.
His big 117kg frame and expert maul defence would be key assets against the physical Springboks’ pack at Patersons Stadium, especially after the Wallabies were outmuscled 51-20 by the All Blacks.
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