Deans gives the nod to Vickerman - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Deans gives the nod to Vickerman

By Adrian Warren 15/08/2008 12:13:13 AM Comments (0)

Recalled Wallabies lock Daniel Vickerman has declared himself "ready to go" after regaining his starting spot in Australia's side for next week's Tri Nations rugby Test in Durban.

Coach Robbie Deans revealed the South African born second rower would replace long time lock partner Nathan Sharpe in the run on side to face the Springboks.

Injury kept Test regular Vickerman out of Australia's first four Tests of the current campaign, however the 204cm lineout ace made his international return off the bench in the two recent tussles against New Zealand.

"I think I'm pretty fine, I've had a couple of (club) games with Sydney University and I played a bit of time in the last two Tests against the All Blacks, I'm ready to go," Vickerman said.

The experienced second rower played 18 minutes in Australia's 34-19 win in Sydney and 37 in their 39-10 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland the following week.

While he was on the field for less than half the game, Vickerman still expected some responsibility for Australia's sub-standard lineout performance in Auckland, where they lost eight balls on their own throw.

"As a (lineout) caller you always take an extra little bit of responsibility and maybe some of the calls I made probably weren't up to scratch," Vickerman said.

"As a collective group we let ourselves down a little bit, but there's no need to re-invent the wheel, we back our system and we back what we've got in place.

"There's no need to cry over spilt milk, we had a bad night at the office and if that requires the caller to take responsibility, then I'm happy to do that, but we will bounce back and we will bounce back well."

With Sharpe omitted from the 28 man squad for South Africa, Vickerman will start alongside James Horwill in Durban on August 23.

Dean Mumm and Hugh McMeniman are vying for a blindside flanker spot as well and provide backup for the second row.

McMeniman said he had been training a bit more in the second row, where he hasn't played on a regular basis since 2006.

The big Queenslander said he was definitely disappointed at not being called up to replace Elsom in Australia's last Test, but like Sharpe could benefit from Elsom's upcoming stint overseas.

"I suppose I might get a chance in the future with Rocky (Elsom) going overseas," McMeniman said.

"Because I didn't make it then, doesn't mean I can't make it in the future. I guess I've just got to find out why that is and change it."

He said he would like the chance to start against the Springboks backrow as they were a physical combination and that was the way he liked to play.

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