After 61 Tests and nine years as a Wallaby, Dan Vickerman is expecting to again be sledged as a turncoat by his former countrymen.
South-African-born lock Vickerman will line up against the Springboks for the first time in three years after gaining a tight selection call over Nathan Sharpe for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Wellington.
His selection to play beside Australian skipper James Horwill surprised the South Africans who rate Sharpe’s lineout ability highly and the 32-year-old admitted he was fortunate.
Fellow Test veteran Sharpe starred in the two easy pool wins over Russia and United States and had a storming game in the last meeting with the Springboks, a 14-9 win in Durban.
Coach Robbie Deans’ call leaves 33-year-old Sharpe desperately hoping for victory, and the chance to play in an Auckland semi-final, so he’s not stranded on 99 Tests.
While Springbok veteran Victor Matfield rates Sharpe among his leading rivals, Deans has preferred Vickerman’s steely physicality and mongrel.
“I’m pretty fortunate and I think I’ve had a pretty fortunate year to date so I’m ecstatic to be playing on the weekend,” Vickerman said.
“Sharpey has been a big performer over a number of years and he will still have a big impact on the game (off the bench).”
Vickerman downplayed the extra significance of meeting his birth nation but his response showed it would certainly add an extra edge to a “special” experience.
“Any Test is special, I will leave it at that – we’ve got a World Cup quarter-final,” he said.
But he was braced for more verbal taunts for turning his back on South Africa at 19.
“I don’t think it will be too much different from what I have experienced in the past,” he said.
“If there is sledging that is involved there then so be it, that’s all part of it and it adds to the spice and excitement of the game.”
While Vickerman basically earned his spot in Australia’s strongest team with his aggressive display in the Tri Nations-deciding win over New Zealand in Brisbane, the Boks still expected Sharpe.
“The Australia lineout functions really well with Nathan there,” said forwards coach Gary Gold.
“He’s a wise old head and he knows what he’s doing at lineout time and he’s the one guy that Victor has gone out publicly and said they have a fierce contest at lineout time.”
ivan
Guest
Few believe the aussies deserved that win, and ALL of them are aussies. Well done Australia, talking up Bryce Lawrence this week paid handsome dividends. Boks outplayed the aussies totally, but instead of sour grapes let's just say well done and good luck going forward.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Your also on ya way home...your the weakest link...good bye :)
dwc
Guest
Australia please bash up the Boks badly so if they win the All Blacks can put an end to all this choking stuff.
Crashy
Guest
Will be very interested to see the game plan in today's QF. Wallabies should get there but really its 50/50. Seems a bit strange that the heritage of the Wallabies are under scrutiny. How many PI born players are running around for the All Blacks? All those rugby scholarships granted to PI teenage kids must be embarrassing for the average Kiwi. Go wallabies Go rugby
katzilla
Roar Guru
At the moment the Wallabies, simply because they appear to be the better suited game for us without our 1st five. Thats should we of course get past Argentina. That could change though mid game depending on the attrition rate.
Ivan
Guest
two things, we got the hot women - and you got the annoying accents. Ivan - SA
Ivan
Guest
me too. i rate higginbotham highly. In fact, hes better than Rocky. As a Bok fan, im pleased hes not picked.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Greypower Sharpe loves these games, do or die because of his aging frame, as in Matfields it is far easier having a great game in one that means something than bashing week in and week out. Guess thats why PDV used rest and rotation on the aging Boks.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
VC wasn't your best player on the park last night "an import"?
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Spot on Cattle Dog. Any bloke (any person) that sings our anthem with pride because he (she) enjoys/loves living in Australia is an Aussie. To those that keep bringing up multiculturalism as a weak link; suggest you look at how well your country is going off the sport field and scratch that itch called jealousy.
Ivan
Guest
I think Sharpe would have been a better pick for Aus - SA should now dominate Lineout and Scrum - That will negate two good attacking platforms for Aus. Vickerman may add some grunt, but hes going to be fighting alone with Pocock against a strong pack. I may be proved wrong - but i cant see this pack getting parity against this battle hardened Springbok outfit. Samoas pack was insanely strong, and they were negated quite easily for first 40, before Boks decided to preserve their bodies.
Ivan
Guest
Hes not as tough as Bakkies - expect either Schalk or Bismarck to flatten him tomorrow.
Ivan
Guest
LOL @ Saw the light. So Who are the Kiwis supporting tomorrow in the Aus / SA game ?
Ivan
Guest
And on the outback, you can be married 3 times - and still have the same in laws.
Ivan
Guest
Aussies have more imports than NZ and SA. Strangely i always hear Aussies sledging the Kiwis about this.
Ivan
Guest
can he still speak afrikaans ? The language has evolved you know - we dont drive tractors to work, and wrestle bulls for fun anymore. the Boere have evolved to armani shirts and Mercedes Benz. Im sure Bakkies will be upset that he wont get to give Dan a few chirps. All in the spirit of the game though, im sure the guys will have a few cold ones afterwards.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Love the O'Connor blerb, Uncle, gold :)
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Additionally, why wouldn't you want to live in Australia when you see some of the other hell holes. And if we let them play rugby as well, then what a bonus...they possibly think they've died and gone to (rugby) heaven...but heaven can wait... That last bit was a little advert...
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Jiggles, you've probably noted that very few on this site let fact get in the way of a good rant...lol
jeb
Guest
I was under the impression rugby wasn't about what (private) school you went to anymore??