Davis to showcase skill in Test debut - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Davis to showcase skill in Test debut

By Darren Walton 16/07/2011 01:08:19 PM Comments (0)

Speed kills - just ask the Blues and Crusaders - but "Rocket" Rod Davies is intent on showing he's no one-trick Wallaby when he makes his long-awaited Test debut on Sunday.

Davies earned a late call-up for Australia's season-opening international against Samoa after winger James O'Connor was ruled out on Saturday with a hamstring strain.

Ironically, it was Davies' own hamstring issues last season that prevented the 22-year-old flyer from breaking into the Test arena much earlier.

"But obviously it's happened now and I'm just going to run with it," Davies said after Saturday's captain's run at ANZ Stadium.

And, oh, how this kid can run.

The former junior sprint star - and graduate from the same Ipswich Grammer School from where Berrick Barnes hails - boasts a blistering PB of 10.8 seconds over 100 metres.

"I guess it can bring a little bit of an x-factor there, but obviously guys like Kurtley Beale are as quick as me and have got skills as well," Davies modestly said.

"So I've got to work on a lot of other parts of my game. I don't want to be known as a guy with out-and-out speed. I want to be known for a bit more than that as well."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has no doubts he can - and had no hesitation rushing the Queensland speedster into his starting line-up after watching Davies excel during the Reds' triumphant Super Rugby finals campaign.

The 2010 Wallabies spring tourist became the first Reds player ever to post a Super Rugby hat-trick in Queensland's semi-final defeat of the Blues and also shone in last Saturday night's final victory over the Crusaders.

"He's had his frustrations through Super Rugby, but he got back in shape and contributed significantly through the playoffs," Deans said.

"And he'll want to turn this opportunity into becoming a regular Test player, I'd imagine.

"To do that, to be a Test player, clearly you've got to be good for every element of the game and he'll be willing to show that he is.

"He'll obviously be looking for involvement, both in attack and defence."

Fellow winger Digby Ioane is the only other Queensland player starting on Sunday, with Deans preferring to rest most of the Reds' heroes.

But, despite his unexpected promotion, Davies insisted he was 100 per cent ready for the Samoans.

"My goal at the start of the year was to have a good Super Rugby campaign and get selected in this 40-man squad," he said.

"But to make my run-on Test debut was just a dream and it's come true."

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