Dan Vickerman says he’s determined to repay faith shown in him by Australia coach Robbie Deans as he pushes for a Rugby World Cup squad berth.
The towering former Test secondrower returned to Australia earlier this month after finishing three years of study in England.
Vickerman hadn’t played since mid-March but had a 20-minute cameo role off the bench in the Waratahs’ final regular season Super Rugby game against the Brumbies.
That was followed by half a club rugby game for Sydney University against Parramatta at the weekend.
Deans watched Vickerman play against the Brumbies and the big forward is gratified by the interest and support from the national coach.
“I’m pretty stoked, to be honest,” said Vickerman on Monday.
“I think I’m pretty fortunate to have guys who have got a little bit of faith in me so, hopefully, I can repay that faith and get a few good performances under the belt.
“It’s always good to have positive feedback and it’s fantastic. I’m just keen to get amongst it and repay the favours that have been shown to me.”
Vickerman feels he is couple of full games away from match fitness.
“I’m working quite hard on the conditioning during the week and punching out a game on the weekend,” Vickerman said.
“I think, hopefully, a couple of 80-minutes and I should be right fitness-wise and just get all the rustiness out and get the skill base back to where it needs to be.”
Vickerman was reunited with some of his former Wallabies team-mates at a scrum camp which started in Sydney on Monday.
His long-time Test second-row partner Nathan Sharpe believes his return from England is a boon to Australian rugby.
“Vicks is an absolute quality footballer. He will get a few runs on the board pretty quickly, I imagine, which will be great for Australia,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe, who was sidelined from the Force’s final Super match against Melbourne with an ankle injury, said he would be right to play by this weekend, but hadn’t yet arranged a club match in either Perth or the eastern states.
While many prominent members of the Wallabies squad are in their early 20s and could conceivably play in at least two more World Cups after this year, 33-year-old Sharpe is looking at his last opportunity.
“I want to win the World Cup, there’s nothing simpler than that and this is my last opportunity to do so,” he said.
Sharpe felt there had been an improvement in set piece work across all the Australian Super rugby teams throughout the season.
“If you look at the set piece across the board, the technique in Australian lineouts is all very good which is going to correlate to a good lineout performance I think for the Wallabies,” Sharpe said.
“In scrummaging you’ve seen some really good combinations come together throughout Super Rugby, guys that have been around for a couple of years are really starting to grasp what’s required at that level.”
jeremy
Guest
Wouldn't it have been a slap in the face for all the 4s and 5s in the country when he emigrated from South Africa? In all honesty if the 4 and 5s in the country aren't up to his level why not bring him back? Dude played in 2003, he probably remembers what it's like to beat the All Blacks in a World Cup.
Sportym
Guest
Are we brining back Gregan and Larkham also?? If he were to be selected, then what a slap in the face to evey 4 and 5 in the country who busted thier chops in the last 3 years while Vickerman was on holidays "studying". If he Vickerman was serious about RWC 2011 he should have comeback earlier and gone through a sesson or two of SR.
flying hori
Guest
hes a has been, move on
Rory
Guest
I thought Timani had already committed to playing for Tonga - and that's why he had to leave the Tahs! Maybe he should have been approached to be our marquee signing next year!
Rugby Reg
Guest
still have fond memories of vickerman ruling the lineouts. he seems very calm under pressure , dingo certainly has been watching those old tapes. hope he still has some left, because he can help the wallabies in their crusade for the cup (sorry for the pun kiwis!)
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
jameswm, I'm surprised you saw anything much positive or negative in his cameo. My feelings on Vickerman are the same as I have for Elsom. I'm not keen on players being rushed back. They need to prove they have match fitness, touch, etc. at SOME level before they are brought back into the Wallaby 22. I would be saying the same for Genia, Cooper, whoever. From recollection greats like Tim Horan had to go through the same thing. I really hope Vickerman and Elsom come back better than ever but I have not seen enough from them to warrant Wallaby selection. I can't believe we have succumbed to picking players on reputation rather than form.
Big Steve
Guest
I thought Timani was only playing in Japan over the summer and would be back part way through super 15 next year, which would make him eligible. Aren't Tonga trying to get him to play for them for the WC. Interesting to see if Deans plays him in an early test so they keep him as an option.
IronAwe
Guest
It will be Simmons over Timani. Timani is going to Japan next year so wont be available for the Wallabies after this year even if he does get selected. Is there any real point in picking a player and developing him if he wont be around after the cup?
jameswm
Guest
He certainly looked the goods in his Waratahs cameo. How long is he signed for? Our 4 locks to take to the WC would have to be Horwill, Sharpe, Timani and Vickerman. If you want a 5th, then Rob Simmons.