Wallabies veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper is feeling the selection heat from a young pack of chasers he considers faster, fitter and probably more talented.
The 30-year-old NSW Waratahs star has built up many things over his 101 Test caps for Australia but a sense of complacency isn’t one of them.
Ashley-Cooper will join Stephen Larkham on 102 caps when he faces France in Paris on Saturday to sit equal fourth on Australia’s all-time Test appearances.
It seems likely the self-confessed late bloomer will add significantly to that tally in the lead-up to next year’s World Cup but Ashley-Cooper is taking nothing for granted.
With the Fijian-born sensation Tevita Kuridrani keeping him out of the centres and hungry youngsters Henry Speight, Joe Tomane and Rob Horne vying for wing spots, Ashley-Cooper is relying on his experience, drive and competitiveness to prolong his international career.
“I’m certainly feeling a lot of pressure in terms of my position,” Ashley-Cooper said.
“I’ve played a lot of my football in the midfield this year (with the Waratahs) but Tevita’s doing an absolutely excellent job in that area, so I don’t think there an opportunity for me there at the moment.
“I’ve really got to lock down where I’m playing at the moment (wing) and I love playing there, but there’s a lot of depth.
“I’ve obviously got a little bit more experience than these guys but these guys I feel could be a little bit more talented, a little bit faster and fitter.
“If I remain more competitive and hold on to that experience, maybe I can stay just in front.”
Ashley-Cooper had a late growth spurt as a youngster and his father always told him he’d be a late bloomer.
He says he’s “only starting to get this game” at 30 and hopes a maiden Super Rugby title in his 10th season could precede World Cup glory next year.
However the versatile back says he can’t afford to look too far ahead as he and the squad adjust to the brutal Wallabies training regime under Michael Cheika.
“For me it’s hard just getting through a day at a time,” he said.
“I’m only worrying about the (training) session this afternoon and in a way I’m a little bit nervous about it because I know it’s going to be a tough one.
“Anything can happen and at the moment all I’ve got is an opportunity to play France this weekend and it could be my last. I think that’s the way you’ve got to see it.”
Meanwhile Ashley-Cooper has deflected talk about his future, despite French reports this week suggesting he was in talks with Top 14 club Bordeaux.
Ashley-Cooper admitted earlier this year he would pursue options overseas beyond 2015 but said discussions on his future would be left until after the spring tour.
“I see this time we’ve got together as a really important time and I don’t want any distractions for me personally,” he said.
canadiankiwi
Guest
ABOS. Hansen will select specialists only in the starting two wing positions at RWC (Savea at left wing, Ben Smith at right wing). All other backs selected will be utilities who can cover more than one position. If one of the specialist wingers need to be rested or have a short term injury, but are not invalided out of the tournament in a pool game, they will be replaced by a utility back. If one of the specialist wingers suffer a tournament-ending injury, then Hansen has the option, and probably will, call up another specialist winger as a replacement (ie Hosea Gear, Patrick Osborne, Frank Halai).
canadiankiwi
Guest
Slade will be in the RWC 31 man squad because he is the only accurate and reliable GOAL KICKER in the team other than Carter. Cruden and Barrett are excellent running and distributing fly halfs. Cruden has a very good short kicking game, while Barrett has a good short and long kicking game, but in tests, often fails to use them in the heat of battle (as he does with the Hurricanes). However, both are inconsistent goal kickers in tests (in addition Cruden simply does not have any length to his place kicks or long punts- a pop gun really). As RWCs are usually won, and lost, on goal kicking I expect Steve Hansen will want at least two reliable, long range goal kickers (50-55 meters)- Carter and Slade. I do not know who Slade will replace in the RWC squad- a fly half (Cruden or Barrett) or an outside back (Jane, Piutau). You can really only carry specialists in the starting positions at RWC- all reserve backs must be able to play multiple positions.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Are you aware that Colin Slade is the fastest back in the squad, according to teammates? Are you aware Slade can punt long off both feet (Carter is the only other All Black who can). Are you aware Slade is excellent under the high ball? I do not know how good a Test winger Slade is but, like Steve Hansen, I am curious to find out. Slade has the skill-set to be an outstanding wing/fullback. One thing for sure, I do not feel comfortable with Cruden or Barrett place-kicking in a knockout game of RWC (Weepu kicked for Cruden in 2011). If Carter is injured and Cruden or Barrett is starting at 10, I would feel much more confident with Slade kicking goals while playing 14.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Tomane has actually been disappointing, although it is still early days for his career. AAC shouldn't have to worry about Rob Horne!
Paul
Guest
As an ABs supporter the player I was most worried about in the Aus backline was AAC at centre. He used to have the ability to make a break out of nowhere that often ended with a try. He seems a very poor winger though
Stray Gator
Guest
AAC's grip on a place in the team just loosened a fraction. KB's already on the bomber to France.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Outplayed him by virtue of being on the winning team? Or by scoring 1 more point than him? I recall everyone going on about Beale being the playmaker that won the Super Final. How can Foley be there too? With the backline Slade had all season, I think he did very well. Has a very solid boot (off tee and in generall play) with a bit more range than Foley, oodles of pace, seems to tackle well apart from those mouthguard clangers late in the season (Hurricanes and Blues), though he does go higher than he should on the big guys. + Utility value.
44bottles
Roar Guru
AAC might actually makes the Boks starting side. They have two 12s playing in the centres, with not a huge amount of balance, and Serfontein doesn't have the position right on account of playing 12 for all his super/international seasons IIRC. And you never know if he would replace JP/Hendriks, depending on who starts. This is all theoretical of course. No way to know how any one player would work in any team. Best any of us can do is speculate.
44bottles
Roar Guru
He actually is a good defender when playing anywhere but wing. Doesn't seem to position well there, oddly, rather than technical. Maybe it was because he was always playing fullback, first five or second five at Super level before being put on the wing.
44bottles
Roar Guru
If injury happens, they need someone who is with the squad to fill in, rather than fly someone halfway around the world to England. Especially with the rules surrounding how long a player must be training with the team before playing. If they get some late injuries, pretty sure they won't be legally able to bring someone new in, excluding the jetlag. All he's doing is testing Slade's utility, just as he has done with a few positions. You had TJ perenara and Vito on the wings for a bit (after substitutions), Ben Smith and Fekitoa at 12, etc.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Nah mate, Slade is the ultimate utility. you can slot him anywhere in the backline except midfield.
Ron Burgundy
Guest
lets not get ahead of ourselves with wishful thinking... its not like hunt set the world on fire when he played club rugby for biarritz in france... he was nothing better tag average from all reports.
soapit
Guest
hunt has the potential to be our best 12 since horan. all the skills and has pace in attack and tackles like a demon.
soapit
Guest
i dont go for the reds and i'd like hunt to slot into the backline somewhere if he goes as well as i'm expecting. sounds like they might be playing him at 15 and he's got better all round skills than folau some it would make reaosnable sense. personally i'd leave folau at 15 and joc to wing and hunt to 12. with either of our top halve combos that backline would give any team real headaches.
Daz
Guest
Mike, Mike, Mike. It wasn't just about saving the try which I'll grudgingly admit Two Dads did really well. It was really all about the new fluoro boots, getting them on prime time television and giving his sponsor as much exposure as possible. That's also why he never passes and goes to ground with the ball. For God's sake, if he passes the cameras have to follow the ball taking away valuable exposure from Two Dads and his third party sponsors. See chercher le moula.
Fiji
Guest
AAC - Jack of all trades...master of none.
AlBo
Guest
Baffling.
Rower who wishes he could play rugby.
Roar Pro
I really think the Wallabies need a big ball carrying 12 the give them some go forward.
Fiji
Guest
JOC ?? Guys like Savea and North will steamroll him. I dont understand why everyone is so hyped up about him. Who would he displace in the current wallaby starting line up?
dmac
Guest
Massively terrible call.