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A rare slip-up by the usually meticulous Wallabies coach Robbie Deans prematurely revealed Lachlan Turner’s debut Test call-up today. And it almost did the youngster’s head in.
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Turner was today officially unveiled as one of four changes in the Wallabies team to tackle France in Saturday night’s second Test in Brisbane, taking the injured Lote Tuqiri’s wing spot.
But earlier today Deans unwittingly let the cat out of the bag when he accidentally flashed the Test team up on a screen during a backs meeting.
“He might have got a snap shot of it prior to that in the meeting actually because by mistake I clicked the wrong button,” Deans said in Brisbane today.
“It was up there for a couple of seconds, I don’t know if he spotted his name or not.”
He sure did.
The team was flashed for just three seconds before being taken off by a poker faced Deans but it sparked what seemed like endless anxiety for the 21-year-old speedster.
“I saw my name there and my body shut down straight away,” said Turner, who only made his Super 14 debut last season.
“For the next half an hour I couldn’t even speak, I was so nervous.
“I didn’t know what to make of it. I thought it might have been a list of the Australia A guys.
“I was a walking zombie for a little while. I felt like saying `hang on, go back and tell me what it is, put me out of my misery’.”
Turner added: “I had to go out and ask the other boys who else was in the team because as soon as I saw my name I stopped listening.”
He would have been told Stephen Hoiles had taken over from wounded No.8 Wycliff Palu for the Suncorp Stadium clash in the wake of last weekend’s 34-13 first Test win in Sydney.
Phil Waugh was promoted from the bench to start at openside flanker, swapping places with George Smith.
And Adam Ashley-Cooper took over the fullback spot with Cameron Shepherd relegated to the bench.
Turner said his selection didn’t sink in until he rang his mother Trish.
“She played (the song) `I am a Wallaby’ down the phone … she actually broke down into tears – that really brought everything crashing home to me about what a great opportunity I’ve got and just how lucky I am,” he said.
Trish and his father Warren will be at the game this weekend – and won’t be too hard to pick out it seems.
“I am sure the people around them will think they are weirdos the way they will be carrying on,” Turner said.
Deans said the versatile Turner’s all round game earned him his Test debut ahead of other candidates.
“He’s got speed, and that’s a quality that you can’t buy. He’s courageous, he’s a good defender,” he said.
“He’s got a skill set, he can kick, he’s played fullback so positionally he’s aware and active.
“He’s a young man who’s just getting started. He’ll bring a real excitement and enthusiasm to the game – I think you’ll see him all over the park.”
Deans said both unforced changes today were made because he wanted to give Waugh and Ashley-Cooper more game time.
He revealed he would have given Ashley-Cooper some time at fullback in the first Test if he hadn’t needed him to replace Tuqiri.
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.