Sharpe ready to prove a point
Wallaby second row Nathan Sharpe has said the hurt of being dropped by Robbie Deans will fuel his fire when Australia clash with New Zealand on Saturday.
Wallaby second row Nathan Sharpe has said the hurt of being dropped by Robbie Deans will fuel his fire when Australia clash with New Zealand on Saturday.
Sharpe, a veteran of 70 Tests, admitted it took him more than a day to pick himself up after Deans opted to leave him at home for Australia's two-Test tour to South Africa.
Having been in the side that lost 39-10 against New Zealand Sharpe found himself out in the cold, only to be called up as a replacement during the Wallabies' tour – although he did not feature.
While he was dropped to the bench in 2003, it was the first time the 30-year-old has been cut from the Australian 22 since his debut.
“It hurt, it hurt a lot,” Sharpe told AAP.
“I guess that has made me more determined to get back into the team and be it this weekend, be it the November tour or be it next year, I'll set myself that goal. There's no point lying around and feeling sorry for yourself.
“It took me a day or so to get back on deck but once I was I made resolutions to myself to get back to where I wanted to be and time is the only thing that is going to tell when that is firstly, or if that is.
“I'll be working hard and when I get that opportunity I'll certainly make the most of it.”
Early indications suggest Sharpe could come straight into the side for Saturday's vital showdown, and is expected to replace Hugh McMeniman.
McMeniman was by no means out of sorts in the record 53-8 defeat against South Africa, but Sharpe's experience and leadership skills give him an edge in the pack.
Sharpe was originally cut by coach Robbie Deans when Dan Vickerman returned from injury to partner rising 22-year-old James Horwill.
The Western Force second row has admitted it was tough sat watching his friends and team-mates as they slumped to a huge defeat.
“It was a very emotional night for me, to be watching the guys and knowing what they were going through,” Sharpe said.
“But the one thing I know about this team, I know there's a lot of resolution.”
Sharpe predicted a “torrid” winner-takes-all clash with the Wallabies revved up to make the Springbok loss ancient history.
“It may have been a big score over there but I don't think it counts for anything this weekend against the All Blacks and the 15 or 22 guys who will take the field will be stinging from that game and they will certainly let that be known,” he said.
“If you win the Tri-Nations everyone forgets about that sort of stuff.”