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Wallabies line-out ace Dan Vickerman plans to make a welcome return from injury in club rugby on Saturday as he prepares for next week’s Tri Nations opener against South Africa in Perth.
The Waratahs second-rower has been sidelined since having ankle surgery immediately after the Super 14 final loss to the Crusaders in May, but his recovery is ahead of schedule and he will turn out for Sydney University this weekend provided he gets through training.
Vickerman, who turned 29 last month, has been running pain-free for over a week and plans to ramp up his training to ensure he is ready for the type of physical contact the South African-born lock relishes.
His presence will be greatly appreciated by Australian coach Robbie Deans, who has to decide whether to partner Vickerman with James Horwill or his regular sparring partner Nathan Sharpe, who is recovering from a groin injury.
“I’ve obviously got to get through this week of training and planning to play a bit of club rugby,” Vickerman said in Sydney today.
“Hopefully if the foot pulls up alright (I’ll play). It’s exciting, very exciting times.
“The guys have had a few good wins over France and Ireland and I think moving forward hopefully I’ll be able to slot into the squad and put my foot forward for selection.
“But there’s a fair bit of competition which is always good.”
Vickerman was among four players added to Deans’ 30-man Tri Nations squad this week, along with Timana Tahu, Drew Mitchell and Hugh McMeniman, who were all unavailable for the opening Tests of the year through injury.
A 52-Test veteran, Vickerman is the most important addition, although he knows he has to prove his 204cm frame is ready for what promises to be a bruising clash with the world champion Springboks.
“I’m feeling fantastic but feeling alright and walking around are two different things when you’ve actually got to run and change direction and put a fair bit of load through,” he said.
“But hopefully it should be okay. I’m pretty confident.”
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is another player who is yet to feature in the Test program this season due to a hand injury, but will play for Parramatta this weekend.
He is also hopeful of being a part of the Tri Nations squad in Perth.
“(The hand was) something that I wanted to be a bit more patient with,” he said today.
“Hearing about other hand injuries people have come back too quickly. But it’s all going to plan and feels really good.”
While the game against the Springboks will be Australia’s first in this year’s Tri Nations campaign, the South Africans will already have played matches at home and away against New Zealand.,
The opening match of the series last weekend was a bruising affair, won 19-8 by the All Blacks in Wellington.
Vickerman knows the Wallabies will be facing a battle-hardened South African outfit at Subiaco Oval, but believes there are also some advantages for the home side.
“They’ll have a bit more continuity,” he said of the Springboks.
“But we’ll have the freshness of having a couple weeks of training and developing a good strategy.”
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.