Kepu pumped up to take on All Blacks - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Kepu pumped up to take on All Blacks

By Adrian Warren 07/10/2010 04:53:37 PM Comments (0)

Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu has performed the famous Haka, now he wants the chance to stand against it in an Australian jersey.

Kepu 24, was named in this week's Wallabies 40-man training squad prior to the seven-match Spring Tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

Waratah's star Kepu had the choice of playing for three different countries and has already represented two.

Born in Australia of Tongan parents and raised in New Zealand, Kepu represented the Kiwis at under-17, 19 and 21 levels, before moving across the Tasman to join NSW.

The Sydney-born prop's decision paid off after making three Test appearances for the country of his birth over the last two years.

His parents still live in New Zealand and Kepu would love the opportunity to play against the mighty All Blacks.

Australia's first Tour game will be a Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand in Hong Kong.

"Once upon a time I was coming up through the (in New Zealand) grades doing the Haka at the beginning of the game," Kepu told AAP on Thursday.

"Having to oppose the Haka is something I look forward to doing one day and I'll work towards trying to put myself in the best position to come up against them."

While his family left Sydney when he was just three months old, Kepu always knew that didn't preclude him from playing for the country of his birth.

"There was always sort of a wildcard, something I had up my sleeve," Kepu said.

"It's not to say that I didn't enjoy playing in New Zealand or (I was) running away.

"I got injured playing for (New Zealand side) Counties in the first round of 2007 and missed the whole season and I wasn't in the position to be selected in Super 14 and was given an opportunity by (then Waratahs coach) Ewen McKenzie at the end of 2007 and debuted (for NSW) in 2008.

"It's chasing your dream and the opportunity to play rugby full time. It's something I've always wanted to do is be a professional rugby player."

Kepu's promising career has been stalled by a number of untimely injuries.

He missed most of the 2007 New Zealand season, made a late start to 2009 after suffering pectoral damage on the 2008 Spring Tour and missed the latter stages of the 2010 Super campaign and the Wallabies inbound and Tri-Nations program with a torn calf.

"It's always been a big goal for me to complete a Super 14 and push for the Tri-Nations and inbound Tests unfortunately I haven't been able to do that this year and last year."

He could be forgiven for thinking he has entered rugby's equivalent of Groundhog Day. For the last three years, he has suffered a Sydney club grand final loss, only to be lifted the following day by news of his selection in the Wallabies training camp.

The squad will be cut to 36 next week, with at least one prop likely to be cut.

Also vying for the prop spot are Ben Alexander, Ben Daley, Salesi Ma'afu and Benn Robinson and James Slipper.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

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