Big chance: Henry Speight
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It promises to be a huge year for wing Henry Speight as he looks to progress into the Wallaby setup after becoming eligible for Australian Test selection.
The Brumbies finisher, who was in superb form during last season's Super Rugby tournament, is set to offer Robbie Deans another wing option.
And Speight is eager to make the step up, with Australia readying themselves for a big year of Rugby Championship, a British and Irish Lions tour and end-of-year internationals to boot.
"The huge confidence booster for me was watching Joe and Moggy and knowing my fellow back-three teammates could get there," the Fijian born player revealed to the Canberra Times.
"It has given me the confidence that if I can do the same or better than what I did last year, I can be pushing for a spot on that right wing.
"[Brumbies coach Jake White] has told me he wants to make me a Wallaby and my job is to believe in that 100 per cent."
What has also given the 24-year-old confidence is knowing that fellow Fijian Joe Rokocoko made the step up internationally across the Tasman.
"My first goal for this year is to be in the starting team each week and from that score more tries and try to get a championship with the Brumbies - that's the ultimate goal," he added.
"I would love to lift the title this year and if we do everything right at the Brumbies, then higher honours with the Wallabies will take care of itself."
Comments
three6three6 says...
Well Trinats 2 this is an interesting comment from you....
"What's so wrong with New Zealand that they all want to leave and be Australian ???"
You should know that New Zealanders can not simply arrive in Australia and become Australians! We will see the anomaly where resident New Zealanders will be qualified to play rugby for Australia on residential grounds.... BUT never qualify for Australian Citizenship.
The reason why so many second string professional rugby players have decided to play in Australia is simply because that is where they can find work.... Regarding the bigger question - why are so many New Zealanders moving to Australia? Well many of them are economic migrants who again see Australia as offering greater opportunities than New Zealand does at the moment. If I was Australian I would not have any problem with them - after all they will pay their taxes; will never become Australian Citizens (unless they go through the 'skilled migration process' to obtain permanent residency) and will therefore never qualify to vote in State or Commonwealth elections..... and when they misbehave they can be deported back to New Zealand (since they are not Australian Citizens). This is not a bad risk reward profile...
Posted 04:55 01st February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
I thought this was about a certain Dunedin ale for a second.
Posted 17:26 25th January 2013
melkdave says...
@Trinats2
I dont think theres anything wrong about NZtbh.But you have to admit the competion for S15 places in NZ is alot harder than it is in Australia.Players will move to further their ambitions and so they can make a living,thats just human nature ,and thus the influx of kiwis to oz atm
Posted 11:58 22nd January 2013
Trinats2 says...
ben7:
Quite evident with the amount of Kiwis moving here each week !!! What's so wrong with New Zealand that they all want to leave and be Australian ???
Posted 22:22 21st January 2013
martinmarais78 says...
Pieter De Villiers younger version?
Posted 17:28 21st January 2013
ruck_man7 says...
you got your work cut out for you bro. Sky's the limit! Hope you continue the streak of fine performances you put in for the brumbies last year.
All the best in this years comp.
Vakanuinui vinaka!
Posted 11:32 21st January 2013
ben7 says...
Savea is Samoan, not Fijian.
Anyway, the Wallabies will take anything they can get their hands on at the moment
Posted 09:59 21st January 2013