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Speight and Tomane make Wallabies pact

Roar Guru
26th February, 2015
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Brumbies flyers Joe Tomane and Henry Speight say they’ve made it their goal to push each other into the Wallabies’ two starting wing spots at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

But with their competition including James O’Connor, Rob Horne, Nick Cummins and possibly Adam Ashley-Cooper, they admit there might only be room for one of them come September.

And while those six players look most likely to jag the No.11 and No.14 jerseys, there’s also bolters such as Waratahs winger and former rugby league player Taqele Naiyaravoro to keep an eye on.

“It’s safe to say it’s our goal to play on opposite wings,” Tomane said.

“Our job is to nail down both spots. We have a good chance.

“But there’s healthy competition around the country.”

Speight and Tomane might play on opposite wings, but with some of their competition versatile enough to play on both, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika may have to choose one over the other.

Speight, who made his Test debut while Tomane was being rested during last year’s Spring Tour, admitted that scenario would feel a little weird.

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“But all we can do is push each other to the best of our abilities,” Speight said.

“And if we do fight for the same spot, then whoever gets chosen, we’ll both be happy for eachother.”

The two don’t just push each other on the training paddock, but continually try and one-up the other in the banter stakes.

Speight jokingly accused Tomane of robbing him of a try in Super Rugby round one, then dissed his teammate’s failure to grow a proper afro.

“I think he misses the tag ‘Fro Bros’,” Speight said.

“Mine’s gone now. But he really shouldn’t have taken the tag anyway because his is actually not decent.”

Says Tomane: “Yeah mine was just a fuzzy sort of weird growth and now it’s turned into a bit of a man bun.

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“Geez he said a lot about me aye? I’ll have to chat to him about that.”

The wing duo now turn their attention to Saturday night’s battle against Melbourne Rebels wingers Tom English and Dom Shipperley, both of whom have been previously called up to the Wallabies squad.

“The Rebels have really stepped up their physicality this year,” Speight said.

“It will be up to us to match that this weekend.”

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