Retiring lock Dan Vickerman has urged the Wallabies’ growing army of doubters to keep faith, pointing out they are younger than their perennial tormenters, the world champion All Blacks.
Unable to play since last year’s World Cup semi-final because of a shin stress fracture, Vickerman on Tuesday called time on a playing career that included 63 Tests for Australia.
“The rigours of professional rugby, it (the shin) just didn’t stand up to the load,” Vickerman said.
“I don’t think being six foot eight and 120 kilos has helped that.”
With captain James Horwill ruled out of the entire Rugby Championship due to a hamstring injury and stalwart Nathan Sharpe retiring later this year, Australia is running low on experienced locks.
But Vickerman said the Wallabies were in a good position with emerging locks like the Queensland Reds’ Rob Simmons, NSW Waratahs Kane Douglas and Sitaleki Timani plus Melbourne’s Cadeyrn Neville and Hugh Pyle to back up Horwill.
And Vickerman insisted the Wallabies’ future prospects were bright despite deflating successive losses to New Zealand to start the Rugby Championship.
“I think we’re a young side,” said Vickerman. “There’s not too many guys in our side who are over 25.
“If you look at the All Blacks the majority of their team would be 28 to 32.
“I think all teams that have done well have that time where the younger team needs to play together for a number of seasons.
“Just have faith and it will be good.”
He said the Wallabies needed to find a way to win the breakdowns if they were to beat New Zealand.
“The way the game is going now, the breakdown has almost become another set piece and I think they (New Zealand) are so efficient in their accuracy at the breakdown,” Vickerman said.
“They get front foot ball and I think to beat them you’ve got to meet that collision and win the gain line and we’ve got the guys to do that.”
atlas
Guest
maybe 2 Saveas - his brother Ardie is just 18 has already played NZ Sevens world champ winning side. for Hurricanes in the non-comp game v Reds, and tomorrow takes the field at #8 for Wellington in ITM Cup. barring injury a cert for next year's u-20s if available from 7s commitments
patonga
Guest
Problem is we need a team of 15 that played like Vickerman did ,, i liked it each time he played as he always played hard even on a losing side.. You were missed the years you were away ,,, and now be missed you have retired.
frisky
Guest
And you have not even mentioned Savea (the next Lomu) in that list !!
formeropenside
Guest
Oh, we are younger, so its OK. How did we do at the U-20's again? I dont "have faith" in the Wallabies.
atlas
Guest
hansen has been gradually bringing in the young ones, retallick, cruden, aaron smith, tameifuna and co, and then there's two more from the the U-20s in TJ Perenara who would likely have made the end of year tour if not for a broken ankle, and a 10 in Beauden Barret (scored 22pts on Saturday in ITM Cup) who has just 60min in an AB jersey (v Ireland). Hooker is the only area I don't see a #1 choice of successor - Wellington's Coles was in wider ab training squad If there was an Under-23 tournament they could field a great team right now.
Bono
Guest
NZ will dip and comeback to the pack at some stage in the next couple of years, as the great players retire or lose some of their superhuman abilities. In saying that, I like what Hansen is doing by gradually bringing in some young players (Faumaina for instance will start against the Argies and has the potential to be one of our best ever props) which means that the leveling out won't last too long. The ITM Cup has thrown up another bunch of talented youngsters, and the standard is bloody impressive. I think there are three to four teams in the ITM cup that will be able to beat the Force and the Rebels to be honest.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Robinson - 28, Moore - 29, TPN - 27, Kepu - 26, Alexander - 27, Sharpe - 34, Dennis - 26, Samo - 36, Barnes - 26, AAC - 28, Mitchell - 28, Ioane - 27... Sort of. The core of Pocock, Genia, Cooper, Beale and JOC are all young enough for two more WCs, but it's not that young a side. I do think he makes a reasonable point about NZ, however, and I've said a few times that I think Woodcock, Mealamu, Hore, McCaw, Carter and Smith could all potentially retire in the next two/three seasons. which could be problematic come the next WC. That said, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Read, Smith and Dagg are pretty key players and young also. Hmm...