Former Wallabies No.8 Scott Higginbotham is not giving up hope of a Test return this year.
The 30-year-old is back with the Queensland Reds after wrapping up his two-year stint with Japanese Top League club NEC Green Rockets last weekend.
A spot will open up in Australia’s back row this year because of David Pocock’s one-year rugby sabattical but Higginbotham said he had no idea if he factors into coach Michael Cheika’s plans.
“Who knows,” Higginbotham said.
“You never say you’ve given it up.
“(But) like a lot of players – Liam Gill included, probably – you come to the understanding that it’s out of your hands.
“I’ll be playing football to the best of my ability and whatever happens from that happens. It’s not my choice in the end.”
Capped 32 times for the Wallabies, Higginbotham’s last Test was Australia’s last-gasp win over South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in July 2015.
Cheika will need a new No.8 to replace Pocock and a strong season from Higginbotham could put him right in the frame, along with Sean McMahon and Lopeti Timani, who also played in that position for the Wallabies last year.
He will begin training with the Reds next week.
Ex-teammates Quade Cooper, Stephen Moore and Leroy Houston have also returned to the franchise for second stints.
“There’s a lot of good memories here. Blokes want to come back and they’ve got a certain amount of feeling towards the jersey,” Higginbotham said.
“That’s great, it’ll show in the football hopefully.”
The only Reds players yet to report for pre-season duty are George Smith and Hendrik Tui, who have just helped Suntory Sungoliath win the Japanese Top League title.
They are due back in late February.
“I actually watched (Smith) play last weekend in Japan and you could have fooled me that he’s 36 or whatever. I’d say he’d be 25. He’s a fantastic player,” Higginbotham said.
As for Queensland’s chances in Super Rugby this year, Higginbotham isn’t getting carried away with talk they could top the Australian conference.
“Watching how difficult it was for the Australian teams last season against the New Zealand and South Africa franchises, everyone’s got a long way to go,” he said.
“I think anyone’s a chance.”
Terry
Guest
6 TImani 7 Mcmahon 8 Higgers Hooper can cover 11 12 13 14 Dean Mumm NRC or water boy
BF
Guest
Where would the balance in the back row come from? If you select hooper, higginbotham, Mumm - who will actually compete and get involved in the breakdown? That'll be like playing the game with 5 wingers. If you slot McMahon in there, there goes our set piece. The short answer - but it will never happen under Cheika - is th get rid of hooper. Picking. Balanced back row seems to work for the All Blacks, England and Ireland
Terry
Guest
Cheika doesn't rate Kerevi, that's why he dropped him for game 3 against the poms after being the best metere eater in game 1 and 2 pal..
Terry
Guest
What game ??
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Id like to see how good Higginbotham is playing first.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
I heard Kerevi wasnt rated or wanted by Cheika. Then he was picked. Cheika came in, used a bunch of players on the tour of Europe and then in 2015 when Higginbotham signed for an overseas club he opted for Pocock and Hooper in the backrow. This worked and Australia went on to win the RC, win the pool of death and make the WC final. Both Pocock and Hooper were nominated for world player of the year. So when people come out and say that Cheika wont select him or doesnt rate him I find it hard to agree because Ive heard that about players before and those players went on to be test starters.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Yes he was.
mania
Guest
doubles - agree bout higgers not wanted by cheika. havent been able to figure out why tho.
Doubles
Guest
Peter why would Chieka pick Scott Higginbotham??? ..He doesn't rate him mate
Doubles
Guest
No chance !! He is a Qld red now.
Doubles
Guest
Hello Everybody......That right there!!! ..That last line you said. ..That is exactly what Cheika thinks ...Meanwhile consistent underperformers Mumm Phipps Foley and Folau are continually selected without question...That is why Aussie rugby is on the nose.. Go Reds !! Goo you Good things !!! Go Higgers !! Forget Chieka and his Waratah pals
Terry
Guest
When was he dropped out of the match day 23 Hello everybody yeah yeah ??....... NEVER....
Rugbydan1
Guest
A guy can dream
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree Timani has to be retained but no reason he can't play 6 (or at 8 and Higgs at 6). Higgs a better option than McMahon whether he gets picked at 6 or 8.
Browny
Guest
That's the combination that feels right to me.
Browny
Guest
I tend to think Mumm's lineout ability was one of the major factors in his selection, particularly when Pocock and Hooper were named on field together. He also has his one-in-six-games highlight reel moment; a great run, an intercept, a crucial tackle out wide. Even if they see Mumm as a slightly better lineout target than Higgers, and I don't think there's all that much in it, surely Higginbotham offers so much more in the loose than Mumm. Better runner, better at the breakdown, better link-man and has a bigger frame so does better in contact and at the breakdown. If Higgers plays 6 with Timani and Hooper that not only allows Timani to continue to develop at 8 while keeping the current loose forward structure in general play where the two flankers play looser/wider and the 8 plays tight.
Jock Cornet
Guest
George smith , Bernie and Latham and walker on the wing and we may get the bledisloe back
Joe Blow
Guest
I would say 6. Timani 7. Hooper 8. Higgers with Maddog McMahon on the bench as cover for all three.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
What does this accomplish? Cheika might pick you Higgers and he did pick the best players last year. All you have to do is prove you are the best option in Aus. Something youve always struggled to do consistently. Go Higgers.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Well thats new. Mumm was dropped a few times last year. I get that D.Mumm is the preferred punching bag in Australia but lets calm down and not start making this a conspiracy theory.