Pyle eyes Australia spot

Editor

Melbourne Rebels lock Hugh Pyle has targeted 2014 as being the year that he breaks through into the Wallaby camp.

Melbourne Rebels lock Hugh Pyle has targeted 2014 as being the year that he breaks through into the Wallaby camp.

Pyle underwent a shoulder reconstruction at the end of last season, cutting his year short after showing potential in Super Rugby.

Now back in full training ahead of the new season, Pyle is grateful to the club's medical staff for his excellent recovery.

“I had minor surgery which allowed me to come back against the British and Irish Lions and Highlanders, but my shoulder wasn't up to scratch and so I had a full reconstruction,” said Pyle.

“I didn't want my season to end there; I wanted to push for higher honours. I am back in full training now and I can't thank the physiotherapy staff and trainers enough for helping me get there.

“I didn't do any contact training before Christmas, which means my body feels great and I am ready for the full contact element now for the rest of pre-season and into the trial matches and Super Rugby.”

The Wallabies are well-stocked in the second row with James Horwill and Rob Simmons as the obvious starters with Kane Douglas behind, but Sitaleki Timani's move to Montpellier has opened a door for someone else to compete.

Pyle hopes that good form for the Rebels will lead to international call-ups not just for himself but also others on the team.

“I definitely want to play for the Wallabies in 2014; that goes without saying,” Pyle said.

“I have been pushing for that since I started playing Super Rugby, and I think everybody playing for the Rebels is doing the same.

“To play for the Wallabies is what we all grow up wanting to do, and to achieve that at some point would be awesome.

“If the club have five or six guys in the national squad, then that is a good marker of how we are travelling.

“Every player wants to make that breakthrough and there are definitely a lot of guys who had massive seasons in 2013, including some in their first season of Super Rugby, who will look to build on that and start to get rewarded with national selection.”