Vickerman opts for home role
2008-02-05 09:44
Sydney - Dan Vickerman is still firmly in the Rugby World Cup plans of Wallaby coach Robbie Deans, despite the Waratahs lock having said he would leave Australia to live and play in England after this year.
It was initially thought Vickerman, 28, would seek an early release from his Australian Rugby Union contract, but he confirmed on Monday he would play out the year in Australia, and hopefully with the Wallabies.
Deans clearly views Vickerman as an essential player for both the long and short term. The Wallabies coach told the Herald on Monday he had spoken with Vickerman about his intentions and that he thought the 52-Test veteran was a vital component for Australia this year as well as for the 2011 World Cup.
The Crusaders coach also said that being away from Australia would not hinder Vickerman's World Cup ambitions on his return from England, where he will play and continue his studies.
"I had a conversation with Dan," Deans said. "His move is a lifestyle thing. He wants to study and get the life experience. But he is still going to be a young man when he returns, and more experienced. History would suggest experience is valuable, particularly in the big events. He will make that choice but is not going to suffer for the experience."
Deans clearly seems to have no problem considering selecting a player who has declared his intent to leave his country at the end of the season - especially when it is a player as talented as Vickerman. "Crikey no," said Deans when quizzed on the topic. "You have to live in the moment and make the most of it."
Vickerman has never wavered in his decision to move to England, but Deans's position should comfort the lock in that he had not harmed his Wallabies ambitions.
While focused on Waratahs' Super 14 campaign that begins on Saturday week against the Hurricanes in Sydney, Vickerman still wants to play for Australia this year and possibly after his return from England in the World Cup.
"You always want to play for your country," he said. "And it is a pretty exciting time for rugby in Australia. If I get that opportunity I will grab it with both hands and run."
He also admitted the chance to play under Deans, who has coached the Crusaders to four Super titles, was an added incentive. "It will be something quite special," Vickerman said. "I am pretty excited about it. I have to play well in the Super 14, so the focus is there at the moment. But I am still excited about what may be later on in the year."
And while the next World Cup is four years away in New Zealand, Vickerman appreciated that his sabbatical from Australian rugby would not close the door on his playing a part in that tournament.
"It will be a good opportunity to put my Wallaby career on hold," he said. "If the opportunity arises again in a couple of years I would love to do that. But at the moment the focus is on 2008 and working hard towards that."
Vickerman, who was named in the Waratahs starting XV for Thursday night's trial against the Crusaders at the Sydney Football Stadium, is not short of motivation for the Super 14. He said to take part in an elusive Waratahs Super Rugby title victory before leaving would be "right up there" in his career, adding it "will be a pretty rewarding and special period".
The Waratahs have picked their strongest possible team for the match. The 27-man squad has 13 Wallabies in it, including Rocky Elsom in what will be the loose forward's first game of the season.
Out injured are flyhalf Luke Burgess (head knock), fullback Sam Norton-Knight (thigh), loose forward David Lyons (ankle) and wing Lote Tuqiri (respiratory complaint) - although Norton-Knight and Tuqiri, who has had minor surgery to unblock his breathing passage, are expected to be available for the Super 14 opener.