Henry Speight wants to repay the country that’s given him a better life when he makes his long-awaited Test debut for Australia against Ireland.
It’s taken four years for the rampaging Fijian-born winger to become eligible to play for his adopted homeland.
But Speight says whatever the outcome at Lansdowne Road on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT), it will have been worth the wait.
“It’s going to be a really special moment,” said Speight, who joined the Brumbies in 2011.
“Australia has given me this opportunity to have not only a good career but a better life, to be able to provide for myself and my family back in Fiji.
“It’s humbling that this moment is upon me and there’s no issue whatsoever about the time it has taken.
“There’s been people who went their whole career without playing for the Wallabies so I’m very grateful.”
Speight gets his chance in place of the rested Joe Tomane and the 26-year-old believes he’ll benefit from a first taste of international rugby in Australia’s tour-opening win over the Barbarians.
Wallabies and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has been on the receiving end of Speight’s brilliance in Super Rugby and is relishing a chance to work with the big winger.
“He had an absolutely outstanding Super Rugby season. It’s almost like there was a moratorium on tackling him at one stage,” Cheika said.
“I think it’s an opportunity well and truly deserved.
“He’s now got himself fully fit (after a hamstring injury) and I’m really looking forward to seeing him play his first Test.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Joe Schmidt achieved much of his success by making Eddie Jones look like a Pomeranian, with his coaching methods reported as tough, unpleasant and even brutal.
Ireland have proved far too strong for Italy, making it two Six Nations bonus point-wins from two with a dominant 36-0 win at the…
Louis Armstrong was asked once: ‘What is jazz?’ His reply: ‘Man, when you got to ask what it is, you’ll never get to know.’…
Ireland is set to defend their Six Nations crown without two of their biggest weapons, with Mack Hansen and Jimmy O'Brien both set for…
Coach Andy Farrell is set to lead Ireland at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia after signing a two-year contract extension. Farrell has…
PARIS – Before every match, Australian-born Irish prop Finlay Bealham has his hair braided. Why? Bealham won’t say it, but the 32-year-old pictures himself…
