Nathan Sharpe has been rated with Springbok living legend Victor Matfield as the best lineout exponent in the past decade as he prepares for his 100th Wallabies Test on Friday night.
The 200cm-tall lock who began his international career in the same 2002 match as code-crossing stars Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers becomes just the fifth Australian to notch the milestone.
Controversially dumped from the Wallabies semi-final team to play the All Blacks, Sharpe will start beside skipper James Horwill in the second-row against Wales in the Rugby World Cup bronze final.
Set to play what looms as his final year with the Western Force next season, the 33-year-old could well have been stranded on 99 caps if the Wallabies lost their tense quarter-final to Matfield’s South Africa in Wellington.
“It’s a great milestone and it’s well-deserved,” said coach Robbie Deans. “He’s a class act, Sharpey, a good bloke to have in the group.
“He’s got a huge amount of respect from his peers. He’s a master of the lineout.
“He and Victor Matfield have probably been the two best lineout exponents in the last decade and that’s a rivalry that’s long standing.”
Matfield has always rated Sharpe his toughest rival but there were no guarantees Deans was going to deliver the honour.
He will no doubt receive congratulatory welcome from the 111-Test Boks veteran to a small club of just three 100-Test second-rowers, also including Frenchman Fabien Pelous.
Sharpe ironically debuted opposite Les Bleus captain Pelous in a 29-17 victory in Melbourne in June 2002, when there was more fanfare for high-profile converts Sailor and Rogers.
The Australian outfit that night included three of the four Wallabies – George Gregan (139), George Smith (110) and Stephen Larkham (102) – to post a century of Test appearances.
A play-off for third isn’t the fairytale that could have been for Sharpe but his rearranged team is motivated to ensure extra celebrations for the milestone.
A three-time World Cup campaigner, Sharpe said getting up mentally for what is largely seen a meaningless money-spinner would be the biggest challenge for players.
“This is my first time that I’ve been involved in a third and fourth play-off and it’s a completely different experience again, having to get back up on the horse and go again,” he said.
“I think there’s a few guys coming into the team this week who will bring some freshness and at the end of the day you’re still representing your country and that’s a great opportunity.”
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