Wallabies tour make or break for Hoiles - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Wallabies tour make or break for Hoiles

By Samantha Broun 06/10/2009 07:46:21 PM Comments (0)

Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles believes his recall to the Wallabies training squad is his last chance to revive his stop-start international rugby career.

Hoiles has been left in the Wallabies wilderness for over a year since playing the last of his 13-Tests in the green and gold jersey against France in June 2008.

The versatile back-rower, who also provides a genuine and reliable option in the lineout, recently led Randwick to the Shute Shield grand final and enjoyed a consistent season with the Brumbies in his first year at the helm.

Holies is desperate to earn a Wallabies recall ahead of his 28th birthday next week.

"I've had a few opportunities in the past and maybe one of my downfalls was thinking too far ahead," Hoiles told AAP on Tuesday.

"What I've really tried to do this year, whether it be a Super 14 game or a club game, is just treat that game as if it's the most important game of your year.

"It's funny how the game can turn on you and one bad performance can do so much to your career.

"I personally just can't afford to look forward beyond tomorrow, first and foremost I've just got to get into that (touring) squad."

Hoiles will learn his fate on Friday when coach Robbie Deans cuts his 43-player training squad to 35 for the upcoming grand slam tour, which also includes a Test against New Zealand in Tokyo on October 31.

As Deans builds toward his ultimate goal of winning the rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011, Hoiles said he needed to hear his name read out on Friday otherwise he'd assume France 2007 would be his only tilt at winning the Webb Ellis Cup.

"I do look at this as a make or break tour for me because if you're not involved in the Tests all year and you're not needed, chances are you're not in the framework for 2011 World Cup," he said.

"You may get a call up next year but I'm treating this as one of my last opportunities.

"If I get my opportunity I'll do everything I can to make the most of it because time goes by pretty quick and you realise you've been in and out and it's not how you would have liked but still there's plenty of time left."

Ahead of Thursday's highly anticipated inter squad trial, Hoiles said he had been mixing it up at training playing at blind and openside flanker and No.8.

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